The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that water heaters use about 20% of a home’s total energy. Your water heater is integral to your daily comfort and quality of life. It’s also a purchase that you’re likely to live with for a decade and perhaps 20 years or more. Let’s explore the major points you should consider before choosing the next water heater for your home.
Tank vs. Tankless Water Heater
Conventional storage water heaters are the main source of hot water for Americans and have been for over 100 years. On-demand water heaters are becoming more popular with each passing year.
Whether you prefer a tank or tankless system is a core decision you’ll need to make. Tank water heaters are appealing because most homes already have them, and they’re cheaper to buy and install. Tankless water heaters often require a conversion for the initial install and are more expensive. The benefit is that they’re more energy efficient. They also last longer. Traditional water heaters last about 12 years. On-demand systems last about 20 years. That means that a tankless water can actually be cheaper over the life of the equipment despite the added initial costs.
Handling High Demand
One of the oft-overlooked advantages of a tankless system is being able to handle high demand. Consider the common scenario in which you have family stay for the holidays. Your water heater may not be up to that additional demand. The solution with a tank water heater is a bigger tank, but that’s impractical because you’ll be paying more for it on a monthly basis. With a tankless system, you can opt for a higher flow rate. This will cost you more up front, but it won’t cost you more when you’re not using that extra capacity.
Fuel Type
Whether you choose a storage or on-demand water heater, you’ll have the choice between either an electric or fuel-burning system. Electric water heaters are cheaper to buy and install. Water heaters that burn natural gas are cheaper over time because of the lower cost of the energy. If you lack access to a natural gas line, there are water heaters that burn heating oil and propane. Whether those systems will be more cost-effective than electric depends on the prices in your area.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency varies from one model to the next. Some models, for instance, convert natural gas to heat energy more efficiently. The U.S. requires all water heaters to have an EnergyGuide label. This is a large yellow sticker that will provide you with the estimated annual operating cost in U.S. dollars. You can use this estimate to compare one water heater to another.
Warranty
Water heater warranties are limited warranties that protect the homeowner against component defects. Coverage for replacement labor usually lasts between one and five years. Coverage for replacement parts usually lasts between three and 12 years for tank systems and 15 years for tankless systems.
Anti-Scale Protection
For both tank and tankless water heaters, water hardness is an important consideration. The minerals in your water build up in the system over time. This accumulation requires maintenance and may increase your operating costs and decrease the life of your equipment. If you have hard water, a water-softening system can lower your costs long term.
Tank water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod that you’ll need to replace every several years. Some water heaters have glass-lined tanks that make them less prone to corrosion. Electric tank water heaters are more prone to corrosion because of the heating elements. Some tankless water heaters have an integrated anti-scale device that can offset the need for a water softener.
Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters are appliances that store and heat water in a reservoir. It’s important to size the tank appropriately for your home. If the tank is too big, you’ll use energy and spend money unnecessarily. If the tank is too small, you’ll experience low water pressure and may run out of hot water. Once the hot water is gone, there’s nothing you can do but wait for the system to heat more.
Sizing Your Tank Water Heater
The typical water heater size in the U.S. is about 50 gallons. If you live alone or in a household of two, there are smaller tanks ranging from 10 to 40 gallons. Families of four or more will want to consider a medium-sized tank of about 75 gallons. There are also large tanks of 100 gallons or more for bigger households. Your plumber can provide you with a much more accurate estimate. A plumber will factor in household size but also your family’s peak hour and all the fixtures and appliances in your home.
Other Considerations
There are a range of form factors available. Manufacturers design standard tanks with the typical water heater closet in mind. There are compact units for spaces with low clearance. They are also tall, thin units that help to save space in garages and similar areas.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters heat and deliver water as you request it. This is possible because the water is under pressure and heated in a concentrated space. Sizing is important for on-demand systems as well. You may want to oversize your system as mentioned earlier, but you’ll certainly want to avoid a system that’s undersized. While you generally won’t run out, water pressure can drop low enough to be all but unusable.
Sizing Your Tankless Water Heater
Sizing an on-demand water heating system is more complex because there is less room for error. Your plumber will size your water heater by its flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM). What you need to determine is how many fixtures you want to use simultaneously during your peak usage period.
Many experts also recommend opting for a bit more than your estimate just to have that leeway. Another factor to consider is groundwater temperature. The lower that temperature, the higher GPM that you’ll need. A 5 to 7 GPM system is typical. The high end is about 10 to 11 GPM.
Other Considerations
If you live in an older home, you may need an electrical panel upgrade. Schedule an inspection ahead of time to determine if you need that upgrade and whether you can afford the added cost. It’s also important to note that fuel-burning tankless water heaters require electricity. They use it to start. This is not the case generally with fuel-burning tank water heaters.
Water Heater Installation in Greater Anaheim
Splash Plumbing has served homeowners and businesses throughout Anaheim and the surrounding areas since 1988. Our plumbers install and service all manner of conventional and on-demand water heaters. We perform rooter services, drain cleaning and all other plumbing repair.
Our team pipes and repipes water, sewer and gas lines. We also specialize in backflow testing, leak detection, sump pumps and water purification. You can also count on us for all your property maintenance and HOA needs. Call today or contact us online to learn more about these services or to schedule an appointment.
