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Nearly
every home has a water heater installed to store and heat
water. Hot water heaters are powered by either electricity
or gas, depending on the available energy source in that
area.
Both the gas and the electric water heaters function
similarly in that they heat water they also come in sizes
ranging from twenty gallons to over one hundred gallons.
These tank systems usually have a life expectancy of about
10 to 15 years. Many times when an individual’s hot water
heater wears out, the individual simply replaces it with
another one. However, before you replace your old system
with one just like it, there are several facts you should
consider.
When replacing your old system, if you already have gas
connections, then a gas generated water heater would be your
best option. Gas water heaters are usually more cost
efficient than electric, however they do require that they
be properly vented, whereas the electric units can be
installed almost anywhere in the home. If electric is your
primary source of energy then an electric water heater will
be your best option. In certain areas it is possible to
convert from electric to gas, however the cost to do so can
be extremely high. Therefore, it is best to use whichever
fuel source is already installed.
The next factor you should consider it the capacity of the
water heater. To ensure that you or a member of your family
won’t run out of hot water, you have to examine your
family's needs, keeping in mind how your family is changing
or will be changing in the future. You also have to
determine how your hot water is used, and the regular
demands for hot water. A family of two may only require a
water heater, which has a thirty-gallon capacity if their
hot water demands are low, however this same family of two
may need a fifty-gallon capacity if their hot water demands
are high. Families of four should consider hot water heater
with a fifty to eighty gallon tank for moderate hot water
demands where as a families of five or should consider a hot
water heater with a more one hundred twenty gallon capacity
if there hot water demands are high.
The recovery rate of a hot water heater is the number of
gallons of water the system can heat to the desired
temperature per hour. The recovery rate is a very
significant fact to consider when purchasing a water heater
especially if your household consists of several individual
who consume significant amounts of hot water at the same
time. Such as, if you have several individuals who bath at
or approximately the same time in order to get ready for
school or work. However, if your household has a very
predictable hot water use pattern, then you may be able to
use a system with a lower recover rate. Generally, water
heaters that have lower capacities and lower recovery rates
are less expensive.
If you are replacing your old water heater with one that has
a larger capacity, then you must ensure that you have
sufficient space to install your new system. Different water
heaters have different dimensions. Therefore it is always
best to measure the area of space you will be installing
your new system. Every water heater is labeled with an
energy efficiency rating, before you purchase a system make
sure that you are getting one that has the most efficient
rating that fits your budget. By doing so, it will help you
save on your energy costs.
By knowing the capacity of the system you need, the size,
fuel source, and energy efficiency, purchasing your new
water heater will be a simple process, leaving you to only
having to compare prices and determine, which model would
best suit you and your family for many years.
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