| Whether you are buying a hot water heater for | | | | An undersized tank on a house would not be |
| the first time, or replacing an old hot water | | | | desirable as a selling point and may even prevent |
| heater, there are some factors that you definitely | | | | the home from passing Inspection. All this being |
| should keep in mind when shopping, such as: | | | | said, keep in mind that if you do decide you need |
| | | | a larger water heater, the space where you are |
| How much room do you have in the space where | | | | going to be putting the tank must be adequate. |
| you will be installing the water heater? | | | | Hot water heaters range in size from 20 to 80 |
| You want to make sure that you don't buy a | | | | gallons, but the most common sizes used are |
| water heater that is too large to fit in the space | | | | 40-50 gallons. |
| you have available. So, it would be good to | | | | As a general rule of thumb, you can go by the |
| measure the space available and bring these | | | | number of people in your household to determine |
| measurements with you when you are shopping | | | | the w. heater that would most likely be required |
| for the new water heater. | | | | under normal demand circumstances. Normal |
| | | | demand capacities are based on a home with |
| Does your water heater need to be electric, gas, | | | | typical appliances, such as a washing machine, |
| or propane? | | | | dishwasher, and normal sized bathtubs. It would |
| Most water heaters are either electric or gas, and | | | | be considered an extra demand, or more than |
| they are not interchangeable. So, be sure the unit | | | | normal demand, if you had a home with a hot |
| you buy is designed to work with your energy | | | | tub, spa, over-sized bathtub, children over the age |
| source. | | | | of twelve (teenagers can use a lot of water), or |
| Choose a water heater that is Energy Efficient. | | | | even small children (large amount of laundry). For |
| A very high percentage of a household's energy | | | | a family of 1 or 2, under normal circumstances, a |
| costs go toward heating the family's hot water. | | | | 40 gallon tank should be sufficient. More than |
| The average American family uses an amazing | | | | normal demand would probably require a 50 gallon |
| amount of hot water. Twenty five percent or | | | | tank for 1 or 2 people. If your family has 3 or 4 |
| more of a family's energy expenses come from | | | | people, then a 50 gallon tank would usually suffice |
| just the cost of running the hot water heater. | | | | under normal circumstances. For a greater |
| Therefore, when you are selecting which hot w. | | | | demand, then a 50 gallon gas water heater would |
| heater to buy, it makes a lot of sense to buy the | | | | probably still be sufficient, but if your tank is |
| most energy efficient model possible. Even if this | | | | electric, you might consider an 80 gallon heater. |
| efficient model costs a little bit more in the | | | | Gas heaters are usually able to heat up the water |
| beginning to purchase, it will save a lot of money | | | | in a tank faster. And, finally, if your family has 5 |
| in the long run. Most retailers who sell hot water | | | | or more people, then a 50 gallon gas heater is |
| heaters will post a sign on each unit that tells you | | | | probably still adequate under normal |
| how much energy it pulls, as well as the average | | | | circumstances. If your tankis electric, then an 80 |
| yearly cost of running the unit. This information is | | | | gallon heater would be recommended under |
| called the Energy Factor (EF), which is calculated | | | | normal demand. If you are in a situation where |
| after a mandatory evaluation done on all water | | | | your demand would be more than normal, then |
| heaters. It takes into account usage, standby loss, | | | | go to a 75 gallon gas tank, and perhaps even a |
| insulation, etc. Since the "Energy Star" rating has | | | | 120 gallon electric, if the space you have available |
| not yet been applied to hot water heaters, you | | | | for your hot water heater is large enough to |
| will want to use the EF (Energy Factor) rating, as | | | | accommodate. Remember, you want to buy the |
| well as individual information on energy | | | | water heater that will do the job NOW and in the |
| effectiveness that is posted on each unit. Simply | | | | FUTURE. So keep in mind what your future |
| compare numbers from one unit to another. | | | | requirements will be. |
| Choose a water heater with a good warranty. | | | | Choose the proper method of installation - Use a |
| Since so many manufacturers have cut costs to | | | | Professional Plumber. |
| lower the expense the manufacturing process, | | | | Installing the water heater is not a job for the |
| most w. heaters today will not last much longer | | | | layman. It involves plumbing work, as well as gas |
| than their warranty. So go for the heater with | | | | or electric work. Mistakes in installation are one of |
| the longest warranty. But just a long warranty in | | | | the most common causes of injury and water |
| itself is not a protection. You also have to look at | | | | heater failures, so this job is best left up to the |
| the warranty exclusions. Sometimes these | | | | professionals. Installation also involves a knowledge |
| warranties have fine print. So it may look like a | | | | of current local code ordinances to make sure the |
| great warranty on the outside, but then the fine | | | | tank is installed in such a way as to pass those |
| print could say that the causes of most hot | | | | codes for that area. For instance, if you live in |
| water heater failures are notcovered. | | | | Dallas, TX, you would definitely want to use a |
| Choose the right size of water heater | | | | Dallas plumber who is familiar with the codes for |
| Finding the right size of water heater to match | | | | that area. Also, they would be familiar with the |
| your family's needs is important. If you choose a | | | | water quality of Dallas and any unique |
| w. heater that is too small, you will find that just | | | | characteristics. Dallas is known for its hard water, |
| as you lather up the shampoo in your hair the | | | | for example. This can cause premature rusting |
| water turns cold. But if you choose a tank that is | | | | inside your w. heater. An experienced Dallas |
| way too big, you will have a higher than | | | | plumber would take special precautions to extend |
| necessary utility bill each month to heat up the | | | | the life of your w. heater and avoid any |
| tank. You can ask yourself now if you frequently | | | | unnecessary rusting and corrosion. They might |
| run out of hot water. If so, then check the size | | | | suggest that you add certain inexpensive |
| of your current water heater, and you will know | | | | enhancements to your w. heater to help resist |
| that you are going to require a larger size. If the | | | | premature rusting. So, bottom line, if you live in |
| size you have now seems to do the job, then | | | | Dallas, you need to enlist the help of the best |
| ask yourself what your FUTURE needs are going | | | | Dallas plumber to install, maintain, and inspect your |
| to require. Remember, you are buying one w. | | | | water heater on a regular basis. Likewise, if you |
| heater for life, so you must consider if the family | | | | live in any other city, you should hire a local |
| is going to expand in the future, or if you plan on | | | | plumber who has many years of experience as a |
| buying a hot tub, spa, jacuzzi or over-sized | | | | professional in that local. |
| bathtub in the future. Are you a laundry heavy | | | | These questions discussed above are not meant |
| family? Any additional future needs must be | | | | to discuss every possible situation and |
| considered when sizing your hot water heater. | | | | circumstance, although they should definitely give |
| Even if there are only 2 of you in the home now, | | | | you some guidelines in selecting the right w. |
| and maybe it's a 4 bedroom home and you have | | | | heater for your particular needs. For further |
| no intention of growing your family or increasing | | | | direction and guidance, ask a respectable and |
| your water needs, it is always recommended that | | | | knowledgeable plumber in your area. They will be |
| you size the water heater for the house, in case | | | | able to share a wealth of information and make |
| you ever decide in the future to sell this home. | | | | professional recommendations. |