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Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Home
Selecting the right water heater for your home is an important decision that can impact your utility bills, home comfort, and maintenance requirements. With different types of water heaters available, it's important to understand the key factors to consider so you can choose the best option for your needs.
Types of Water Heaters
The three main types of water heaters for homes are:
- Tank water heaters - Store and heat water in an insulated tank. Energy efficient models include heat pump and condensing tank water heaters.
- Tankless water heaters - Heat water on demand without a storage tank. Can be gas, electric, or propane powered.
- Hybrid heat pump water heaters - Combine features of tank and tankless for efficiency and continuous hot water.
Key Factors to Consider
When selecting a new water heater, keep the following factors in mind:
| Energy efficiency | Look at the Energy Factor (EF) rating. The higher the EF, the more efficient the heater. |
| Size/capacity | Match the tank size to your household's peak hot water needs. |
| Fuel type | Choose gas, electric, propane, or hybrid based on utility costs and availability. |
| Installation | Consider space requirements and need for venting (gas models). |
| Cost | Compare purchase price and estimated operating costs. |
For example, a family of four with two bathrooms will likely need a 40-50 gallon tank water heater. Going with an ENERGY STAR certified model can reduce yearly operating costs by $30 or more compared to a standard model. Installing a tankless water heater may cost more upfront but can save on energy use over time.
Top Brands
Leading water heater brands known for quality and reliability include:
- AO Smith
- Rheem
- Bradford White
- Rinnai
- Navien
Look for brand name models with good consumer reviews. Also check out professional plumbing sites like The Spruce for their recommendations of top-performing water heaters.
Maintenance Tips
To get the most out of your water heater investment:
- Drain sediment from the tank annually.
- Inspect and replace anode rods as needed.
- Keep air vents clear.
- Check pressure relief valve.
- Insulate hot water pipes.
Choosing the optimal water heater takes research, but it's worth it for energy savings, convenience, and reliability. Consult with a trusted plumber or home improvement retailer to pick the right model for your household's hot water usage and budget.
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Types of Water Heaters
There are several different types of water heaters to meet the hot water needs of today's homes. Understanding the key differences can help you choose the right option when replacing your water heater.
Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters are the most common type for residential use. They consist of an insulated tank that stores heated water until needed. Within the tank, a gas burner or electric heating elements heat the water. Key features include:
- Storage tank from 20-80 gallons.
- Energy factor of 0.60-0.70 for gas models.
- Energy factor around 0.90-0.95 for electric.
- Relatively low purchase cost.
There are some extra efficient versions as well:
- Condensing tank water heaters - Energy factor over 0.90 with secondary heat exchanger to extract more heat.
- Heat pump water heaters - Use heat pump technology to extract heat from air to heat water with energy factor over 2.0.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless (also called on-demand or instant) water heaters provide hot water without a storage tank. They heat water directly when a tap is turned on. Benefits include:
- Compact size saves space.
- Continuous and endless hot water.
- Energy efficiency since no standby heat loss.
- Long lifespan of 20 years or more.
Tankless models use gas, propane, or electric power. Gas tankless heaters have higher flow rates for whole house use. Electric tankless work well for single applications like a remote bathroom.
Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heaters
Hybrid water heaters combine efficient heat pump technology with a traditional tank storage design. Key features:
- Has a tank like standard water heater.
- Heat pump extracts ambient heat from air to help heat water.
- Very high energy factor around 3.0.
- Typically more expensive than regular tank models.
Hybrid heat pump water heaters can cut water heating costs by up to 60% compared to standard electric resistance water heaters.
Solar Water Heaters
Solar water heaters use free heat from the sun to warm water. They work best in sunny climates. There are two types:
- Active system - Circulation pump moves water through solar thermal collectors.
- Passive system - Relies on gravity and cold water entering bottom of tank.
A backup electric or gas heater provides hot water when solar energy is insufficient. While solar heaters have a high upfront cost, they can provide 60-80% of a home's hot water needs.
With an understanding of the different types available, you can select the right water heating solution for your home and family.
Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters are a common type of residential water heating system. They provide hot water on demand by heating and storing water in an insulated tank. Let's look at how they work and key factors to consider.
How Tank Water Heaters Work
Tank water heaters consist of a cylindrical tank that holds 20-80 gallons of water. Inside the tank, electric heating elements or gas burners heat the water. Thermostats control the temperature. The main components are:
- Insulated metal tank to minimize standby heat loss.
- Gas burner or electric heating elements to heat the water.
- Thermostat to control water temperature.
- Cold water inlet and hot water outlet pipes.
- Anodes to prevent corrosion.
When hot water is used in the home, cold water enters the tank and pushes the heated water out through the hot water pipe. The thermostat controls the gas burner or heating elements to maintain the set temperature.
