How to Buy a Gas Water Heater
Most homeowners probably do not think twice about something like a water heater until they experience a surge of cold water during their hot shower. Water heaters are a luxury standard in most U.S. homes. The most common kinds of water heaters are gas and electric. Gas water heaters are cheaper and more energy efficient than electric. There are two types of gas water heaters: a storage tank water heater that heats and stores the hot water and a tankless water heater that heats the water as you use it. There are a few things you should remember when shopping for a gas water heater. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Check the size and capacity of your old water heater to determine if it is the right size for your home. Measure the space where your water heater is located.
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Decide whether or not you should upgrade to a larger water heater that holds more water and heats it faster. Consider the water heater's recovery rate, which is the number of gallons of water it can heat per hour. The greater the demand for hot water, the higher recovery rate you will need.
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Choose from a traditional storage tank gas water heater or the newer tankless gas fired water heater.
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When you purchase your natural gas water heater from a reputable retailer, make sure it has a warranty.
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Ask to have the gas water heater installed by one of the store professionals or hire a private plumbing contractor to do the job.
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Tips & Warnings
The size of the gas water heater should be determined by the size of your home and how many people you have living in the house. For example a family of four needs a 40- to 50-gallon gas water heater in order to have it meet their needs. Tankless water heaters are said by some to be more energy efficient, but that might not always be the case. When purchasing a new gas water heater it is important to look at the energy efficiency information located on the EngeryGuide label on the side of the water heater's tank. If you choose a tankless water heater be sure to find out the capacity or how many gallons of water it can heat per hour. If the location of the water heater is too small for the size that you need, you may want to move the gas water heater and have it plumbed in a different location in the home. Newer water heaters typically have an insulated tank which may make the circumference of the water heater larger so you need to take that into consideration when measuring the space for the new water heater.
New gas water heater models should have safety features that block the flame inside the water heater. But for extra precaution the water heater needs to be located away from flammable products and objects.
