What Water Heater To Buy |TOP|
While a high EF is good, you have to factor in the cost of the energy the heater uses to get an accurate picture of how much it costs to operate. In most areas, for example, an electric heater with an EF of 0.8 will cost more to run than a similar-size gas model with an EF of 0.6 due to the higher price of electricity compared with gas.
what water heater to buy
Electric water heaters are lightweight, quiet, and boast the highest efficiency of any storage water heater. But the price of electricity is so high in most places that relatively inefficient fuel-fired heaters cost less to operate.
Tankless water heaters can be either gas-burning or electric tankless; however, gas tanks typically last longer. These heaters are compact and ultra-efficient units that heat water as you need it. This means you could save a considerable amount of money annually.
The right water heater can make bubble baths, showers, and common kitchen and bathroom tasks easier and more frequent without using ample energy. Selections for the best water heaters depended upon the water capacity, power output, ease of installation, type, and added special features included by some brands.
The featured list prioritizes variety by listing storage tank, tankless, and hybrid options for your needs. Each type provides either small or large hot water tanks, averaging at 40 to 50 gallons for households of 3-5 people. As for power output, most of these residential water heaters are energy efficient by offering a uniform energy factor of under 0.70. Though water-saving, all of these units have powerful BTUs or wattages to heat ample amounts of water quickly. The storage tank options average at 40,000 BTUs, while the tankless and hybrid options run at 4,500 watts.
As for durability, self-cleaning and diffuser systems remove sediment buildup and tank liners to reduce the likelihood of leaks. Since water heaters typically come in large sizes, installation of some of these models may require professional help. But, some of the smaller units that are lightweight and compact may be easy to install without help.
Read on to review these recommendations for hot water heaters in several categories. This list includes some of the most efficient and technologically advanced units from reputable hot water heater manufacturers.
While knowing the different types of hot water heaters and their advantages is important, it also helps to know the main factors or features to consider when determining the best hot water heater for your needs.
As with conventional hot water heaters, tankless water heaters use gas or electricity to heat water. When a hot water tap is opened, cold water enters the tankless heater via a pipe and then is heated quickly by a gas burner or electric coil. Unlike a tank water heater, a tankless water heater offers an endless supply of hot water.
The big difference between gas and electric water heaters is cost. Expect to pay, on average, between $1,300 and $2,600, including installation fees, for a 40-gallon gas water heater versus $950 to $1,500 for the same-size electric water heater, as reported to Fixr, a network of contractors and home improvement professionals.
Although operating costs fluctuate with gas and electricity rates, gas is significantly cheaper than electric to run. Gas water heaters cost around $30 a month to operate while electric heaters will run about $42 a month, according to Fixr.
Hot water heaters come in capacities ranging from 20 to 100 gallons. The larger the capacity, the more hot water you can use before the supply runs out and the waiting game for more hot water begins. A 40- to 50-gallon tank is sufficient to handle a household of 4 people. Add 10 gallons of capacity for each additional person.
All water heaters have efficiency ratings, which indicate how much of the energy used by the unit actually heats water. A hot water heater with an efficiency rating of .70 means that 70 percent of the energy consumed by the water heater goes toward heating water.
Tank water heaters have a valve at the bottom of the tank used to drain the tank for maintenance. These valves work with a standard garden hose and are made of brass or PVC (Polyvinyl chloride). Since brass is far more durable than plastic, the better choice is a hot water heater that uses a brass drain valve.
An old hot water heater is like a ticking time bomb. It sits for many years in your basement or utility closet, dutifully providing your family with hot water until, without warning, it stops working, creating an unexpected inconvenience and expense. Although a broken water heater might feel as shocking as an ice-cold shower, there are a few warning signs to watch for.
Though a rare occurrence, a water heater can indeed explode and in spectacular fashion. This occurs with gas or electric water heaters that have clogged or malfunctioning pressure relief valves. If too much pressure builds, the water heater will explode, literally launching the unit like a rocket.
