What To Look For When Buying A New Water Heater

Imagine standing under a shower with hot water hitting you from head to toe relaxing all your muscles. The hot water falling over you eases away all your stress leaving you comforted and relaxed. But you wouldn’t want all of this at the cost of high power bills. Have you ever thought that buying the right kind of water heater can reduce your annual electricity costs (provided you maintain them efficiently)? Most of you think of buying a new water heater only when your current one stops functioning. You then make an emergency purchase without doing adequate research. There are many types of water heaters in the market and each one comes with a set of unique features. 
 
Types of Water Heaters

• Tankless Water Heaters

As the name suggests, these water heaters don’t have a storage tank. They are small and are  usually mounted on a wall. They are known to be energy efficient as there is no hot water storage facility. There are various models of tankless water heaters based on the type of fuel used – electric, LP and gas.

• Conventional Storage Water Heaters

These water heaters have a storage tank and provide a ready source of hot water all the time. Conventional storage water heaters can work on electricity, oil, and gas. They come in various models depending on the size of the storage tank (20-80 gallons of water storage). Water constantly gets heated when the water heater is in use, hence, they are not considered energy efficient.

• Heat Pump Water Heaters

They move heat from one place to another using electricity. Unlike other water heaters, they don’t generate heat directly. Heat Pump Water heaters work most efficiently when placed in hot places. These water heaters will not function properly in cold areas.

• Solar Water Heaters

These water heaters use solar energy to heat water. They are the most energy efficient water heaters among other types. But these water heaters need sufficient sunlight to function effectively and thus, they are not preferred in regions which receive less sunlight.
 
Criteria for Buying a New Water Heater: 

• Hot Water Capacity

You need to be aware of the First Hour Rating (FHR) of a water heater. It is usually mentioned on the energy guide label. The FHR will help you decide if the water heater can meet your peak hour demands. Water heaters using gas units have higher FHRs.

• Energy Efficiency

No one likes high energy bills. It is, therefore, important to determine which water heater will consume less fuel and provide maximum hot water in a stipulated amount of time. 

• Costs

Another criterion for buying a new water heater is its price and the cost of lifetime maintenance. It is ideal to invest in a water heater which requires minimal maintenance and operates effectively for many years.  

• Fuel Type

With the help of our professional Edmonton hot water tank installers, you can determine which fuel type to opt for while buying a new water heater.
 
At Hot water Tanks Edmonton, we provide comprehensive hot water tank installation, repair and replacement services. We can help you decide which water heater will be suitable for you. To know more about our services, get in touch with us today!