3 Important Considerations Before Purchasing A New Water Heater

Do you have a water heater that has started acting up? Are you wanting to get a new water heater before your current one dies completely? Although you can sometimes repair a faulty water heater, there are limits to that ability. At some point, you will definitely have to replace the unit that you have. But instead of simply going out and getting the exact same type as before, it's important to take a few things into account first. This will help ensure that your new water heater is able to last as long as possible.

Size of unit: A bigger size does not always equal a better unit when it comes to hot water tank installations. When you're constantly running out of hot water, it might be tempting to get the largest water heater that will fit in the space, but this isn't necessary. It might be better to get a tankless or near-tankless option instead. These options are able to heat up a large amount of water very rapidly, meaning that you never "run out" of hot water. As a bonus, you're no longer going to be spending money keeping dozens of gallons of water hot throughout the day, meaning your utility bills will be lower. 

Size of your home: The larger your home is, the longer the pipes are going to be that the water will need to flow through in order to reach the various fixtures. The longer the pipes are, the more the water will cool off before it gets used. One possible solution is to insulate your pipes better so that less heat is lost as water flows through them. Another possible solution, depending on the size of your home, is to actually have two hot water tank installations. The first would be installed where your current water heater is located. The second would be a small tankless option located much closer to or in the same room as the fixtures that are the furthest away from the other water heater. Although having multiple water heaters is relatively uncommon, it's not all that unusual for larger homes.

Location of unit: There are many practical reasons for the placement of hot water tank installations. In older homes, that may have simply been the only place to put a water heater when water heaters were invented. In newer homes, careful consideration should have been made when planning where to put the water heater. But if the insulation in the area isn't that great, the water heater may have a harder time keeping water hot even though it has insulation of its own. It might pay to invest in additional insulation around the water heater; consult with a professional to find out if this is a wise choice.

To learn more, contact a resource like Silverdale Plumbing & Heating Inc.


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