The water heater is a necessity. You need to make sure it meets your and your family’s needs. When you shop for a new water heater, choose an energy-efficient unit that provides enough water for the whole family.
Consider the energy bills and problems you’re currently facing, make a list, and ensure the new unit addresses those issues. Alternatively, you can follow this comprehensive guide to shop for the best unit.
Types of Units
It’s good to know the types of water heater units available.
- Tankless Heaters: These water heaters are demand-type units that directly heat water. They don’t have a storage tank because they’re designed to directly provide a sufficient hot water supply.
- Conventional Storage Heaters:These units have a storage tank offering a hot water reservoir for daily use.
- Tankless Coil Heaters: These units utilize your home’s heating system to heat the water.
- Heat Pump Heaters:These units pump heat from one place to another. These units save costs due to high efficiency.
- Solar Heaters:These units use solar energy (sun’s heat) to generate hot water. They also save costs on energy bills.
Criteria for Selection
Consider the following selection criteria to choose the best model:
- Size: If you want maximum efficiency and an adequate hot water supply, ensure that you pick the right unit size. Surf the internet and contact your local HVAC provider for more ideas.
- Cost, Fuel Type, and Availability: The energy source and fuel type affect your unit’s annual cost.
- Cost:Get a fair idea of cost and annual operating expenses. Compare the costs with other units to determine which type of water heater is right for you.
- Energy Efficiency:If you want to save cost and maximize energy, don’t forget to check how efficient a unit is.
Types of Fuel
Consider the following sources of energy and fuel type:
- Fuel Oil: This type of fuel is available in some parts of the US to fuel traditional water heaters, space heating systems, and indirection combination water heaters.
- Electricity:This is a widely available source of fuel for heat pumps and tankless units. Electricity is also used for space and combination water heating systems, including indirect water and tankless coil heaters.
- Natural Gas:It’s used to fuel traditional demand and storage units as well as indirect and coil water heaters.
- Geothermal Energy: This fuel is only appropriate for units with a geothermal heat pump.
- Solar Energy:Many modern units can fuel energy through sunlight. It’s also available across the US.
- Propane:Propane is used to fuel traditional units such as tankless, indirect, and coil water heaters.
How To Decide?
If your area has more than one type of fuel option available, you can decide by comparing fuel costs. You can also contact a utility provider for rates and costs of fuel for comparison.
The type of unit you choose will affect the heating costs. Remember that one type of unit can use one type of fuel more efficiently than another.
You can hire us for a water heater service in San Francisco. At I Rooter & Plumbing, we assist people in water heater repair and installation service. You can schedule your appointment online or give us a call today to get your queries addressed.