Hot water is essential in today’s modern world and yet many homeowners don’t really stop to think about what they need when purchasing a Water Heater in Egg Harbor Township. You may fall into this category and just call a plumber in and accept whatever recommendation he or she makes. This can be a mistake in the long run as your needs could change over time. Here are four factors you should take into consideration when choosing a Water Heater in Egg Harbor Township.
1. The type of fuel used to service your home. If you only have electric coming into the home, you will need an electric heater. If you have access to electricity, natural gas and propane, however, you’ll have a wider range of heaters to select from. Gas water heaters tend to cost more at time of purchasing, but cost less to operate over time so keep factors such as this in mind when choosing.
2. Do you want a tankless heater or would a traditional model better meet your needs? Tankless water heaters take up less space and heat the water instantly, whenever it is needed, so you have an unlimited supply of hot water. Traditional heaters, in contrast, store the water in a tank and, if the tank runs out of the hot water, you’ll only have access to hot water once the tank refills and reheats.
3. What are your demands? Many homeowners take current demands into consideration when purchasing a hot water heater and this can be a mistake. You want to ensure the heater is sized for both your current needs and any future ones. For example, if you are a young couple, you’ll need to buy a heater that can accommodate a growing family, if you are planning to have children. In contrast, if your children are growing up and moving out soon, you may want to go with a smaller tank as you won’t need as much hot water in the future. Be sure to look at the first-hour rating also.
4. What is the energy factor of the appliance? This figure tells you the efficiency of the appliance and how much you can expect to pay each year to operate it. Energy Star models are very efficient and will have an EF of at least .67. The heater must also meet all efficiency standards set forth by the federal government.
