What Kind of Water Heater Should I Purchase?

Whether you are looking to install a new water heater or replace your existing old water heater, you might be wondering what kind of water heater to purchase. There are many types of water heaters on the market and your friends here at Neighborhood Plumbing are here to make the choice a little bit easier. We cannot tell you which kind of water heater to purchase, but we will give you some pros and cons of some of the common types. If you need to hire a qualified technician for your water heater installation or replacement, then put your faith in the folks at Neighborhood Plumbing. We are always ready to help with quality, quick, and affordable service.

Traditional Tank-Style Water Heaters

Let’s start with what we are all familiar with: the traditional, tank-style water heater. These are the most common type of water heater and come in electric- and gas-powered models. As the name suggests, these have an insulated tank that stores water which is heated before being delivered to target plumbing fixtures.

Tank-style water heaters are preferable for their low upfront installation costs, but they can run up your electricity or gas bills when compared to the alternative water heater types. Of course, there is also the inconvenience of a relatively large tank taking up valuable space on your property.

When you choose a tank-style water heater, you want to get the right size. Otherwise, you can end up with an insufficient amount of hot water. Tanks are measured in gallons and the general rule of thumb is to have about 10 to 15 gallons per household member. So, a two-person household should go with something like a 24- to 30-gallon tank and a four-person household will need a 40- to 50-gallon tank.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also called demand-type water heaters, heat water as you need it. These units heat water with a gas burner or electric heating elements as it travels through the distribution pipe. This gives you a near-instant and constant supply of hot water. No need to wait for a massive tank of water to heat up, which brings us to the benefit of tankless water heaters: energy efficiency.

While the upfront installation cost of demand-type water heaters can be expensive, the energy savings make them cost-effective in the long-run. Plus, tankless water heaters generally last longer than tank-style water heaters. This means you get the enjoy the water-efficiency for longer and don’t have to worry about frequent replacements.

A demand-type water heater heats water as it passes through the pipes, so you are going to get hot water on demand, but there is a caveat. The unit must be the right size. These heaters heat a certain number of gallons per minute. To choose the right sized heater, you have to calculate the maximum amount of hot water you expect to use.

Call Now to Schedule an Installation or Replacement

Are you ready to install a new or replace your old water heater? Call Neighborhood Plumbing to speak with a courteous representative and schedule a flexible appointment today.