How to Choose the Right Water Heater?

Answer 1

There are several different options when you need to replace your home’s water heater. Each type of heater has different benefits that may or may not fit your needs. Think about the priorities you have in mind for your water heater, then choose the one that matches those priorities the most closely.

Electric Water Heaters

Electric water heaters include large tanks filled with water that is constantly heated by an electrical heating element. They tend to consume less energy than gas water heaters because the electrical element is not continuously burning the way that a gas heater’s pilot light is. The only trouble with electric water heaters is that they can take a long time to heat the water when they are completely drained. They are not ideal for large families who may need a lot of hot water at the same time.

Natural Gas Water Heaters

Gas powered hot water heaters are configured the same way electric heaters are. They have large tanks of water that is kept hot and ready for use. Gas water heaters tend to consume more energy than other options, however, because they must be kept lit at all times to maintain effectiveness. The water heats more quickly with a gas water heater, though. Sometimes a gas water heater can require more maintenance than an electric option because the pilot light has a tendency to go out. The homeowner must light the pilot in order to make sure that there is hot water available for the home.

Tankless Water Heaters

Used as a standard form of water heater throughout Europe, tankless water heaters don’t require the use of a tank of water at all. They are installed in the same area that a hot water tank would be installed, but they contain a quick heating element that heats the water on demand. There is no danger of ever running out of hot water because the water is heated when the hot water tap is turned on anywhere in the house. Tankless water heaters are the most energy efficient option because they don’t keep a large quantity of water heated constantly the way the other types of water heaters do.

Answer 2

A home wouldn’t be a home without hot water. A shower can go from the most relaxing part of the day to the most unpleasant when hot water is taken out of the equation. Hot water is a basic necessity for cooking and cleaning, and few people would relish the chance to live without it. Choosing between the various types of water heaters can be a major chore if you don’t know what you’re doing. Here are some tips to make the search that much easier.

The most basic type are electric water heaters. These are the most common type and the ones found in most homes these days. However, just because they are so common, it doesn’t mean they are the best. They are notoriously heavy on the electric bill and they vary when it comes to how quickly they can heat the water. The main downfall is this expense, though newer models can be found rated with Energy Star, meaning they use as little electricity as possible when heating the water.

You might prefer to go with one of the solar water heaters on the market. These appliances use the power of the sun to heat the water, drawing solar power in and creating their own electricity. These appliances are by far the cheapest to run, though experiences may differ when it comes to how effective they are. Since they derive their power from the sun, it helps if you live in an area that has a lot of sunshine. Florida is a good place for a solar water heater. Seattle, not so much.

Gas water heaters are the final basic type, and it will depend on your house whether you can get gas piped in to power such a tank. These heaters are commonly found in older houses, though their age does not necessarily betray their efficiency. Many owners have found that gas heaters work much more quickly than electric or solar powered ones.

Water heaters are not cheap by any means, which is all the more reason why you should do some basic research before laying down the cash. Living without hot water is no way to live at all, so make sure you get a heater that will last.