Are you having trouble finding the perfect water heater for you? You have nothing to worry about because you have so many options for water heaters.
Don’t worry if it’s going to fit in your house or fill your demands of hot water, for it comes with many types. You can carefully investigate each water heater types’ features and decide which one suits you the best.
Common Water Heater Types:
- Conventional storage water heaters – It offers a ready storage tank for your hot water.
- Tankless or on-demand type water heaters – It takes up much less space than storage water heaters. Besides heating water directly without a storage tank becomes impossible.
- Heat pump water heaters – It also referred to as “air-source heat pumps.” It absorbs heat from the air and surrounding then transfers it to heat water.
- Solar water heaters– It captures sunlight to heat water. If you are looking for an economical way to generate hot water for your family for shower and bath, you can count on it.
Important points to consider when selecting a new water heater:
Fuel types and it’s availability and cost
The energy source or fuel type you use for water heating will affect it’s annual operation costs, energy efficiency, and size. I’m sure you don’t want to buy a water heater that you can’t use. Perhaps choosing the wrong water heater fuel type can lead to that. Some fuel types are not available in specific locations. Therefore, it’s essential to check it’s availability in your area.
Here are some of the water heater fuel types:
- Electricity. Most water heater types use the energy source from electricity and are the most widely distributed in the US.
- Fuel Oil – This energy source is only available to selected areas in the United States. It powers complicated combination water heating systems and conventional storage water heater.
- Geothermal Energy – This type of energy source is available throughout the United States. You can typically find it in houses that use a geothermal heat pump AC system.
- Natural Gas and Propane – These energy sources are available in many areas of the United States. Yet, it’s always best to check if your location is included in that list.
- Solar – This fuel type is available throughout the US but is more abundant in the Southwest region.
Size
It is vital to have the right water size in your household to ensure that you always have enough hot water in your taps. For a home that consists of 2 to 3 people, it’s recommended to have a water heater that can produce 40-50 gallons of warm water. If you’re not sure about what water heater size you should pick, it’s best to consult a qualified contractor.
Energy Efficiency
Check first the water heater’s energy efficiency. Why? It is to maximize your energy and cost savings before purchasing. Perhaps a water heater type with a high-efficiency rate can save you more money than other models.
Cost
What’s about the cost? Well, before purchasing a new water heater, it is best to estimate its water heater’s yearly operating expenses. Try to compare those costs with other less or more energy-efficient models. By doing this, you can make a wiser decision on most likely purchase the best water heater.
When choosing the best water heater for households, browsing through different sites is worth it. Surely, you will find an offer with good deals and provide reviews in different water heater brands. By doing so, you can gain more understanding and knowledge about the best water heater. Other consideration includes making it sure that you don’t end up buying a water heater based on price comparison only.