5 Things You Need to Know Before Buying a Water Heater

September 17, 2024

Selecting a new water heater is a major decision, mainly because it plays a vital role in the comfort of your home, affecting energy efficiency. Whether you’re upgrading an old unit or installing a new one, making an informed choice is vital. Here are five essential aspects to pay attention to before buying a water heater, with common questions whose answers will guide your decision.

1. Source of Fuel

Selecting the Fuel Option:

The first thing to do when selecting a water heater is to determine what kind of fuel your home uses. The two most dominant fuel sources for residential water heaters are gas and electricity:

• Gas Water Heaters: If the current water heater is gas-fed, check to see if it uses natural gas or propane. Purchasing a gas water heater is generally more expensive than an electric model but less costly to operate. They do require good ventilation to be safe and to function well. Because they tend to be more economical over a longer period, many people favor this type of water heater.
• Electric Water Heaters: These are generally less expensive upfront and less complicated to install. Typically, their operating costs are higher due to the cost of electricity. Are you considering electric? It would help if you remembered that you’ll be using more electricity than you’re used to and, therefore, ensure that you have electrical capacity adequate to handle the new unit.

Key Takeaway:

Make sure to buy a water heater compatible with your home’s existing fuel source, or be prepared to make adjustments if you choose to switch.

2. Energy Efficiency

Why Efficiency Matters:

Water heaters are one of the biggest energy consumers within a household. So, you have to be keen on selecting an energy-efficient model, as this can significantly impact utility bills. Make sure to check the Energy Factor EF rating for the different units. The EF rating represents the amount of energy from each water heater that actually goes into heating the water because of how much heat the water heater can retain during standby periods.

• High-EF Ratings: A high rating means that a unit operates more efficiently and will be cheaper to operate over time.
• Federal Standards: All new water heaters must meet strict federal standards for energy, so generally, you can expect modern models to be more efficient than older ones.

Key Takeaway:

If you want to save energy consumption to lower your operating costs in the long term, choose a water heater with a high EF rating.

Storage Type

Tank vs. Tankless

As far as storage is concerned, there are two major ways:

• Tank Storage Water Heaters: These are the traditional types that carry a big tank to store hot water continuously. Every time you open a faucet, hot water is siphoned from the top of the tank and replaced by cold water from the bottom of the unit. Modern tank models, however, save more energy and reduce the loss of heat compared to the old units.
• Tankless Water Heaters: Also referred to as on-demand, these units heat water directly as it flows through the system and do not require a storage tank. This means you never run out of hot water, and energy isn’t wasted keeping a tank of hot water. They may, however, have a limited flow rate, which can be of concern in a large household with high hot water demand.

Key Takeaway:

Tankless water heaters may be more energy-efficient and provide a constant supply of hot water, but based on how much hot water your household demands each day, you have to decide if a tankless will actually satisfy your wants.

4. Storage Capacity

Choosing the Right Size:

Storage capacity is another key factor you should take note of when choosing a water heater suitable for your home. In the case of tank water heaters, you may consider the following:

• First-Hour Rating: The number of gallons of hot water the heater can supply during any given hour when there is continuous demand for hot water. It should provide an idea of whether or not the unit will be able to meet the needs of one’s household.
• Rating by Gallons-Per-Minute: This is the quantity of hot water delivered within a minute by the tankless water heater. The larger your household, or with multiple hot water outlets in the home, the higher the GPM-rated unit you may require or the installation of multiple units for your needs.

Key Takeaway:

Calculate how much hot water your household uses and look for a water heater with the appropriate capacity to supply enough hot water but not so much that you’ll run out.

5. Space Requirements

Fit Your Space:

Among other things, consider the physical size and where you will install your water heater:

• Standard Tanks: Remember, a typical tank-style water heater can be quite large. Make sure the area in which you intend to install the unit can accommodate it well.
• Lowboys/Short Tanks: These tanks are shorter but wider than standard tanks. They’re great for those areas that don’t have much room for headspace, like crawl spaces or under cabinets.
• Tankless Models: These can be installed on walls and occupy very little space, thus ideal for small spaces.

Key Takeaway:

It is very crucial to consider the space available that one is willing to dedicate prior to purchasing a water heater. One wants the unit to fit right, plus access to installation and maintenance in the future.

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