4 Things to Consider when Purchasing a Water Heater

You may not realize it, but hot water is essential in a modern day home. Just try and go a week without hot water and see how you feel afterward. Hot water is used to bathe, wash dishes, wash clothes, clean, etc. Knowing how important hot water is to your family, you should realize the importance of choosing the correct water heater for your house. Before purchasing new, there are several things to consider in order to make sure you purchase the right water heater to fit your needs.

Cost
Most people believe cost is the most important consideration when purchasing any new appliance. When discussing water heaters, the initial cost is not nearly as important as the monthly cost to run the heater. Remember every month you will get a bill for your energy consumption. A great deal of that consumption comes from heating your water. Be sure to compare initial water heater costs with operating costs of many different models. This will give you a good idea of how much money you will be spending per year to operate the water heater.

Energy Efficiency
A topic that goes hand in hand with cost is energy efficiency. The more energy efficient your water heater is, the less money you will spend in energy costs per month. Usually the more efficient systems are slightly more expensive to buy up front, but in the long run, they save you money. Also, remember that saving energy is good for the environment. Our world is currently going through a global warming crisis. Saving as much energy as you can does just a little more to correct the problem.

Energy Availability
The type of energy you will use to heat your water is a major consideration when purchasing a water heater. There are several different types of heaters: gas, electric, geothermal, solar, etc. Some of these heating methods are only available if you have certain gas lines installed, or a heat pump already installed. Be sure that whatever water heater you chose, your house is equipped to handle it’s energy source.

Size
Nobody likes to take a cold shower. Unfortunately, there are many families who are forced to take a cold shower every once in a while because their water heater is too small. Size matters when referring to water heaters. You don’t want a heater that is too small and doesn’t hold enough water. On the other hand, you don’t want a water heater that is too large and wasteful of energy and money. Make sure you know how much hot water you might utilize within a 2 hour period. This will give you a good idea of how large your water heater should be.

Never buy a water heater based only on one of these four categories. You should buy a water heater that fits your needs in every category mentioned. Cost, energy efficiency, energy availability, and size are the most important considerations when purchasing a new water heater.