Water Heater Replacement

Water Heater Replacement: How to Choose Your New Water Heater

Unfortunately, water heaters don’t last forever: the life span of the unit is anywhere from 8 to 12 years. After 10 years of life, you may notice your water heater starts to leak, stops working from time to time, and loses productivity. Purchasing a new water heater may seem expensive, but you will be saving money in the long run. A brand new unit will be energy efficient and will likely cause your energy bills to go down. It may sometimes be cheaper to buy a new unit rather than pay for your old one to be repaired multiple times. If you are set on purchasing a new water heater in the Springfield, MO area, where do you start? Here are a few factors to consider when looking for a new unit.

Gas or Electric?

The main two types of water heaters are gas or electric units. If you own a stove or furnace, chances are you probably have a gas water heater. Electric units usually cost a little bit less, but are not as efficient as gas water heater. If you have a large family, you may want to invest in a gas unit. If you expect your energy bill to be low, chose an electric water heater.

Efficiency

Energy efficiency is very important when shopping for water heater units. When looking at a water heater, you should find a sticker on the side of the unit indicating the current consumption of energy. Solar water units are the most efficient types of water heaters, and can cut your energy bill to almost nothing. However, they are a large investment and must be used with another type of unit such as a gas water heater to perform effectively.

Size

Check that the unit you plan on purchasing will actually fit in the space allotted in your home. It may seem silly, but it is always a good idea to measure your current water heater before you go look for another one.

Gallon Capacity and Recovery Rate

These numbers indicate how many gallons the water heater can hold and the quantity of water it can heat. If you have a large family, chances are you will use more water than an average household will. Make sure that you chose a water heater with an appropriate capacity and recovery rate.

Replacing a water heater unit can be a challenging process for someone with no plumbing background. These guidelines should help you understand what to look for when replacing or upgrading a water heater. You should not attempt to install the unit alone, as it is a very complex system and implies dealing with gas lines. Rely on residential plumbing services in Springfield, MO to do the job and help you save money on your energy bills in the end.