9 Things to Look for in a Water Heater
When it comes to household comfort and energy efficiency, nothing is more important than choosing the correct water heater. With so many choices, it’s crucial to have a good grasp on the various aspects to consider when making a selection. Different brands offer different features and selections, but it’s important to narrow your choices to the ones that will work best for your home. This not only improves your home’s interior comfort but also helps you save money on energy bills. Here are nine important factors to think about when selecting a hot water heater brand.
Why Choosing the Right Water Heater Matters
The water heater you select for your home will directly affect your comfort and convenience. With an effective and properly sized unit, you can be certain that you will always have hot water on hand when needed. Water heaters that are too big or too small for your home cause major energy waste, thus skyrocketing your bills. A water heater that’s too small will also result in you having to go without hot water when you need it most.
1. Fuel Type
When choosing a hot water heater, it’s important to think about the fuel type since it affects efficiency, cost and environmental factors. Gas heaters heat very quickly, but they could be more expensive to run. While electric heaters typically use less energy, their recovery rate could be slower. Using solar heaters is an eco-friendly option, but there are some requirements you must meet, such as installing solar panels. To strike the best balance between performance, sustainability and affordability for your family, it’s important to choose a brand that offers a fuel type that matches your tastes, energy availability and long-term running expenses.
2. Tank vs. Tankless
Many homeowners enjoy the advantages of a tankless water heater. Tankless units reduce standby heat loss, leading to huge energy savings. And because of their smaller size, they work great in houses with limited square footage. Conventional water heaters with tanks work better in homes with more room. Speaking with a water heater technician is one of the best ways to decide which type will work best for your home.
3. Capacity
If you want to avoid problems like inefficient operation or running out of hot water during busy times, it’s important to choose a heater with the correct capacity. For maximum efficiency and comfort, it’s best to match the water heater’s capacity to your household’s unique needs and the number of people living there. To determine your home’s hot water needs, you’ll need to assess the number of occupants, their daily routines and their simultaneous water usage. Make sure to consider activities like showering, dishwashing and laundry to accurately estimate the home’s peak demand.
4. Energy Efficiency
While shopping for a water heater, it’s important to consider your sustainability objectives. By doing so, you can buy from a brand that will help your house become greener and more responsible. In the long run, you’ll save money on energy bills and lessen your impact on the environment. To find out how efficient a water heater is, check whether it has the Energy Star label and look at the EF rating. Only buy from brands that offer these labels and ratings.
5. Ease of Installation
Choosing a hot water heater with an easy installation is important for a hassle-free and budget-friendly setup. Because of their smaller size, tankless heaters are usually easier to install and provide more installation-location options. Standard tank designs, on the other hand, typically need more room and further planning. Any brand worth buying from will provide detailed installation instructions.
6. Cost
Before making any long-term financial plans, it is essential to calculate how much a hot water heater will cost. In addition to evaluating the initial cost, you must also consider the running expenses, maintenance needs and possible energy savings in the long run. When calculating the real cost of ownership, be sure to include any rebates or incentives that may be available. Finding a happy medium between the upfront cost and the recurring costs of your water heater is the best way to make sure it fits in with your budget, both now and in the future. Reputable brands make it simple to assess the cost of a hot water heater by putting stickers on the units that detail their expected operating costs.
7. Recovery Rate
During times of high demand, a hot water heater’s recovery rate is crucial for maintaining a steady supply of hot water. With a faster recovery rate, the heater can quickly refill hot water after use, avoiding inconvenience or service disruptions. In order to get the most out of your water heater, it’s important to know how much hot water your family requires before making a purchase (this allows you to determine the minimum recovery rate that your home’s unit will need). A brand that can meet your needs will be one that offers hot water heaters with the capacity to meet your family’s hot water demands.
8. Maintenance Requirements
Regular maintenance is essential for water heaters to keep them running smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible. Tank heaters benefit from washing out sediment, while descaling is essential for tankless units to remove mineral accumulation. It’s also essential to have a professional inspect the anode rod and pressure release valve on a regular basis. Regular maintenance keeps the heater running safely and prolongs its life. Before selecting a brand, make sure it offers a water heater with maintenance requirements that match your preferences.
9. Warranty
Lots of good things come from buying a hot water heater from a company that stands behind its product with a warranty. Warranties are a reflection of the manufacturer’s faith in the product’s quality and longevity. A warranty protects your investment by covering the expenses of repair or replacement in the case of malfunctions or faults. Higher-quality products usually come with longer warranties. With this extra layer of security, you can rest easy knowing that unforeseen expenses won’t break the bank. If you want your water heater to work right away and provide you with continuing assistance, it’s best to pick a trusted brand that has a solid guarantee. This will make your purchase more satisfying overall.
Don’t let choosing the right water heater brand for your home stress you out. Instead, lean on the professionals at Black Lion Heating & Air Conditioning to help you make the right decision. We specialize in water heater installations and have the knowledge it takes to evaluate which brand will work best for your home. Your home’s health and comfort are our primary priorities. That’s why we offer heating, cooling and electrical services, including duct cleaning and HVAC installations, repairs, and maintenance. Give us a call now to learn more about choosing the right water heater for your Kirkland, WA, home.