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to heating and cooling, water heating is typically the largest
energy user in the home. As homes have become more and more
energy efficient during the last 20 years, the percentage of
energy used for water heating has steadily increased. An
Affordable Plumbing Technician can help you select the water
heater that can best reduce water heating costs and increase
comfort in your home.
Selecting a New Water Heater
There are numerous
factors to consider when choosing a new water heater, including
type, capacity, efficiency, and cost.
Type.
While storage water heaters are most common, there are a number
of other types of water heaters including Tankless water heaters
that may suit your needs.
Tankless Water Heaters
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Unlimited supply of hot water on demand
-
Typically 30% more energy efficient than a traditional water
heater
-
Advanced technology allows for 82% efficiency
-
On-demand performance reduces water heating costs by up to 50%
in most households
-
Copper heat exchanger is coated to prevent corrosion and
deterioration increasing the life above ordinary water heaters
-
Low
emission technology reduces the CO and NOx emissions making
the air inside your home cleaner and healthier
-
Advanced valve system maintains a constant temperature while
the digital control panel allows for precise control of the
water temperature
Capacity.
Don't buy a water heater bigger than you need. Although some
consumers base their purchase on the size of the storage tank,
the peak hour demand (or first-hour rating, FHR) is actually
more important. The FHR is the measure of how much hot water the
heater will deliver in an hour and is required by law to appear
on the Energy Guide label. Your technician will
perform a capacity test to determine the right size water heater
for your home.
Efficiency.
The energy efficiency of a storage water heater is indicated by
its "Energy Factor" (EF). The higher the EF, the more efficient
the water heater. Gas water heaters have an EF between 0.50 and
0.60, with some high-efficiency models around 0.80. Other
features to look for are tanks with at least 1.5 inches of foam
insulation and energy efficiency ratings shown on the Energy
Guide labels.
Cost.
It may be tempting to look for a water heater that is
inexpensive and ignore the operating cost. This is a poor
strategy. Often the least expensive water heaters are the most
expensive to operate. A high-efficiency water heater may cost a
little more initially, but reduced operating costs will more
then make up for the higher outlay. Check the Energy Guide label
to help choose an energy thrifty heater. |
