A water heater is very important, especially for homes located in colder countries. As its name suggests, it provides hot water for cleaning, bathing, washing hands, and more, helping our body function properly, especially during the cold season. And, of course, it also gives convenience as you won’t need to manually heat water.
Since its invention, it has become a staple in many homes in cold countries in different parts of the world. However, choosing a heater can be a bit of a challenge as the market is filled to the brim with many types of water heaters.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s what you should look for in a water heater.
Energy Efficiency
We use heated water nearly for everything, especially during colder months. For washing hands, washing the dishes, cooking, bathing, and even cleaning. Because of that, it can also cause higher electric bills.
Luckily, no water heaters are created equal. While there are high energy-consuming water heaters, there are still energy-efficient ones that you can find in the market, which will help you save more money in the long run.
The best part of it is that the federal government grants homeowners tax credits depending on your heater’s energy factor or thermal efficiency. For propane, oil, and gas-fueled water heaters, having an energy factor equal to or more than .82, or thermal energy that’s equal to or more than .90.
Heat pump heaters, on the other hand, must have an energy factor that’s equivalent to or greater than 2.0.
Space Required
Water heaters come in different sizes. So, before you buy your water heater, make sure what size fits your space. This way, it would also be easier to purchase new tanks in case you need to adjust their size. This also determines its capacity. The bigger it is, the more water it will be able to hold. This will also help the heater to meet your demands.
Storage Capacity
Not all water heaters can hold the same amount of heated water. That said, another thing that you should consider when shopping for a water heater is its storage capacity, especially if you have numerous housemates.
Apparently, most tank water heaters in the market these days are rated by the consumers depending on how many gallons they can hold. This is because the bigger its storage capacity is, the more water you or the members of your household can use right away.
To see how much water it can hold, if you have a storage tank heater, check its first-hour and gallons-per-minute rating. This should tell you how fast it can heat and deliver water for a certain period of time.
If you’re planning to buy an on-demand water heater, note that it doesn’t hold any water, as its name suggests. But, its gallons-per-minute rating will indicate its capacity flow.
Fuel Source
Water heaters also have different fuel sources, depending on their type. Knowing what type of fuel it uses will help you know if it’s good for use in your area.
For instance, if you live in areas off the grid, it’s not always a great idea to install electric water heaters. You don’t want to use cold water in case of unexpected power interruptions, right? And if you live far from where you can get gas, then a gas-powered water heater isn’t for you either.
Therefore, before you buy a water heater, make sure to check its fuel source and if it’s abundant in your area. For example, if you are considering propane, you will want to ensure you have a supplier like Kelly Propane local to you. This way, in case the power goes out, you won’t have to worry about how you can heat the water you need to use.
Knowing what source your heater needs to work will also help you determine how much you’ll spend in the long run. This is because gas water heaters cost more upfront but they offset it with a lower operating cost, while electric ones have lower upfront costs but has higher operating costs.
Feedback
Of course, you also need to take a look at what previous users have to say about the model you’re eyeing. This lets you hear unbiased opinions, which could prevent you from spending your money on something that’s not worth it. Additionally, this will let you have a peek at how the model works, especially as time goes by.
It sure can be a bit confusing when shopping for a water heater as there are countless options in the market. But, if you know what to look for, choosing the water heater that’s right for you will be a piece of cake.