When selecting a brand-new water heater for your home, choose a water heating system that won’t only provide enough hot water, but also will do so efficiently, saving you money and energy. This includes considering the different types of water heaters available and determining the right size and fuel source for your home.
It's a good idea to know the different types of water heaters available before you purchase one:
Selection Criteria
When selecting the best type and model of water heater for your home, consider the following:
Availability, cost, and fuel type. The energy source you use for the water heating will not only affect the water heater’s annual operation costs, but also its size and efficiency.
Size. To provide your household with enough hot water and to maximize efficiency, you need a properly sized water heater.
Energy efficiency. To maximize energy and save on cost, you’ll want to know how energy efficient a water heater is before you purchase it.
Costs. Before you purchase a water heater, it's also a good idea to estimate its annual operating costs and compare those costs with other less or more energy-efficient models.
Also be sure to do what you can to reduce your hot water use. You may also want to explore other strategies such as drain-water heat recovery to save money on your water heating bill.
When selecting a new water heater, it's important to consider what fuel type or energy source you will use, including its availability and cost. The fuel used by a water heating system will not only affect annual operation costs but also the water heater's size and energy efficiency.
Fuel type and its availability in your area may narrow your water heater choices. The following is a list of water heater options by fuel or energy source:
Electricity
Widely available in the United States to fuel conventional storage, tankless or demand-type, and heat pump water heaters. It also can be used with combination water and space heating systems, which include tankless coil and indirect water heaters.
Fuel Oil
Available in some areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage water heaters, and indirect combination water and space heating systems.
Geothermal Energy
Available throughout the United States to those who will have or already have a geothermal heat pump system installed in their homes for space heating and cooling. See Heat Pump Water Heaters for more information.
Natural Gas
Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as combination water and space heating systems, which include tankless coil and indirect water heaters.
Propane
Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as indirect combination water and space heating systems.
Solar Energy
Available throughout the United States -- most abundantly in the Southwest -- for solar water heaters.
If you’re fortunate enough to have more than one fuel type available in your area, it’s a good idea to compare fuel costs, especially if you’re building a new home. Even if you’re replacing a water heater, in the long run you may save more money by using a different fuel or energy source.
The type of water heater you choose will also affect your water heating costs. One type of water heater may use a fuel type more efficiently than another type of water heater. For example, an electric heat pump water heater typically is more energy efficient than an electric conventional storage water heater. Also, an electric heat pump water heater might have lower energy costs because of its higher efficiency than a gas-fired conventional storage water heater, even though local natural gas costs might be lower than the electricity rates.
Whichever you choose, you can be sure that we at Linn's Plumbing are here to help you save on cost with premium service. Our service area includes Chandler, Stroud, Prague, Meeker, Shawnee, Cushing and surrounding areas., don’t hesitate to call 405-258-5171 or visit our contact page.