Nothing lasts forever, especially when you’re talking about appliances and other things that make your home life comfortable. Many times we really don’t realize how much we need or use something until it breaks down on us. One of the things that find myself replacing for my customers on a weekly basis is the water heater. It is definitely an appliance that people don’t pay too much attention to, until one day they go to take a shower and only cold water is coming out. It’s no surprise that people don’t pay much attention to the water heater since it is usually behind a door or in a utility room where it isn’t seen on a daily basis. When the time does come to replace a water heater or to install one in new construction, there are many things that should be considered.
Current Conditions. What are the current conditions of the water heater? This means finding out what kind of water heater it is and how it is connected. Is the unit an electric model, natural gas, or does it run on propane gas? Are any or all of these types of connections possible if you want to change the type of unit you have? After you have determined this, you will want to take measurements of the space where the unit is found. Some units are taller and/or wider than others and the space that you have available will be factor to consider when getting a new water heater.
Size of the Unit. Water heaters for residential applications come in 40 and 50 gal capacities (these are the sizes that are usually used, but other capacities are available). To determine which capacity your unit should be, it is important to consider how many people will be using the bathrooms and appliances that will run off of the unit itself. These guidelines can be gathered from specific sites or by working with your plumber. These water heaters also come in short models, sometimes called a low boy or they come in taller models as well. These options were designed to fit in spaces that aren’t the standard size.
Efficiency. There are many water heaters on the market that have been given energy star ratings and are designed to run more efficiently than the average unit. Of course, these units have a larger initial cost, but they will save you money on your electric bill in the long run. Among these energy efficient models is the tankless water heater. As the name says, this unit doesn’t have a storage tank where hot water is stored. Instead water is warmed as it passes through the unit which means that it only works when hot water is needed. This also means that a continuous supply of hot water is available when you need it.
Whatever you decide to do, or if you just need replacement parts or other water heater accessories, visit Plumber’s Stock to find what you need. They have a good selection for your water heating needs!