Sizing the Tank
Choosing the right tank capacity is important. A small tank can lead to running out of hot water. Oversizing wastes energy heating more water than needed. Follow these tips:
- 40-50 gallons for 2-3 bedrooms and 1-2 bathrooms
- 50+ gallons for large families or big jetted tubs
- Check First Hour Rating for peak usage info
Energy Efficiency
Look for a high Energy Factor (EF) rating when shopping for a new tank water heater. The EF measures efficiency based on heat input and output. Typical ratings are:
- Gas tank models: 0.60 to 0.70 EF
- Electric models: 0.90 to 0.95+ EF
Condensing gas and heat pump tank models offer the highest efficiency, with EF ratings over 2.0+.
Installation Tips
Proper installation is key for tank water heater performance and longevity. Follow these guidelines:
- Place close to water supply lines and drainage.
- Allow clearance for service access to valves.
- Vent gas exhaust outside properly.
- Insulate hot water pipes to reduce heat loss.
Consult a professional plumber if you have any concerns during water heater installation or replacement.
With some research and planning, a tank water heater can provide reliable hot water for your home for many years.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand or instant water heaters, have become an increasingly popular option for homes. Tankless heaters provide hot water without the use of a storage tank. Here is an overview of how they work and key benefits.
How Tankless Water Heaters Operate
Tankless water heaters do not store hot water. Instead, they utilize high power heating elements that quickly heat water on demand when a hot water tap is opened. This on-demand delivery method provides endless hot water.
Tankless heaters monitor flow rate via a flow sensor. When the tap is opened, the flow sensor signals the heating elements to turn on and heat the water to the target temperature setting before sending it to the tap. The main components are:
- Compact unit mounted on a wall instead of a large tank
- Gas burners or electric heating elements
- Heat exchanger to transfer heat to the water
- Digital control panel to adjust temperature
- Flow sensor to detect water flow rate
Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
Here are some of the top advantages of tankless water heaters:
- Endless hot water - Never run out even with long showers
- Space saving - More compact size than tank heaters
- Energy efficient - No standby losses from stored water
- Reduced energy bills - Savings of 20-30% in some cases
- Long lifespan - Up to 20 years before needing replacement
Sizing Considerations
Tankless heaters are sized based on maximum flow rate in gallons per minute (GPM). Follow these guidelines:
- Whole house units - Minimum 200,000 BTU for gas or 27 kW for electric.
- Point-of-use - Often 120,000 BTU gas or 15 kW electric.
- High efficiency shower heads reduce required size.
Consult a sizing table or speak to a professional to choose the right tankless heater for your household's peak demand.
Installation Tips
Proper installation is important for tankless water heaters to operate safely and efficiently. Here are some key guidelines:
- Mount on an exterior wall for proper venting of exhaust gases.
- Larger gas lines may be needed for high BTU models.
- Electrical connections must meet amperage requirements.
- Install sediment filter to remove particles.
- Insulate hot water lines to maximize efficiency.
Always follow local building codes and have a qualified professional install the tankless water heater.
Tankless water heaters provide an efficient and convenient way to enjoy endless hot water. With proper sizing and installation, they can be a smart upgrade over traditional tank heaters.
Benefits of Amazon Prime for Buying Water Heaters & Parts
Amazon Prime provides a number of benefits when shopping for water heaters and related parts and accessories on Amazon.com. With millions of Prime members worldwide, it has become a go-to solution for quick, convenient shopping for home improvement projects.
Free Two-Day Shipping
One of the biggest perks of Amazon Prime is free two-day shipping on millions of eligible items. This allows you to get water heater parts delivered right to your doorstep quickly. No minimum order value is required to qualify for free two-day shipping with Prime.
Many water heater parts like valves, anodes and thermostats qualify for the two-day shipping. This enables you to order just the part you need and get it rapidly to complete repairs.
Free Same-Day Delivery
In select metro areas, Prime members can get free same-day delivery on qualifying orders over $35. This is useful when you need a part urgently to get your water heater up and running again.
To see if your area is eligible, look for the “Prime FREE Same-Day” tag when shopping. As long as you order early enough in the day, your items will arrive by 9pm.
Prime Early Access Deals
Amazon Prime members get 30 minute early access to Lightning Deals. This lets you grab time-limited discounts on water heaters and accessories before inventory sells out.
You can set up Watch Deals notifications so you never miss out on hot water heater bargains. Prime Early Access helps you snag deals at the lowest price.
By leveraging the benefits of Amazon Prime like fast free shipping and exclusive access to deals, you can purchase water heaters and parts conveniently. Prime makes it easy to get what you need quickly for your home improvement projects.
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How To Choose The Right Water Heater Size For Your Home?
Choosing the right water heater size for your home is important to ensure that you have enough hot water for your needs without wasting energy. Here are some guidelines to help you choose the right size water heater for your household:
