How To Choose A New Water Heater
There are few appliances in your home that are as easy to forget about as your water heater. However, that out of sight, out of mind, attitude disappears when you are bathing in cold water. Suddenly, you need to know about water heaters. And you need to select a new one very quickly. But before you rush to call a plumber and purchase whatever that company happens to recommend, you should know a little bit about this vital appliance and the technology that is available. Understanding your options will help you make the best selection for your home.
The Two Big Choices
When you are looking at water heaters, two main categories cover all of your options. The first is considered to be a traditional or conventional water heater. These are the ones that almost everyone had in their home growing up. There is a large holding tank where the water is heated and stored until you turn on a faucet and create a demand for hot water somewhere in your house. These units can operate on electricity or use gas to heat the water.
One of the most significant benefits of selecting a conventional water heater is that your home is most likely plumbed for this type of unit. In most cases, a plumber can easily remove your damaged or worn-out water heater and install the new unit using much of the same piping. In addition, these water heaters are among the least expensive on the market.
The most significant drawback to conventional water heaters is their inefficiency. Keeping 50 to 100 gallons of water hot at all hours of the day and night is not energy efficient. And it is also not cost-effective for you. Traditional water heaters will cost you more to operate, which is the monetary negative to the more affordable purchase price. And finally, your hot water supply is limited by the size of the tank on your water heater.
The New Twist
Your other option when looking for a replacement water heater is the tankless style. These water heaters are exactly what the name implies, tankless. Instead of heating water in a holding tank, these units heat water only when there is a demand for it. So when you turn on a hot water faucet or your shower, water is heated as it flows through the pipes. As you might imagine, this process requires far less energy than keeping a tank of water hot 24/7.
Energy efficiency is undoubtedly one of the more significant benefits of a tankless water heater. Not only is it reducing your home’s carbon footprint, but it is also saving you money on your energy bills. However, there is a financial downside to installing a tankless water heater. You are going to pay more for the unit and to have it installed if your current water heater is a traditional model.
You might also be surprised to learn that even though this water heater uses less energy than conventional models, it offers you unlimited hot water for the most part. As long as you have a faucet open, a tankless water heater will continue to heat water as it flows to the tap. You are not limited to a specific quantity, as is the case with traditional water heaters. And just like traditional models, tankless water heaters are available in gas or electric.
When you have questions about the performance of your current water heater or know that it needs to be replaced, all you need to do is call (301) 278-8786. A A Better Plumber team member will answer all of your questions and can schedule a free, no-obligation appointment with one of our licensed plumbers. Our plumber will then be able to provide you with the precise cost of specific units that will meet your needs for hot water and work in your household budget.
And to make this process as easy and stress-free as possible, we offer appointments in the evening and one the weekends. You will also be happy to know that when you have no hot water or a water leak, our pros are available 24/7 to assist you. Just give us a call at (301) 278-8786 and know that we will provide you with the information and answers you need regarding a new water heater for your home. And we never charge extra fees for nights and weekends because we know that your home just can’t function without hot water. But you should not have to pay a penalty when you need our services at an unusual hour. At A Better Plumber, we are here for you day and night because we appreciate your business.
