How to Buy a Hot Water Heater

When hot water heaters break, it is time to start looking for replacements. Hot water heaters usually last for about twenty years or so, but if they are not cared for properly then they will break and need to be replaced a lot sooner. If you are looking to purchase new hot water heaters, there are a few things that you should consider.

First, consider whether or not you need to replace your hot water heaters. Like all mechanical and electric machinery, it will wear with age and may work more slowly or may make noises. This does not necessarily mean that water heaters need to be replaced, sometimes one part of it is broken and can be easily fixed and replaced, and sometimes it needs to be drained to remove built up sediment. It is a good idea to consult a trained professional to find out whether or not hot water heaters need to be replaced entirely. If your system is worn out or ineffective, you may want to upgrade your system whether or not you need to replace it.

Second, decide how much you want to pay for new hot water heaters. Price varies based on how big the tank is, whether or not a tank is used, the quality of the warranty, and how the water is heated.

Water Heaters

Next, decide what kind of hot water heaters will work best for you. Most come in two varieties: tank or tankless. Conventional storage water heater systems store and heat water in a large tank that holds between forty and eighty gallons of water at a time. Tankless systems are exactly what they sound like?hot water heaters that do not use tanks to shore and heat water. Instead, they heat the water as it goes through pipes. The benefit of this system is that it is more energy efficient: only the water that you need will be heated and you will never have to worry about running out of hot water. The only major drawback is that this system costs several thousand more dollars. But many people feel that the benefits of tankless systems are worth the price.

Next, decide whether you want to use electricity or gas to fuel your hot water heater. Both work equally well. It is generally a matter of preference. Most people believe that gas fueled hot water heaters are more cost effective, but this varies based on where you live. Make sure to compare the prices of utilities to see if gas is actually less expensive than electricity in your area.

The next step is to decide what kind of warranty you would like. Most high-quality hot water heaters made by respectable brands should come with at least a six year warranty that covers labor and repairs. A warranty is very important in case anything should happen to or go wrong with your new hot water heater during the first few years that you own it. This way you can ensure that you can maintain it through its intended lifespan.

Picking new hot water heaters can be challenging, but if you simplify it down to these few steps you can be prepared when you start going out and looking for your new system.