Choosing Between Hot Water Heaters

When choosing between hot water heaters there are several things that ought to be taken into consideration. You will certainly want to look closely at the variations between different brands. Obviously, a good place to start for this would be the various consumer report publications that are printed every year. These will let you know what other consumers are saying about the products that you're considering and will give you valuable insight into just how well the products work. Aside from this, though, there are other factors that you will need to think about when deciding which unit to purchase.

Energy Efficiency

In the last decade or so, energy efficiency has become a greater concern than ever before. In light of the preponderance of scientific data concerning the importance of controlling energy usage, it is imperative to choose an appliance that uses that energy efficiently. Additionally, the rising cost of energy in the United States has led manufacturers to build appliances that produce the same output as before while using less energy, and hot water heaters are no exception. Therefore, energy efficiency should be among your first concerns when comparing products.

Your Local Climate

Another thing to consider when comparing hot water heaters is whether or not the unit you're looking at makes sense for the climate in which you live. In many southern climates with consistently high temperatures, the water is naturally warmer than that of northern climates. Moreover, you are much less likely to take a scalding hot shower during the winter months in hotter climates. It is also important to have an idea of the water table in your area. In cities that are at or below sea level it is often not possible to bury water mains deeper than a few feet. When this happens, water pipes that are closer to the surface of the ground tend to be more easily affected by the air temperature. Thus, if you live in a southern city with shallow piping, then your water temperature is going to be naturally high, and you won't need your water heater to work as hard as you would if you were in a northern city with deep piping.

Your Personal Needs

Finally, you should buy the unit that makes the most sense for your needs. When deciding between hot water heaters, take into consideration the actual amount of hot water that you and your family use. If you're single and live alone, then a small unit might be all that you need. On the other hand, if you have a spouse and five children, then you'll want something much larger. It is also important to take into consideration the other appliances that you own. If you have a dishwasher and a washing machine that use high volumes of hot water, then you'll want to take them into consideration when choosing which unit to buy. In short, it is important to take into consideration all of your needs before purchasing a hot water heater.