Water Heater Buying Guide: 6 Things To Consider

When buying a water heater, there are many things to consider. Do you prefer tankless water heaters or conventional water heaters? How much hot water do you need? These are all important questions that will help determine the type of water heater for your home. A water heater is a necessary appliance for any household. If you are in the market to purchase one, then this water heater buying guide will help you make an informed decision that best suits your needs.

1. Location

Where will you place it? Where is the water supply located, and where does the water drain to after heating? Decide on the storage capacity/size of the water tank needed for your family size and household needs. Also, think about how much hot water you typically need at one time and whether or not more than one person may be using the hot water simultaneously. This can help with determining if an instantaneous unit might work better for your home instead of a traditional point of use system which uses power but provides only small amounts of water at a time.

Tankless or traditional storage water heaters. Which one is right for you? Tankless water heaters as clearly illustrated here at waterheaterleakinginfo.com/tankless-water-heater-buying-guide will only provide hot water as it’s needed, so they’re generally better suited for smaller households that need hotter water on demand rather than an endless supply of slightly warm water all at once. While the upfront cost might seem higher, most people will save money by using less energy with a point-of-use system versus powering an entire tank full of consistently lukewarm water all day long with a constant flow electric unit. And if your family needs more hot water throughout the day but doesn’t need it constantly, a tankless water heater may still be the right choice.

You’ll also want to consider whether or not you have natural gas service at your home because that can determine which water heaters are available for purchase and installation where you live. If there’s no access to natural gas services at your residence, then electric units will probably work best unless an efficient propane water heater might make more sense for you instead.

2. Size

Water heaters come in a variety of sizes and BTU (British Thermal Unit) ratings. The size you need will depend on the number of people who use hot water regularly, as well as how large your home is. For instance, if there are four or five people using water at once – and they all take long showers – you’ll need more water heater capacity than if you live alone and only occasionally do laundry, run the dishwasher, or take a short shower. These are all considerations that will play a part when choosing the right size of the water heater. 

3. Warranty

If you are looking for water heating equipment. then you need to check for the warrant contract in place. While there are so many considerations in place, you’ll need to be extra cautious of the warranty timelines in the warrant agreement and what is entailed in it. There are signs that will be of the utmost importance when choosing the best warranty option for your water heater:

• Energy Star Rating- make sure your water isn’t wasting too much energy and money by checking its Energy Star rating before you buy! The higher the better, so aim for at least an 80% efficiency rate.
• Leaking Can Be A Bad Sign- leaks can be bad signs in more ways than one! Check out why leaking heaters aren’t a good sign
• Warranty- make sure it’s covered by a warranty if needed
• Energy Star Rating- make sure your water isn’t wasting too much energy and money by checking its Energy Star rating before you buy! The higher the better, so aim for at least an 80% efficiency rate
• Leaking Can Be A Bad Sign- leaks can be bad signs in more ways than one! 
• Warranty- make sure it’s covered by a warranty if needed
• Energy Star Rating- make sure your water isn’t wasting too much energy and money by checking its Energy Star rating before you buy! The higher the better, so aim for at least an 80% efficiency rate

4. Energy Efficiency

Water heaters can range in efficiency options and you don’t want water wastage and energy inefficiency with a low-efficiency model. Look for Energy Star models for high water heaters as they will save the most water while still heating your water quickly. This is something that can make or break your purchase decision! 

5. Quality 

The quality of the model you choose will also play a role in the system’s longevity. Do not forget to go for high-quality systems. Additionally, choose a system that has the best reviews. This is critical in the purchasing decision.  

6. Handling Capacity

Ensure that you have a system that can handle heating mote water at once. It should heat up more weather as keyed in on the control panel. Choose a water heater with a simplified electrical panel. 

When you’re ready to buy a new water heater, it pays to do some research first. Our buyer’s guide will help you find the right size and style of water heater for your home based on information about your location and energy efficiency needs. We also included our recommendation for warranties that may be available with different models so that you can make an informed decision when choosing which one is best suited for your family’s lifestyle or budget.