Choosing a Water Heater | Plumbing Arlington

Choosing a water heater today involves numerous factors, with energy efficiency being a primary concern. This isn’t surprising as the water heater is the second largest consumer of energy in a home, being second only to the HVAC system. This guide provides an overview of the basic considerations of choosing a water heater. In addition, it will provide you with any special considerations that will be required with your home’s plumbing in Arlington.

Factors to Consider in Selecting a Water Heater

• Fuel: Gas or electric
• Capacity
• Water Storage: Tank or tankless
• Function: Whole house or point of use

When Choosing a Gas Water Heater

• The cost is slightly more than electric
• Typically costs less to operate
• Requires ventilation for safety.

When Choosing an Electric Water Heater

• The cost is slightly less than gas
• Easy maintenance
• Heats water quickly
• Doesn’t require venting

Capacity

The water heater is one of the most frequently used appliances in your home, and an integral component of your plumbing in Arlington. Select a hot water heater that provides adequate hot water for your needs. An undersized water heater will work harder resulting in a shorter lifespan. Capacity is determined by the number of bathrooms and bedrooms in your home, and hot water use habits. Your plumber is a great source in determining your home’s required capacity.

Water Storage

A conventional tank style water heater stores water in an insulated tank until it’s needed. A tankless water heater doesn’t store water, heating it as it’s needed.

Conventional Tank Style Water Heaters

Water is heated and maintained to a preset temperature inside the tank. The efficiency varies between brands, models and fuel source.

Tankless Water Heaters

The tankless water heater is available in electric or gas models. Only the gas models qualify for an Energy Star label.

• Heats water as it passes through a gas burner or electric element when a tap is turned on
• The up-front investment is greater than an average tank style water heater. The energy savings outweigh the additional cost in the long run.
• Can reduce energy consumption by as much as 30% when properly installed by a qualified plumber
• Gas models require ventilation
• A 120 volt electric power supply is required for gas models
• Frees up floor space
• May be unable to provide hot water during heavy use

Proper installation is essential for a tankless water heater. Ensure that you use a licensed plumber for installation. Benjamin Franklins licensed and experienced plumbers can provide the professional installation required for a tankless water heater. Our expertise encompasses all of your plumbing in Arlington needs.

Function

• Whole House: The conventional tank water heater is a whole house system, providing hot water from the tank when and where a hot water tap is turned on. A tankless water heater can also be a whole house system. With either system you may require additional hot water depending upon the size of the home, the number of fixtures and hot water use habits.
• Point of Use: This tankless water heater provides an individual unit that can be installed under a sink, on a wall, in a closet or other location. The point of use will provide hot water to a specific location and is often useful in remotely located areas where pipe runs are excessively long or the distance is too great to consider connection to the main water heater such as a remote bathroom, work shop, pool houses or other. The point of use water heater can be used to augment a whole house system.

Dimensions

Consider the dimensions of the existing or intended water heater location, new units may be larger due to increased insulation to meet current federal standards. Relocation will require a new water supply addition to your plumbing in Arlington, and electric or gas supply and ventilation to be run to meet its needs and safety factors.

Energy Efficiency

Today’s water heater offers increased energy efficiency to meet federal standards. Compare the Energy Factor (EF), the higher the rating a model has, the more energy efficient it will be. An Energy Star qualified water heater will save you money in both energy costs and performance.

Additional Benefits to Consider

• Glass-line Tank: A glass-lined tank will reduce corrosion in conventional tank style water heater.
• Self-Cleaning Water Heaters: A self-cleaning feature fights lime and sediment build-up, lengthening the water heater service life and maintaining peak efficiency longer than water heaters’ lacking this feature.

Recovery Time

Recovery time refers to the amount of time the water heater takes to heat a full tank of water. If your household uses a large amount of hot water look for a water heater with a fast recovery time.

Remodeling

When upgrading your plumbing in Arlington and/or remodeling, replacing the water heater may be a sound choice. If the water heater is 8 – 10 years old or older, you can benefit from the increased energy efficiency and reliability provided by a new water heater. In addition, as a tank nears the end of its service life, the potential for leaks and costly damage to your home and its foundation becomes more likely.

Routine Maintenance

All water heaters require annual maintenance to ensure the best performance possible and the longevity of the appliance. Water conditions and the hardness of water can affect both the performance and longevity of the water heater as well as the various components of the home’s plumbing in Arlington. It is essential in areas with hard water to provide annual maintenance. In some cases of extreme hard water, maintenance may be required more often for the water heater and other affected components of a home’s plumbing in Arlington. The addition of a water softener to the home’s plumbing in Arlington is the only means of directly treating hard water.

Benjamin Franklin’s dedicated plumbers provide water heater repair and water heater installation, as well as other plumbing services for your plumbing in Arlington needs. When you’re in need of a new hot water heater our plumbers in Arlington, Texas can assist you in accurately selecting a water heater right for your home, and provide the professional grade installation required. We serve Fort Worth, Arlington and the surrounding areas.