A water heater installation costs between about $846 and $1,702, which includes the price of the water heater plus labor, according to HomeAdvisor, a network of contractors and home improvement professionals. Tankless heaters, which are significantly more expensive than tank heaters, are on the high end of this range and may be expensive to replace.
Navien Premium Efficiency condensing tankless water heaters are the #1 selling high efficiency condensing tankless water heaters in North America. The NPE-2 series offers ultra-high efficiency up to 0.96 UEF to keep your utility bills low, endless hot water, and exclusive ComfortFlow technology with a built-in recirculation pump and buffer tank.
It is worth switching to a tankless water heater if you are looking for a more efficient option. Tankless water heaters can save you money on your energy bill, and they can also have a longer lifespan than traditional water heaters.
To choose the right size tankless water heater for your home, you will need to consider a few factors, such as: the number of people in your household, the average water usage in your household, and the climate in your area. Use our Navisizer tool to quickly find the right model for your home or business.
Thank you for your interest in purchasing a Bradford White water heater. Unlike other brands that sell through big box stores, Bradford White feels very strongly that our water heaters should be specified, sold, and installed by qualified professionals only. To find a plumbing professional in your area who sells and installs Bradford White, click here. Here are some reasons to feel good about choosing Bradford White.
However, that's not to say tankless water heaters are the best solution for everyone. Storage tank water heaters have a lower initial cost, and purchasing one that's insulated can reduce standby heat loss and operating costs. Depending on the household's usage of hot water, storage tank models could be a more cost effective option.
The tank is filled to capacity and heated in the reservoir using whichever fuel source your home has -- electricity, gas, oil or propane. When the hot water tap is turned on, hot water is released from the top of the tank. Cold water is then filled from the bottom of the tank until it's full, so there is always hot water available.
This process of constantly heating water in the tank contributes to standby heat loss. Standby heat loss is the amount of heat lost when the water heater isn't being used. The older the hot water heater gets, the more standby losses can drive up energy costs.
A tankless water heater, also called an instantaneous or on-demand water heater, only heats water when it is needed. Water is heated at an average rate of 2 to 5 gallons per minute using one of three fuel sources -- electricity, natural gas or propane.
Tankless water heaters are more efficient than storage tank water heaters in part because there is no standby heat loss. However, one downside to a tankless water heater is the lack of capacity when running more than one hot water tap at the same time.
Gas-fired tankless heaters can also waste energy by keeping the pilot light burning to heat water in the tank to provide higher flow rates than electric water heaters. One way to combat this is to choose a model with an intermittent ignition device rather than a standing pilot light.
The capacity, fuel source, warranty, brand and dimensions of the storage tank water heater will make a difference in the price. Expect to pay between $300 and $1,500 for a water heater, but some models and brands can run upward of $2,000.
Tankless water heaters can be purchased to heat a single sink, tub or shower (known as point-of-use tankless water heaters) -- or to heat water for the whole house. The purchase price for a tankless water heater can be as low as $150 or as high as $2,500 or more. Solar-powered tankless water heaters are the most expensive, costing as much as $6,000.
There are online calculators you can use to determine sizing for both types of water heaters, including storage tank heaters if needed. You can also calculate your expected energy cost for an electric or gas water heater.
Just like the purchase price, installation costs vary widely, including where you're located. Installing a point-of-use tankless water heater will be the cheapest, followed by storage tank water heaters and then whole-house tankless heaters.
Average rates to install a storage tank water heater range from $400 to $1,000. The national average to install a tankless water heater is about $2,500, with estimates as low as $1,000 and as high as $6,000 or more.
Some homeowners can take a DIY route with storage tank water heaters and save on the installation costs. For tankless water heaters, it's best to leave it to a professional, as the setup is more complicated.
If you choose the right capacity for your storage tank water heater, you should not run out of hot water. This is one reason the storage tank outshines the tankless water heater. If you often run the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time, a tankless water heater might struggle to keep up with demand. 041b061a72