What Features To Look Out For When Buying A Water Heater

Water heaters are a must-have appliance for people living in colder regions and currently every household in the Northern Hemisphere as it is winter.

Most homes already have their water heaters installed or had maintenance work done in autumn. However, there are some who didn’t have time until now to look into the matter and are now running around at the last minute to get one. If you already have a hot water heater, but you don’t think it will make it through the winter and need a replacement, then you are also in the same boat.

Do you need a water heater replacement? Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer Inc. offers expert plumbing services in Glenview, IL. Click here to get a free estimate.

For those of you who are under the gun and need to buy a water heater now, do not panic. And absolutely do not get the first model you can get your hands on. Your water heater is an investment that will cater to your hot water needs for years if you make the right choice. “You must choose, but choose wisely.” (Sorry for the Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade reference; couldn’t resist that one.)

Coming back to the issue at hand. While selecting a water heater for your home, there are a few things that you need to take into account. Since we are sure you have no clue what we are talking about, we have already laid out all the facts. Have a look below.

Fuel Type

Does the water heater run on electricity, gas, or solar power? While choosing a water heater, it is imperative to see if you can provide an uninterrupted supply of the fuel needed to heat the water when needed. If you are buying a Solar Water Heater in a place where there are few sunny days or a gas heater in a country with a gas shortage and gas load shedding, then you are wasting your money.

Capacity/Size

Knowing what the size of your water heater is and what capacity of water it can heat at a time is highly important.

Energy Efficiency

Newer models of water heaters are more energy-efficient, and while they might cost more initially, in the long run, they help cut down on the cost by controlling your energy consumption. It is also great for the environment, so there’s that.

Storage

There are two things that you need to consider when perusing over storage:

If you want a water heater with a tank

For example, getting a Tankless Water Heater or On-Demand Water Heater for a household with a substantial demand for hot water will prove costly as the water heater will continuously be working (in other words consuming energy and raising your bills). On the other hand, it is ideal for a single person.

If you can accommodate the kind of water storage it provides

For example, if you live on the fourth floor of an apartment building, then a Combined Space and Water Heating System. However, if you live in a penthouse, have access to the roof, and do not live in an overly cold region, you can consider a Heat Pump Water Heater or Hybrid Water Heater.

Costs

There are two kinds of water heater costs that you need to consider – initial cost (cost of buying the unit and getting it installed in your home) and running cost (maintenance cost and energy consumption that impacts your utility bills).

If you have space, then you can consider getting a Combined Space and Water Heating System – it won’t reduce your energy bills by much but will cut down on the cost of maintaining two separate appliances.

Installation Area

The space you have to install the water heater in can restrict your choice a great deal because you can’t increase the space you have, so you have to choose something that meets your hot water needs and can fit in the designated space in your home.

For example, a Hybrid Water Heater needs a vertical space of around 8ft, and it can’t be placed in the basement, garage, or anywhere in the cold, as it draws heat from the surroundings.

Safety Features

Although water heaters are generally safe, there is no harm in finding out more about what safety features are integrated into your water heater’s design. For example, does it have a safety valve that can be opened to relieve pressure or let out some heat if the temperature gets too high to prevent the water heater from blowing up?

Think everything through before taking your pick because no matter what anyone says, only you know the needs and restrictions of your household and bank account.

Bill’s Plumbing & Sewer Inc. is a fully licensed, bonded, and insured plumbing company that provides water heater installation, maintenance, and replacement to residential and commercial projects in Glenview, IL. Click here to get your free estimate.

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