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Suburban Plumbing Experts’ Recommendations on Choosing the Best Water Heater for your Home

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William Koonce
Suburban Plumbing Experts’ Recommendations on Choosing the Best Water Heater for your Home

When it comes to choosing the best water heater for your home, there are several things every homeowner should keep in mind. A water heater is a significant investment that impacts your daily life and energy bills. Hence, making the proper decision is crucial. With so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. This article will provide you valuable insights and recommendations from Suburban Plumbing Experts on how to choose the best water heater for your home.


Tankless vs. Tanked Water Heaters



One of the first choices you'll need to make is deciding whether you want a tankless or tanked water heater installed in your home. Tankless water heaters are becoming increasingly popular due to their compact nature and ability to save energy costs. They heat water as it's needed and do not store hot water in a tank. In contrast, tanked water heaters have a large tank that stores hot water until it's required for use.


Suburban Plumbing Experts recommend that if you have a small family or limited space, then a tankless water heater would be the best choice. On the other hand, for a larger family or a household with high hot water usage, a tanked water heater would be a better choice. However, keep in mind that tanked water heaters may consume more energy to warm the stored water, leading to higher energy bills.


Tanked Water Heater Capacity



If you decide to go for a tanked water heater, choosing the right tank capacity is essential. The capacity of the tank depends on the household size and hot water usage. Suburban Plumbing Experts recommend a tank capacity of 40 to 50 gallons for a household of two to three people. However, for a larger household, a tank capacity of 75 to 80 gallons would be optimal.


It's essential to choose the right tank capacity to ensure there's enough hot water for your family's needs. A small tank capacity may lead to insufficient hot water while a larger one may result in wasting energy and increased energy bills.


Fuel Types



Water heaters come in different fuel types, including electricity, natural gas, propane, solar, and oil. Your choice of fuel type will affect energy efficiency and expenses. Suburban Plumbing experts recommend consulting with a local plumber to determine the best fuel type for your household. However, here's a breakdown of the different fuel types:


Electricity: This is the most common fuel type for residential water heaters. Electric water heaters are energy-efficient and have low upfront installation costs.


Natural Gas: Natural gas water heaters use less energy than electric water heaters but have higher upfront installation costs.


Propane: Propane water heaters are more expensive to operate than natural gas and electric water heaters but have lower upfront installation costs.


Solar: Solar water heaters are energy-efficient and environment-friendly. However, they have high upfront installation costs.


Oil: Oil water heaters are rarer than other types and are more expensive to operate than electric water heaters.


Energy Efficiency



Energy efficiency is critical for choosing the best water heater for your home. An energy-efficient water heater saves energy and ultimately lowers energy bills. The Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and the Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) are the two metrics used to measure energy efficiency.


Suburban Plumbing Experts recommend choosing a water heater with a high UEF rating, which measures efficiency over time. The higher the UEF rating, the more efficient the water heater. Energy Star certified water heaters are also an excellent choice as they meet strict energy efficiency standards.


Conclusion



Choosing the best water heater for your home is vital for your daily life and energy bills. There are several factors to consider when making a decision, including tankless vs. tanked water heaters, tank capacity, fuel types, and energy efficiency. Consultation with a professional plumber, such as Suburban Plumbing Experts, can help determine the best water heater for your home's needs.

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