A Buyer's Guide To Water Heaters: 10 Fast Facts To Know Before Buying a Water Heater
A water heater isn’t something that one tends to notice too often. But only till the point that it stops working. So, in order to ensure you don’t go to Google, searching for “water company near me”, go for a water heater that’s definitely right for you.
Your water heater, from a reputed brand, and considering it doesn’t go through any external damage or incident, can easily last from 8 to 12 years. So, naturally, it turns out to be a long-term investment that will serve you for years.
But, what should you look for in a water heater? Is there a specific feature that should be a deal maker or breaker? Let’s find everything out.
Here’s a guide for potential water heater buyers, looking to upgrade, replace, or simply bring a new water heater into their homes. Consider all these factors before buying a new water heater for sale.
Water Heater Sizes
When it comes to water heaters, size does matter. So, before you go into the shop and buy the biggest beast out there, take a few things into consideration.
In order to determine the size, you first need to figure out the water consumption that takes place at your place. Some buyers usually tend to buy water heaters with some “additional capacity” for those days when you have guests over.
However, it is always recommended to take the majority of the days’ usage into consideration than a few exceptional ones. Getting a bulky sized water heater will only going to eat up more space, as well as add to your utility bills over a period of time.
Your household’s peak demand for water should be similar to the heater’s first-hour rating.
Remember Energy Efficiency
When it comes to assessing the efficiency of your water heater, there is more than one factor involved.
One of the primary ones is to take a look at the energy factor of your water heater. The energy factor denotes the percentage of energy that is converted into hot water by your heater. The higher this number is, the better its efficiency to operate and the lesser the cost to operate.
Think of Water Heater's overall Heat Loss
Adding on, one other major factor that comes into play here is heat loss. The heat loss affects any water heater’s efficiency in the longer run. More heat loss means that more power is required. Hence, choosing a water heater that has a properly insulated storage tank can prove beneficial.
Materials like ceramic and PUF are perfect heat insulators and you can talk to your local water heater company about what they recommend.
Does The water heater come with After Sales Service
Buying a branded water heater that has plenty of features is cool. But, what if it breaks down?
That is where a decent after-sales service comes into the picture. Things like, the thermostat not functioning, or the water not heating up optimally are some of the issues that water heater users tend to face.
Hence, going for a brand that carries the goodwill of proper customer support and is an old and reputed name in the industry is always a safe bet. Some water heaters for sale also have warranty options through the local dealer — talk to your local water company about their water heater coverage and water heater repair services.
Do you want your water heater to be Compatible With Accessories
There are plenty of after-market water heater accessories available out there. This includes tanks, timers etc to name some. Make sure that the heater you buy is compatible with these accessories down the line, which will allow them to operate more efficiently.
(Are you interested in smart home water heater accessories and smart leak detection? Check out the DROP WATER SYSTEM when considering your new water heater.)
Tank Material
Choosing the right space
Water heaters come in all shapes and sizes. So, before you head on to the shop and make your choices rigid, it is always better to get your measurement tape out and measure the area where the water heater might go.
There are short and tall water heaters available, depending upon the available space.
Is a Tankless Water Heater the right choice
Tankless water heaters do not store water in their tanks. Instead, they heat water as it passes through the heater and to the shower.
A tankless water heater repair in Maryland is considered to be more energy-efficient since the water only gets heated when it’s there, and not when it’s stored. While they are more energy-efficient, the amount of water they can heat at a time is usually limited.
Do You Need Compatibility With Hard Water
While it might not be usual, in case you happen to live in an area where the quality of water is hard, your water heater might be at the risk of corrosion. Hard water isn’t suitable for water heaters and tends to affect the operations of a water heater.
Apart from that, many water heaters come with the capability to turn hard water into soft water, and then get it heated. You can also go for water treatment services for the same.
Takeaway: Buying A Water Heater That Suits You
Now that you’ve been informed about all the factors that should take precedence in your water heater buying journey, it’s time to go out there and select the right one.
Buying a water heater isn’t that difficult. The factors that you take into consideration can differ on the basis of your requirement. So, it isn’t necessarily required that you go for the same brand, type and size of water heater that your neighbor recently got installed. Choose the one that fits your budget, is the right size and caters to your water consumption needs.
However, conducting your due diligence and looking for the right factors to consider is always the right step. Hence, go for the heater that suits you and not the one that suits your friends and acquaintances.
