How to Buy a Hot Water Heater

From LoveToKnow Buy

Even if you are pretty home and gadget-savvy, you may be wondering how to buy a hot water heater. It's not easy picking a hot water heater, particularly because each brand of water heater provides multiple model options for the casual consumer, with special additions and features as well as differing prices.

Don't Wait

A lot of people wait to purchase a hot water heater until their old one breaks, much like purchasing a washing machine, toilet, or bathroom faucet. If you do this, it's almost certain that you won't save the kind of money you want to on a hot water heater. When you're in a rush to purchase a new item and get it installed, price comparison will surely suffer. Get educated now to save significantly on your hot water heater.

Learn How to Buy a Hot Water Heater

If you're wondering how to buy a hot water water, it's important to know what kind of hot water heaters are available to purchase.

Storage Water Heaters

This type of water heater is the most popular type in the United States. It can hold anything from 20 to 80 gallons and uses a heating system of electricity, propane, natural gas, or electricity. With current developments, storage water heaters have reduced the amount of standby heat loss, which used to be more significant as water is continually heated.

Demand Water Heaters

Some water heaters eliminate storage tanks all together, which can reduce your energy use even more than the improved storage water heaters. If you aren't going to require the use of hot water for simultaneous laundry and bathing, a demand hot water heater may be just what you need. They can usually heat water at a rate of two to four gallons per minute. Demand hot water heaters using a pilot light still use energy, but a very small amount.

Heat Pump Water Heaters

Heat pump water heaters do not generate heat directly but use electricity to conduct heat. While these heaters will not function well in a cold space, they are a good option for those who can provide a stable environment. They also have a higher cost for initial installation than other heating systems.

Indirect Water Heaters

Indirect water heaters heat water by circulating it in the boiler part of the heater, and then stores the water in an insulated tank afterwards. This system is effective and more inexpensive in comparison to many other water heater types.

Determine Your Capacity Needs

Using the First Hour Rating (FHR), you should base your purchase on your hot water heater's ability to deliver hot water during a busy time. If you can estimate your household's needs for a heavy hour of use, you can compare costs according to the heaters' Energy Guide labels.

Know Your Heater Efficiency Needs

Check out your heater's Energy Factor. The higher the rating, the more efficient your heater. While there are gas, oil, heat pump, and electric resistance models, each particular model can differ greatly. For example, while you are shopping for electric heaters, you'll see that they can range anywhere from .7 to .95 in EF.

Check Your Warranty

You'll probably notice that your hot water heater options come in different yearly warranties, such as six and twelve years. This can be pretty confusing, but it helps to know what is included. Instead of springing for a hot water heater with a longer warranty, try investing in one that features a full-length outlet rod found in the hot port, which will ensure more reliable functioning than a hot water heater with a half-length outlet rod. Even if you don't know anything about hot water heaters, you can simply ask and jot down the information to find a hot water heater that will last longer.