How To Choose a Water Heater

When it’s time to buy a new water heater for your home, you will have several decisions to get one that’s large enough for your home, energy-efficient, and easy to install. You’ll also need to decide if you want to upgrade to a different type of hot water heater.

Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters

The two main types of water heaters are the tank and the tankless type. The tank style is the traditional one where the water is kept in a large metal cylinder, and it’s kept hot for when it’s needed. The newer tankless water heater is also called an "on-demand" heater. They only turn on when you need hot water from a tap or faucet. It’s more compact than the traditional model, and it’s much more energy-efficient. Tankless heaters are more expensive, but they can last longer than a tank-style and save money on your energy bills.

Direct and Indirect-Fired Water Heaters

In homes with warm air furnaces, you usually find direct-fired water heaters that are kept warm with a flame. Indirect-fired water heaters get hot water from a furnace or boiler, and then the warmth is transferred to a heat exchanger that resides in the tank. This type of water heater is more energy efficient because the furnace turns on and off less often.

Water Heater Fuel Types

Hot water heaters use different fuel sources, and most homeowners will choose one of the same fuel types to save on installation costs and the addition of extra items. Most 2022 water heaters or electric water heaters are easy to install, and they don’t need venting, but they do use more energy than other types. Natural gas water heaters produce your hot water fast, but they require being vented through a chimney or a wall. Oil water heaters supply you with hot water the fastest, but there are very few models from which to choose. Liquid propane water heaters require a storage tank for the propane, and you need to have fuel delivered to you when you run out or low. These also need to be vented.

Water Heater Installation

Some home improvement DIYers may be able to replace a traditional tank-style water heater that is electric by themselves. This is the easiest type to do on your own. But, the new water heater has to have the same fuel type and voltages to just simply swap them out. The other types of water heaters usually require a professional plumber to be installed correctly, as this task takes quite a bit of knowledge. Also, if you change styles of water heaters, you will need a plumber to check all the components of your system, and he or she may need to add items to the system as well.

Trust the Professionals With Your Hot Water Heater

Rooter Express has over 20 years of professional plumbing experience for all of your hot water heater needs. We do repairs, and we also replace hot water heaters. We are a family-owned and operated business, and we value our customers. Give us a call for any plumbing needs you may have.

Categorised in: Water Heater Installation