Choosing the Perfect Water Heater for Your Home | Bueno Plumbing Guide. Bueno Plumbing & Rooter prepared this guide for homeowners in San Jose and across the South Bay — practical advice from licensed plumbers who handle these issues every week.
Tank vs. Tankless Water Heater
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that water heaters utilize about 20% of a home’s total energy. Your water heater is integral to your daily comfort and quality of life. It’s additionally a purchase that you’re likely to live with for a decade and perhaps 20 years or more. Let’s explore the major points you should consider before choosing the next water heater for your home.
Conventional storage water heaters are the main source of hot water for Americans and have been for over 100 years. On-demand water heaters are becoming more popular with each passing year.
Whether you prefer a tank or tankless system is a core decision you’ll require to make. Tank water heaters are appealing since most homes already have them, and they’re cheaper to buy and install. Tankless water heaters frequently require a conversion for the initial install and are more costly. The benefit is that they’re more energy efficient. They additionally last longer. Traditional water heaters last about 12 years. On-demand systems last about 20 years. That means that a tankless water can actually be cheaper over the life of the equipment despite the added initial costs.
One of the oft-overlooked advantages of a tankless system is being able to handle high demand. Consider the common scenario in which you have family stay for the holidays. Your water heater may not be up to that additional demand. The solution with a tank water heater is a bigger tank, but that’s impractical since you’ll be paying more for it on a monthly basis. With a tankless system, you can opt for a higher flow rate. This will cost you more up front, but it won’t cost you more when you’re not using that extra capacity.
Whether you choose a storage or on-demand water heater, you’ll have the choice between either an electric or fuel-burning system. Electric water heaters are cheaper to buy and install. Water heaters that burn natural gas are cheaper over time since of the lower cost of the energy. If you lack access to a natural gas line, there are water heaters that burn heating oil and propane. Whether those systems will be more cost-effective than electric depends on the prices in your area.
Energy efficiency varies from one model to the next. Some models, for instance, convert natural gas to heat energy more efficiently. The U.S. requires all water heaters to have an EnergyGuide label. This is a large yellow sticker that will provide you with the estimated annual operating cost in U.S. dollars. You can utilize this estimate to compare one water heater to another.
Handling High Demand
Water heater warranties are limited warranties that protect the property owner against component defects. Coverage for replacement labor usually lasts between one and five years. Coverage for replacement parts usually lasts between three and 12 years for tank systems and 15 years for tankless systems.
For both tank and tankless water heaters, water hardness is an essential consideration. The minerals in your water build up in the system over time. This accumulation requires maintenance and may increase your operating costs and decrease the life of your equipment. If you have difficult water, a water-softening system can lower your costs long term.
Tank water heaters have a sacrificial anode rod that you’ll require to replace every several years. Some water heaters have glass-lined tanks that make them less prone to corrosion. Electric tank water heaters are more prone to corrosion since of the heating elements. Some tankless water heaters have an integrated anti-scale device that can offset the require for a water softener.
Tank water heaters are appliances that store and heat water in a reservoir. It’s essential to size the tank appropriately for your home. If the tank is too major, you’ll utilize energy and spend money unnecessarily. If the tank is too minor, you’ll experience low water pressure and may run out of hot water. Once the hot water is gone, there’s nothing you can do but wait for the system to heat more.
The typical water heater size in the U.S. is about 50 gallons. If you live alone or in a household of two, there are smaller tanks ranging from 10 to 40 gallons. Families of four or more will want to consider a medium-sized tank of about 75 gallons. There are additionally large tanks of 100 gallons or more for bigger households. Your licensed plumber can provide you with a much more accurate estimate. A licensed plumber will factor in household size but additionally your family’s peak hour and all the fixtures and appliances in your home.
There are a range of form factors available. Manufacturers design standard tanks with the typical water heater closet in mind. There are compact units for spaces with low clearance. They are additionally tall, thin units that assist to save space in garages and similar areas.
Fuel Type
Tankless water heaters heat and deliver water as you request it. This is possible since the water is under pressure and heated in a concentrated space. Sizing is essential for on-demand systems as well. You may want to oversize your system as mentioned earlier, but you’ll certainly want to avoid a system that’s undersized. While you generally won’t run out, water pressure can drop low enough to be all but unusable.
Sizing an on-demand water heating system is more complex since there is less room for error. Your licensed plumber will size your water heater by its flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM). What you require to determine is how numerous fixtures you want to utilize simultaneously during your peak usage period.
numerous experts additionally recommend opting for a bit more than your estimate just to have that leeway. Another factor to consider is groundwater temperature. The lower that temperature, the higher GPM that you’ll require. A 5 to 7 GPM system is typical. The high end is about 10 to 11 GPM.
If you live in an older home, you may require an electrical panel upgrade. Schedule an inspection ahead of time to determine if you require that upgrade and whether you can afford the added cost. It’s additionally essential to note that fuel-burning tankless water heaters require electricity. They utilize it to start. This is not the case generally with fuel-burning tank water heaters.
Bueno Plumbing & Rooter has served property owners and businesses throughout Anaheim and the surrounding areas since 1988. Our licensed plumbers install and service all manner of conventional and on-demand water heaters . We perform rooter services, drain cleaning and all other plumbing repair.
the Bueno Plumbing team pipes and repipes water, sewer and gas lines. We additionally specialize in backflow testing, leak detection, sump pumps and water purification . You can additionally count on us for all your property maintenance and HOA requires. Call today or contact Bueno Plumbing online to learn more about these services or to schedule an appointment.
FAQ: San Jose Homeowners Ask
How quickly can Bueno Plumbing respond in San Jose?
We offer same-day and 24/7 emergency service across the South Bay. Call (408) 440-2728 for immediate help.
Do you provide upfront pricing?
Yes. We explain options and pricing before work begins so there are no surprises.
Related resources: our local plumbing services, contact Bueno Plumbing, all plumbing services.
For additional reference, see this authoritative resource on household plumbing systems: U.S. Department of Energy water heater guidance.
Schedule Service with Bueno Plumbing
Need help from a licensed plumber? Bueno Plumbing & Rooter serves the South Bay with upfront pricing and 24/7 emergency service. Learn about our services or call (408) 440-2728. License #1073601.