Selecting the Right Water Heater for Your Mesa, AZ Home
During the winter, the water heater becomes one of the most essential and used home appliances. It is the second-largest energy-consuming appliance in a home, contributing about 20% to the energy bills. Therefore, when homeowners look for a water heater, they want something that not only provides enough hot water to fulfill the household requirements but is also energy-efficient.
When looking to replace the old water heater, a homeowner can be overwhelmed by the several new energy-efficient models that have flooded the market. While selecting the water heater for your Mesa, AZ home, it is essential to pick the right one that not only ensures a steady hot water supply but also does so economically. Here are some critical things to know before making the purchase:
Types of water heaters
Storage water heaters are the most common and popular type of water heaters found in most households. They come with a tank that stores the heated water that can be used on-demand. These are inexpensive but have a high operating cost due to standby heat loss. Their average lifespan is 10-12 years and is not very efficient.
Tankless, instant, or on-demand water heaters supply hot water instantly when required. They are compact, highly efficient, but expensive. They can operate using either gas or electricity.
Heat pumps use electricity not to generate heat but trap it from the surrounding environment to heat water in the storage tank. These are more efficient than the conventional storage water heaters but have a high upfront cost and specific temperature requirement.
Solar water heaters are the most energy-efficient as they use the sun’s energy to operate. But they are also expensive to install and are not suited for areas that remain cold and cloudy for most of the year.
Here are a few considerations that can help in selecting the best type of water heater for your home:
Fuel type. The type of fuel the water heater uses will affect its operating cost and energy-efficiency. Different types of fuels used by heaters include electricity, natural gas, geothermal energy, fuel oil, and solar energy. Consider the fuel type widely available in the area and its cost.
Size. The size will depend on the number of family members and hot water consumption in the household. For storage water heaters, check the first-hour rating, and for the tankless ones, consider the gallons-per-minute (GPM). Getting an appropriately sized unit is essential to ensure substantial annual savings.
Energy-efficiency. Check the energy-efficiency rating before buying a water heater. An efficient unit can help you save up to 60% on the energy bills.
Cost. Cost is an important deciding factor when it comes to selecting a water heater. Take into account the purchase, installation, annual operating, and maintenance costs to make the best choice.
Whether looking for a water heater as an addition to the newly constructed or remodeled Mesa, AZ home or as a replacement for the old and outdated water heater, selecting the right one is essential. It will be with you for a long-time and will affect home energy costs. Consult a local plumber for assistance in making the right decision.
If you need a licensed, bonded, experienced plumber for plumbing installation and service in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Queen Creek, Ahwatukee or San Tan Valley call Norfleet Family Plumbing Heating and Air at 480-681-1764.
