How to Choose a Water Heater

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (6 Ratings)

Before you're faced with making an emergency purchase to replace your water heater, learn what your options are. You could save a lot of money in up front costs as well as lifetime operation if you consider energy efficiency, type, and installation before you buy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

  • Water Heaters
Step1
Consider your hot water needs. What capacity will you need? What's the most efficient unit for you? How much will it cost to buy and operate?
Step2
Determine the water heater's efficiency - look for its Energy Factor. The higher the number, the better the fuel efficiency.
Step3
Read the EnergyGuide label for the first-hour rating. This tells you how much hot water will be available at any given time. Don't buy a tank that puts out more than you will need, or you're just wasting money. (Gas water heaters have higher first-hour ratings than electric ones with the same capacity tank.)
Step4
Look for a conventional storage heater, which can run on electricity, gas, propane, or oil. Hot water from the top of the tank runs to the tap, while cold water comes in through the bottom to be heated.
Step5
Consider a space-saving gas or electric on-demand system in which cold water is heated as needed. No energy is wasted keeping water hot, the unit takes up very little space because it has no storage tank, and you never run out of hot water. The flow rate is limited to about four gallons per minute, though, so you may need more than one if you want to have a shower and run the dishwasher at the same time.
Step6
Tap the sun. Your entire home's hot water can be heated with a solar water heater. Installation and purchase prices are generally high for these, but check them out - the savings in operation costs may make it worth the extra outlay. Look at a passive system, which doesn't use a pump. This type is considerably more reliable, longer-lived, and easier to maintain than an active system. You may need to have a regular water heater to use as a backup.
Step7
Buy electric heat-pump water heaters in two styles. One has a built-in storage tank; the other kind can be added to a water heater already in place. They must be installed in a room that stays warm, and they require a lot of open space around them. This type of water heater is expensive to buy, but cheap to operate.
Step8
Know this general rule of thumb where price is concerned: The cheapest water heater is going to be the most expensive to use.

Tips & Warnings

  • Look at the EnergyGuide label. It tells you the estimated annual cost of using the system.
  • Compare different solar heating systems, as they vary widely.
  • Make sure the tank has at least 1 1/2 inches of foam insulation.
  • Remember that a longer warranty typically means a higher price.
  • If you are not installing the system yourself, make sure the contractor is a licensed plumber.

Comments

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Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Although magnesium is the preferred material for water heater anodes, these can react with sulfides and bacteria in the water to generate a rotten egg smell. If this is happening with your hot water line, you may want to consider using an aluminum anode instead.

Anonymous

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Look for a water heater that has at least one magnesium anode (preferably two). Magnesium anodes will prevent the tank from rusting. Don't buy a water heater with aluminum anodes.

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eHow Article: How to Choose a Water Heater

eHow Home & Garden Editor

eHow Home & Garden Editor

Category: Home & Garden

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