Shopping for a new water heater can be a pretty confusing process. Like shopping for anything, the water heater market provides an incredible amount of options to choose from. Gone are the days when there was one type of standard water heater. Instead, you can expect to not only choose between competing companies, but also between different fuel types, efficiency ratings and differences in sizing.
Especially if this is the first time you are buying a water heater—which is not all that uncommon, since they’ll often last 10 to 20 years—then it can seem like a daunting process when you first begin. A major mistake is to simply write the information down from your current water heater and attempt to buy a similar one. For all you know the person that bought or installed it in the first place purchased the wrong size. But by doing this you also miss out on some of the greatest advances in water heater technology, especially when it comes to energy efficiency. Here is a quick guide to shopping around prior to water heater installation in Grand Junction, CO.
Think beyond price
There are quite a few variables to consider when buying a new water heater. Obviously you are concerned about price, and it never hurts to save coupons or to try and get in on a sale, but you need to make sure what you end up with is the right type of water heater for your house. Another concern is availability. Especially if your water heater is broken and you need urgent water heater installation in Grand Junction, CO, you probably do not want to wait for a backordered item. Cost and availability are important, but keep these other criteria in mind as well.
Many factors effect a water heater’s efficiency
Your current water heating system runs on a specific fuel type. Definitely do not make the mistake of buying a water heater that runs on a different fuel source, as this will make water heater installation in Grand Junction, CO a whole lot more difficult. Nearly as important is the size. Getting a water heater that is too small means not enough hot water given the size of your house, while a heater that is too large will lead to much higher energy bills. Sizing depends on quite a few factors, so make sure you look into this ahead of time, or ask a professional plumbing company for advice. Another consideration is whether you want a storage or on-demand system. Storage means storing lots of hot water, whereas on-demand means heating it quickly as you are using it. Both have pros and cons, so ask a professional about this, too.
Finally, put a lot of thought into energy efficiency ratings. One of the best areas of advancement in water heaters over the past decade has been in efficiency. Basically this allows you to get enough hot water while using much less energy. Using less energy will save you money every month when you receive your energy bill, and it can also help a unit last longer. The rating system is easy to understand, and will only marginally effect the overall price of the unit. Be sure to keep all these factors in mind next time you need to shop for a new water heater.