Selecting a water heater can be tough. There are many brands and models in the market. Big names like Lennox, Carrier, Goodman, Kerprite make the choice even more difficult. The most important thing is to buy a heater that can provide enough hot water for your family. On the other hand, you need a heater to sell you money. We will talk about everything you need to consider before purchasing a heater. Keep reading to make an informed decision.
Different types of water heater
The first and the most significant thing to consider is to know different types of heaters. There are so many different models on the market, so let’s look at what is there.
1. Storage-style heater
As the name suggests, this type of heater has a tank to store hot water. Using this type of heater, you will have about 40 gallons of hot water in-store, even when the power is out. But it means the type of heater consumes more energy because there should always be 40-gallon hot water in the store. So if you are thinking about reducing the cost, you need to think about getting a tankless water heater.
· Tankless water tanks
This type of water heater does not have a tank, so they take less space, and you can also hang them on the wall to have a tidy basement. On the other hand, these heaters only work when you turn the tap on, so they use less energy than traditional storage tank heaters.
· Heat pump water heater
In this type of heater, the heat moves from one place to another to heat water. In this process, the heat is not generated. So this system is highly efficient and cheap.
· Solar water heater
In solar heaters, the sun heats water, so you can also save money on energy bills. Repairing and maintaining this type of heater is expensive.
Important factors to choose the right water heater
This part will talk about some of the most important things to consider before choosing a heater.
1. Size
To select the best heater for your house, you need to know how much water your household needs. So you can pick a properly sized water heater. The size is even more important when choosing tankless or water tank heaters.
Because you need to buy a heater that is not too big for your basement, sometimes a tankless hot water tank is the best choice you have, since you can install them on the wall.
2. Fuel type
Always consider your energy source before buying the heater. The best heater is where you have easy access to the required fuel.
An Electronic heater is a great choice since you have access to it everywhere in the United States.
Fuel oil is not available everywhere in the United States.
Natural gas is also available in many areas of the United States. Propane and solar energy are also available in many areas of the country.
3. Efficiency
The size of your heater plays a very essential role in providing adequate water for the household. You can check the efficiency of different heaters before purchasing one.
4. Budget
To keep the cost within your budget, first, you need to estimate the annual operation, repairing, and maintenance costs of different heaters.
On the other hand, you should think about buying a heater that will reduce the energy cost. Sometimes buying a cheap heater like the traditional water heater is not a good idea, because you might pay less than other heaters to buy this heater. However, in the long term, you are going to pay a lot more to provide the necessary energy. While by choosing a tankless water tank, the initial cost is high, but the energy cost will be reduced.
5. Installation and maintenance cost
You might be an expert plumber who can take care of possible leaks and problems. However, if not, you need to use professional help for constant repairing and maintaining the heater. So before buying your favorite heater, think about ht operation cost. You need to constantly check the unit to ensure there’s no difficulty with it. For instance, a storage-style heater is required to be cleaned twice a year. On the other hand, as tankless water heaters do not have a tank, you do not need to spend much on maintaining them.
What type of heater is good for your house?
There are so many names on the market; everyone claims that their product is perfect, but the only one that knows the truth is you, you and your family are the only ones who are going to live in the house, so you are the persons for determining the type of your heater. Before buying a new heater, think about your needs and preferences. How long are you going to live in that, how? If you are planning to move to a bigger house, it might not be necessary to spend much on a new heater.
How many people spend more hours at home? How often will they be in need of hot water? How many guests do you have in your house normally? How much budget have you planned for buying a heater? Before going to the market and deciding about buying a Noritz, Rinnai, or Navien heater, answer these questions. Then you can ensure that you will buy a water heater that is best for your family. The best choice is a traditional heater for some people, while for others, a tankless water heater is best. Take a look at your lifestyle and needs to find the best heater.