What happens when all your children need to take a shower, you need to get the dishes done, and there’s a pile of laundry ready to be washed, but your water heater isn’t up to the task? You’ll have to be the one to decide who gets the hot water first, or you can decide that your Berlin, Maryland, home can use a new water heater. If you’ve decided that a new water heater should be part of your future plans, here are some things to consider.
Type of Storage
Conventional water heaters are often the first ones that people consider. These heaters have a large storage tank where hot water is stored waiting to be used. These tanks typically have between 20 and 80 gallons of water. A larger storage tank might be a good idea if you’re investing in a new heater because of a shortage of hot water in your home, but going bigger than you need could affect your energy usage.
Conventional water heaters do have a drawback in that this type of water heater can result in energy loss as it constantly keeps hot water ready for use. This wasted energy can impact how much you pay for your energy bills.
A water heater type that has received a lot of attention lately is the tankless water heater. It provides hot water on demand by heating up the water when a faucet is turned on rather than storing it. This option is more energy efficient and can help in households that use a large amount of hot water in a short period of time.
The key drawbacks to this type of system are that it may require a larger upfront investment for the system and it may have a slower flow rate, especially if the demand for hot water is constant in your home.
Type of Fuel Used
When replacing a water heater, some homeowners may get into the mindset that they have to stick to the same fuel type that their old water heater utilized, but that’s not necessarily the case. While fuel type may be limited based on availability, in the long-run, it may be more cost-effective for you to change to another fuel type. Some examples include electric, natural gas, fuel oil, geothermal, solar, and propane. Checking the rates for your area and comparing them to what you’re paying for your current fuel source can give you an idea of how much you could be saving.
Sizing Your Water Heater
A final thing to consider is the size of the water heater you choose. Even when opting for a tankless system, size matters when it comes to being able to keep up with demand and not overwhelming your utility bills.
A water heater that’s too small won’t be able to meet your needs for hot water and can leave you in a dilemma of who gets to use the hot water first. A water heater that’s too large will be able to provide your household with all the hot water it needs, but it comes at a higher energy cost that can cause your utility bills to shoot up. You want to find the water heater that’s just right for your home.
There are a number of things that you need to take into consideration when it comes to the size of the water heater to hit that sweet spot. One of the first things you have to consider is the amount of hot water used in your home. A household of two won’t have the same hot water needs as a growing family. A person who has a lot of laundry needs more hot water than someone who goes to a laundromat. The size of your home, the location of the heater, and heater type are all additional considerations.
Don’t let your old water heater become a bone of contention in your home with everyone arguing over who’s going to get the first shower. Contact Griffith Energy Services at 888-474-3391 today to discuss upgrading your water heater or any HVAC maintenance needs. Our professional staff can help you with any questions you may have regarding your water heater needs or starting the process of having a new water heater installed.
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