So the time has come for a new water heater in your Waterford, MI home. If that’s the case you have likely already discovered there are lots of decisions to be made about what kind of replacement is best for your home. Gas versus electric. Tank-style versus tankless. Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing has a brief list of things for you to consider.
Size matters
If you are planning on a tank-style water heater replacement you may be in for a surprise. Whether gas or electric, the new generation of storage water heaters are more efficient because government regulations now require better insulation. That’s good news, but in order to meet those regulations tank-style heaters are larger than they used to be. Let’s say you have a 50 gallon water heater. A new model of the same capacity will likely be taller and wider in diameter. If you have a tight fit you may find the new water will not fit in the same space as the old one.
Fuel choice
Natural gas, propane, or electric are all available choices for a water heater replacement. If you already have natural gas service to your home or are already using a gas heater, it’s likely the best way to go because it’s the most economical. Propane is more expensive and requires you to buy or rent a tank if you don’t have one on the property. If that’s a problem then an electric water heater may be the best choice for you.
Location
A water heater replacement is also a good chance to think where the heater is located. As we indicated above, sometimes size requirements mean the location has to be changed. Or perhaps moving it closer to the master bath so you don’t need to wait as long for the hot water to arrive.
High flow vs. low flow
Your water use also determines the type and capacity of water heater that’s right for you. If you are in love with long showers and rain type showerheads or spa tubs, you must make sure the water heater you choose is up to those demands. In the case of a tankless the burner or electrical heating elements must be of the proper size to meet those flow rate requirements. If it’s tank style heater then it must be a larger capacity to meet the demand.
Tank vs. tankless
There are two big advantages to having a correctly sized tankless water heater: A virtually unlimited supply of hot water and reduced energy consumption because you are not keeping an entire tank of water heated 24/7. But, if you already have a tank-style heater it will generally be simpler and cheaper to replace it with another one.
Ready, willing & able to help
Whatever questions you have about a water heater replacement in your Waterford, MI home, Kotz Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is here to help you determine what’s the best solution in your situation. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
