Types Of Water Heaters & How To Choose.

A water heater is a plumbing appliance that is designed to heat cold water and in some cases, store hot water for future use. Dishwashers, clothes, washers, showers, tubs, and sinks rely on water heaters to heat incoming cold water so that these appliances and fixtures can output warm or hot water to sanitize dishes, clean clothing, and for personal hygiene upkeep.

 Most people rarely think about their water heater until there is no hot water or a leak in the tank. This is when most people realize that there are many different choices to be made about the water heater. Today, there are many options for water heating products ranging from traditional storage tank water heaters, solar systems, high efficiency condensing and tankless units. Most homes have either a 40 or 50 gallon water heater. A few key things to look for when purchasing a new water heater include; Warranty, Energy Rating and FHR (First Hour Rating). These items can all be found on the Energy Guide Label (big yellow sticker) on your tank.

 Warranty: Find out what type of warranty is offered for your hot water heater. You will want to take advantage of the longest warranty possible as the average life span of a residential water heater is 10 to 15 years.

 Energy Rating or Efficiency : This refers to how much electricity or gas a water heater uses to warm water.Depending on the model, an Energy Star water heater can save up to 50% in annual energy use.

 First Hour Rating (FHR) : This is how much hot water you get from your water heater in its first hour of operation. The FHR should be very close to how much water your family uses at its peak time, with multiple hot water uses running at the same time. Example: In the morning you may have the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine on, all requiring hot water.

 When to Replace Your Water Heater

There are usually warning signs that a water heater is on its last leg. The following are some of the most common signs that your water heater is coming to the end of its life.

 • No hot water : A cold shower will usually grab the attention of a homeowner. Water that is lukewarm is a sign that the hot water heater is at the end of its life.

• Cloudy or rusty water : The anode rod inside of your water heater is responsible for preventing the inside from rusting. Once the anode wears out, the inside of the water heater will rust, indicating the end is near.

• Rumbling or popping: No kids the noises you are hearing in the basement are not from a monster lurking in the darkness. It is a sign of a dying water heater. As a hot water heater ages, minerals from hard water build up inside the tank, creating air pockets in the hot water that create popping noises as the air is released.

• Leaking: A pool of water near the hot water heater is a clear sign that cracks have formed in the tank, causing it to spring a leak. Since a leaking hot water heater can flood a basement, schedule to replace it immediately.

• Age: Typically, a water heaters lifespan is between 10-15 years. If your water heater came with your home purchase, hopefully the previous home owner left you documentation on the water heater. If not, the serial number on the water heater typically includes a manufacturing date. In most cases, the first letter of the serial number will indicate the month it was manufactured, starting with “A” for January, ending with “L” for December. The next two numbers will indicate the year it was made. So if you see “J21” the water heater was manufactured October of 2021.

Even if you are not having any of the above issues, if your water heater is over 10 years old, you should have it maintenanced by a professional plumber. A professional plumber will examine your water heater and let you know if there are any issues with the heater. They will also give their professional opinion  about when it should be replaced.

Features to consider before purchasing a water heater.

There are a lot of different types of water heaters out there, so it is important to figure out the features that matter most to you. Consider the following when shopping for a water heater.

• Fuel : Know what fuel source you have as an option. Tank and tankless water heaters use either gas-powered flame or electric coil to heat the water. Solar heaters use the sun to warm the water.

• Size: Hot water heaters come in many different sizes. To determine the right size, consider how many people will be using the hot water. A tankless hot water heaterthat can deliver 7 gallons of water per minute or astorage tank heater with a 50-gallon capacity is usually a good fit for a family of four.

• Cost : Your hot water heater’s energy efficiency determines how much it will cost to run. A standard tank electric water heater costs about $450 a year to operate, while a gas water heater costs about $250. Tankless water heaters can save a homeowner about $108 a year in operating costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

​How to Choose a Water Heater

 When the time comes to replace your water heater, the first thing to consider is whether you want a tank or tankless heater. Tank heaters take up more space than tankless, but they have an advantage of being able to store heated water for future use. Point-of-Use and tankless water heaters are a good option for small condos or houses where space is limited, though these efficient systems come with a higher price tag than traditional tank water heaters.

Another factor to think about is the fuel type. Most water heaters rely on gas, electricity or a combination of the two.If you prefer to use renewable energy sources, you can install a solar water heater. For tank heaters, you will need to check the capacity of the tank. A 40-50 gallon tank is good for a home with two or three people, increasing the capacity by about 10 gallons for each additional person. The capacity of a tankless heater is difficult to calculate as it is based on the flow rate in gallons per minute.

 Traditional storage tank water heaters are the most common type of water heater on the market. They are manufactured to high safety, energy and air quality standards. They are composed of an insulated tank typically holding anywhere from 30 to 80 gallons of water, which is heated by natural gas or electricity. They store a large amount of water, holding it hot until you need it. Cold water then fills the tank as hot water is drained, to be heated and stored for future use. Natural gas water heaters are a bit more expensive than electric water heaters and professionalinstallation is recommended. However, a natural gas water heater will use 10 percent less energy than electric, which means greater savings yearly. Their life expectancy is 10 -15 years.

Tankless water heaters are made to rapidly heat cold water as it passes through a short series of super-heated coils to provide an endless supply of hot water. They are less than half the size of a standard tank water heater, making themideal for small condos, apartments, or townhomes. They can be fueled by natural gas or electricity, though natural gas tankless heaters tend to be more efficient. Tanklesswater heaters do not waste energy heating and reheating a tank of water. Instead, the water is heated when needed.The cost to purchase and install a tankless water heater is generally higher than the cost and installation of a traditional storage tank water heater. These have a life expectancy of 20-25 years.

 Solar Water Heaters are best for high-efficiency, renewable energy water heating. They reduce yearly utility costs by using energy from the sun to heat the water. Solar water heaters have a large insulated tank where the water is stored until it is ready to be used, similar to a Traditional tank water heater. The main difference being that solar water heaters collect solar energy with solar panels and convert this energy into electricity to heat the water. Although they do not solely rely on solar power, there is usually a gas or electric back-up fuel system to ensure that you always have access to hot water. Solar water heaters are less effective in areas that are prone to heavy snow fall as the snow blocks the solar panels, preventing solar energy collection.

 Point-of-use water heaters provide hot water to a single plumbing fixture such as a shower or kitchen sink. Tank point-of-use water heaters typically have a small storage tank to keep a limited amount of water ready for use. Tankless point-of-use water heaters are good for showers because you don’t need to worry about running out of hot water in the middle of a relaxing shower. These systems are relatively affordable and do not take up a lot of space as they can be installed out of sight under the sink. Although they are discreet, they are generally less efficient than most other water heater types.

 Regardless of your water heater needs, Rootbusters Plumbing can help you with these difficult water heater decisions. We offers free, no obligation estimates from a professional, licensed plumber. Call us today to set up your estimate.