The Most Important Factor to Consider When Choosing a New Water Heater - Wisler Plumbing & Air

The Most Common Issue

Where do homeowners even begin when it comes to choosing a new water heater? The most common mistake that I see in homes is a water heater that isn’t sized properly, or one that wouldn’t be able to meet the demand for water in a household. But how does such a common issue even occur in all these homes in the first place?

What is the Demand on the Unit?

What often happens is, a family will buy a home and the people living there before them might have been an elderly couple who lived by themselves. (This home might have been a bit on the large side, so they moved into something more suitable.) Once the family moves into their new home, what would have been just fine for the elderly couple simply can’t stand up to the large family (especially with teenagers). The water heater may be very undersized and it just won’t be able to handle the demand.

While choosing a water heater, it becomes incredibly important for homeowners to consider the actual demand for hot water. Is the family’s water usage habit resulting in a very large demand? Or is there actually not very much demand? From there, you can determine the water heater that will make the most sense. A household with very large demand would be best served by a tankless or gas water heater, which will help maximize the efficiency of the system. Whereas, if there isn’t very much demand at all, an electric tank water heater or hybrid electric water heater would make the most sense. Ultimately, your choice will really be centered around how much water you need.

What is the Best Kind?

Tank water heaters are not going to be anywhere near as efficient as a tankless water heater, which works on-demand. When comparing a gas water heater vs. an electric water heater, gas is going to be much more efficient and produce more hot water. But the best advice I can give someone when making the decision is to just ask a professional. Water heating is something that takes money out of your pocket—it’s something that you have to pay for on an ongoing basis every single month. Whenever you have to make a decision like that, you don’t want to pick something that is inefficient. It would end up costing you more money, month by month, every single month that you own the water heater.

Get Help Making the Decision

Don’t make an off-the-cuff decision about which water heater to choose. Get a professional involved and make sure they understand your needs for hot water. They will know the various different brands and equipment, including what would make most sense for longevity over a period of 10 years. That’s going to save you a lot of money in the long run.

If you’re in the market for a new water heater and want the assistance of a professional, get started today by reaching out to the team at Wisler Plumbing and Air. Contact us online or give us a call at 540-483-9382.