What to Consider When Replacing Your Water Heater
For most homeowners, the only time they think about their water heater is when the heater suddenly stops working. However, placing proactive thought into your choice of replacement water heater can help you save thousands of dollars in maintenance and repair costs while enhancing the convenience of your home water use.
To help you navigate your water heater replacement options, our plumbers here at Thunderbird Plumbing offer this guide on the factors to consider when replacing your water heater.
Tankless Vs. Storage Tank Heaters
One leading consideration for replacing your water heater is the choice between tankless and storage tank heaters. Tankless water heaters offer more affordable maintenance and have lower overall energy costs. Tankless heaters are known for their extended lifetime performance, with fewer moving parts that could require repair. A further advantage of tankless heaters is that they take up far less space in the home, which makes tankless water heaters a solid option for strata properties and smaller residences where square footage is at a premium.
You might also compare how tankless and storage tank heaters help meet home water demand. If you have a large family and plan to run multiple water appliances simultaneously- including showers and sinks – you may be better off choosing a storage tank heater. Speak with a plumber before opting for tankless or storage tank heaters. Your local plumber can analyze the water demand in the home and then help you determine the right choice based on cost analysis, demand analysis, and your personal water use preferences.
Water Heater Fuel Types
The fuel your water heater uses impacts the heater’s energy costs and maintenance requirements for the long term. Understanding the difference between the various water heater styles can help you identify the right equipment for your home. Water heaters generally use the following fuel:
Natural Gas
Natural gas water heaters use a gas burner at the bottom of the tank and have a venting system that runs through the center to a chimney at the top. Natural gas water heaters may be more expensive to install than electric heaters, but will cost less to maintain.
Propane
Propane water heaters generally work similarly to natural gas water heaters, with a venting system that carries the water vapor and heating by-products to the outside. Propane systems will require a large tank on your property. Unlike natural gas systems, propane fuel is non-toxic and does not ignite easily due to its narrow flammability range.
Oil
Oil water heaters use oil and electricity and have an oil-fired heater with a burner that ignites the combination of water and oil fuel. The main benefit of oil water heaters is that they heat the water quickly than comparable models using different fuel sources.
Electric
The wide range of available electric water heaters is a clear benefit when finding the ideal size system to meet the water heating demand in your home. Electric water heaters also have no pilot light and won’t require relighting. Electric water heaters are also available at a lower cost than comparable models featuring other fuel sources. However, you may face higher operating costs due to the rise in the price of electricity.
How to Choose the Right Size of Water Heater
Selecting the ideal size of water for your home will ensure you meet home water demand without spending too much on heating unused water. Finding this balance will be crucial to maintaining water heating efficiency for the years ahead.
Household Size Linked to Water Heater Demand
The amount of water used by each person in the home will determine the demand for your water heater and the ideal tank size for your family. Generally, plumbers recommend the following tank capacity based on the size of your household:
- 1 or 2 people: 23 to 36 gallons
- 2 to 4 people: 36 to 46 gallons
- 3 to 5 people: 46 to 56 gallons
- 5 or more people: over 56 gallons (add 10 gallons per additional person)
Consider the First Hour Rating
All water heaters have a first-hour rating, which signifies the amount of water the heater can provide within a single hour when you start with a full tank. For example, a standard Bradford White 40-gallon natural gas heater may have a first-hour rating of 75 gallons.
Turn to Thunderbird Plumbing for Water Heating Equipment Selection and Installation
Thunderbird Plumbing has made its name on its comprehensive knowledge of plumbing equipment and its performance. Our team is here to help you navigate the water heater replacement process while providing clear guidance based on our decades of experience. If you’re considering water heater replacement, request a visit from our plumbers or call 250-514-4044 to explore the right fit for your home and lifestyle.