When you stop to think about how often you use hot water during the course of the day, the importance of your water heater becomes clear. If you’re in the market for a replacement hot water heater, taking your time to decide which type and size are best for your needs is of the utmost importance.
For those considering the options available, there are four main factors to keep in mind to make an informed decision.
1. Consumption –
One of the biggest determiners of the size of hot water heater that you need is the number of fixtures and appliances in your home that require hot water. You’ll need to take into consideration how many bathrooms you have and whether or not you have a washing machine, a dishwasher, a work sink or any other fixtures that routinely use hot water. If you only have one bathroom and little need for additional hot water supplies to appliances, the smallest models may be ideal; however, if you have multiple bathrooms and additional hot water needs, you’ll require one of the larger models.
2. Demand –
Another thing you should ask yourself when considering a hot water heater is how often you run out of hot water now. Not only does the size of your home determine this, but when people use hot water does as well. For example, if you live in a family of 6 with 3 bathrooms, and everyone showers in the morning, you’ll need more water than a family of the same size in a similar home where half the family members shower in the morning and half shower at night. When the demand for hot water in a home is very high at peek times, a continuous flow hot water heater is often ideal, as these constantly supply the entire home with hot water on demand.
3. Your Home –
You’ll also want to consider what types of hook-ups are available in your home at the present time. For example, if you do not have gas mains connected to your house, a gas hot water system is likely impractical.
4. Budget –
The final important consideration when selecting a hot water heater is how much you can afford to spend. While this may ultimately be the deciding factor as you compare models, keep in mind that opting for a cheap water heater is hardly beneficial if the model is of poor quality and requires expensive maintenance over the years. Be sure to balance your budget needs with your needs for a well-made, reliable system.
Depending on your water consumption, your demand for hot water, the design of your home and your budget, one or more hot water heater models may be ideal for you. The best way to decide which to choose is to speak with an expert. Here at Sydney Emergency Plumbing, we have years of experience installing hot water heaters and can help you choose the right system for your needs. Contact us today to learn more.
