When beginning the process of choosing a new hot water heater, there are many options worth considering and being aware of.
When diving into the process of choosing a new hot water heater,
there are many available options worth considering. Wading through them all without a guide can be a hectic and sometimes stressful ordeal, however with a little bit of help and insight, you just may have a better chance of finding the model that best suits your needs. In this article we will outline a few simple points worth considering prior to making your finial decision.
Capacity
Should you choose to downscale or upscale? Household dynamics are constantly in the state of flux. Taking into consideration exactly how much water you really need is worth the effort. If you live in a household with 5 kids and 2 animals, your needs will be significantly different than if you live alone. The size of your home will often determine how many persons live there. Get the right water heater for the size of your home.
The First Hour Rating of the heater is the best determinant of the functional capacity of the water heater. This is the amount of water that can be released in one hour. You can roughly calculate how much water you use in the heaviest hour -- usually the one when everyone's getting ready in the morning -- using a water sizing calculator.
Efficient Energy
Without even knowing, your desired heater may be heating to much water. There are many quality variations that can easily meet your energy needs…
Solar – As the sun is a completely free resource, this option takes the cake for the most energy-efficient. While the initial start up costs may be more than that of a traditional model, the end result is a bit of savings and an environmentally safe approach.
Heat Pump - Such devices are designed in order to retrofit a conventional storage heater to your existing pump. This system can often be up to 2 or three times more energy efficient that that of a system which links directly to an independent energy source. This option works best in conditions that have normal temperatures between 40 and 90 degrees.
Demand Heaters – Systems which do not require a hot water tank since they supply instantly heated water when needed. Energy sources include gas or electricity. While the process does not entail a wait time, the system has limited heating capacity. For example, when 2 or more showers happen to be running at the same time the warm water will be limited. Thus, it is recommended that high traffic homes purchase more than one unit. If your home is lower traffic, one unit may be enough.
Conventional Storage – Simply put, water is prepared and stored in a tank for use whenever needed. Energy sources vary, but include propane, natural gas, electricity, and fuel oil. While considered rather reliable and efficient, this system can create what is know as ‘standby heat loss’ in cases where hot water is not used frequently.
Whether you’re building your dream home, or simply replacing an older unit, it’s important to consult a professional installation technician. In this way, you will be able to ensure the install process goes through without a hitch, which perhaps will end up saving you money in the long run.
