How To Choose the Right Water Heater for Your Home

Your water heater plays a vital role in your home, providing hot water for washing dishes, clothes, and bathing. To do this, it can take up to 20% of your household’s annual energy expenditure, making it the   second largest utility expense  in the home after heating and cooling. For this reason, you want to ensure you get the best, but how can you tell which is the best? Whether you’re looking to replace an existing water heater or install a new one, you need to know the available water heater types and choose the right size for your home. In this post, we will share a few tips on how to choose a water heater to ensure you get a reliable and steady supply of hot water.

It’s a good idea to know the different water heater types and choose what works for your home. There are conventional heat pumps, solar tanks, and tankless water heaters. However, traditional tanks and modern tankless water heaters are the most common types. When you choose a tank water heater, your water stays warm and remains stored in a vast metal cylinder until you or your family needs it. The tankless system, on the other hand, warms water on demand. They don’t come with massive tanks for storing water. They cost more, but they last longer than tank water systems.

The fuel source is another critical consideration when choosing a water heater. You can choose natural gas, liquid propane, oil, and electric water heaters. However, the most common types are natural gas water heaters and electric water heaters. Natural gas water heaters generate hot water quickly and come in all sizes and models. However, they do require venting through a chimney or wall. Electric water heaters are more popular as they are easy to install and don’t require any form of venting.

The water heater’s EF is also a crucial feature to consider when purchasing a water heater.  The United States Department of Energy provides EF ratings  to determine each water heater’s energy efficiency. These ratings range from 0.5 to 2.0. The higher the EF, the more efficient the unit is. This rating is measured based on the efficiency with which heat is applied to water. The EF also considers the amount of heat lost when the water moves through the unit and the percentage of heat lost each hour the heat is stored.

Before buying a specific water heater, it’s prudent to check the buying price and factor in the annual operating cost. Calculate these costs and compare them against other less or more energy-efficient models. Don’t forget to add the installation cost based on the type of water heater and the labor cost in your area.

Lastly, find a licensed water heater expert in your area to help you determine the size and type of water heater to buy. If you’re located in Lawton, MI, All Brands Heating and Cooling can help you get the right water heater for your home.  Contact us  today to schedule your appointment.

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