How to find the right model without paying too much
When properly maintained, your home’s water heater can provide a decade or more of dependable service. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. If your water heater is on its last legs and needs to be replaced, you’ll need to determine which type and brand of heater is right for your home. Here are a few guidelines that you should follow as you make your decision.
Selection Criteria
According to the Department of Energy, you need to base your water heater selection on several key factors:
- The upfront and ongoing (annualized) cost of the device
- The size and heating power of the device as it relates to the size and water use of your house
- The overall efficiency of the device
- The type of fuel used by the heater
Fuel Types
On the matter of fuel, it’s important to note that not all water heaters run on the same power source. For instance, it’s very rare to find a water heater that runs on fuel oil in Texas. However, there are some more common types of water heater fuels in our area:
- Propane and natural gas
- Geothermal heat pumps
- Conventional electricity from the home’s main power system
- Solar energy
Modes of Water Heater
Separately, there are several types of water heater available on the market today. Each has its own set of unique capabilities and considerations:
- Tankless water heaters that lack heated storage tanks
- Conventional water heaters that store heated water and require more energy to operate
- Tankless coil/indirect water heaters that efficiently harness heat from a home’s heating system
- Heat pump water heaters that leverage heat pump technology
Your Top Source for Water Heaters and Plumbing Services in Austin
No matter what type of water heater you choose for your home, you can be sure that it will provide years of faithful service and likely be significantly more energy efficient than your previous model. However, there’s still plenty that can go wrong with a heater or other plumbing equipment during the course of a typical year. If you need any sort of water heater or plumbing services in the Austin area, give us a call at (512) 837-9500 or visit us online to schedule a consultation.