Choosing the Type of Water Heater

You have a couple of options when it comes to the type of water heater for your property: tank-style and tankless. Let’s start with the conventional tank-style water heater.

The traditional storage tank water heater keeps a reservoir of hot water in a tank on standby. This gives you access to a few dozen gallons of hot water, but the tank is constantly being heated. This means you are paying to have it heated even if you are not using it. Also, you will have to wait some time for the new batch of water to heat if you end up using the whole tank’s worth of hot water.

Tankless water heaters are aptly named and have been gaining popularity in recent years. These water heaters do not keep water stored in a tank. Rather, they heat water as the water passes through pipes. Tankless water heaters are restricted in the gallons of hot water they provide per minute. So, these are least practical if you use multiple appliances or plumbing fixtures simultaneously.

Choosing the Energy Source

Your water heater is not magical. It simply heats water using an energy source. The most common options are electric and gas. Let’s start with the most common: gas.

Gas water heaters are the preferred option for those who want their water heated quickly and affordably. Gas water heaters have a lower operating cost than electric ones and can usually operate even during power failures. However, you will need a gas line – which has safety risks. Gas water heaters also have a shorter lifespan than electric water heaters and are dirtier.

Electric water heaters are cleaner and the preferred choice for the environmentally conscious. They heat water efficiently and are more affordable upfront. However, electric water heaters have a higher operating cost, are slower to heat water, and will not operate during power outages.

Choosing the Right Size

Choosing the right size depends on your demand, but if you are going with a tank-style water heater, then you will need about 10-12 gallons per person in the household. So, a family of 4 will likely need a 50-gallon tank. Choosing the size of a tankless water heater is a little more complicated. You have to calculate the required flow rate at peak usage. The competent plumbers at Rooter Hero Plumbing are happy to help you make this calculation. Call now to consult with a representative and schedule an on-site visit.