As is the case with many of the plumbing fixtures, you’ll quickly realize that consumers have plenty of options to pick from nowadays. Just take faucets, for example. There are a wide variety of finishes to consider, as that is one of easiest ways to ensure it matches with the surrounding elements. There are added features that may appeal to some people more than others (such as the voice-activated features that are becoming quite popular in kitchen settings). There are a number of different brands out there that may specialize in certain styles or also make other fixtures/accessories to ensure everything matches flawlessly. To sum it up, faucets are one of many examples in the plumbing world that show just how many options are available to choose from.
While the topic of this week’s blog post may not have nearly as many possibilities as faucets, that doesn’t mean it is a one-size-fits-all plumbing component either. That item which I’m referencing is the water heater. It goes without saying that water heaters serve an important role in our day-to-day lives and as such, you want to make sure to purchase a water heater that meets your needs. After all, experiencing water heater issues is never a fun thing to deal with for a homeowner or business owner, right?
Throughout this week’s blog post, we’ll discuss a few of the different variables that may factor into your water heater decision and hopefully provide you with some clarity as to what you should be looking for!
Tank or Tankless?
One of the first decisions that you’ll need to make in the water heater purchasing process is deciding between a tank or a tankless water heater. Unsurprisingly, the answer to this question will impact several future decisions. To put it simply, tank-style water heaters still remain the more common of the two (and that probably isn’t going to change any time soon). They’ve proven time and time again to be remarkably effective and also come at a lower price tag than their tankless alternatives. This statement alone usually can make the final decision for many homeowners and commercial facility managers. Not to mention, there are also a few well-known tank water heater brands out there, so you’ll have no trouble finding something reliable!
Despite coming at a higher price, there is a reason why tankless water heaters continue to grow in popularity (even though tank style water heaters are the more common of the two). Perhaps the most notable advantage of tankless water heaters is their ability to have a much longer lifespan than tank water heaters. While tank water heaters will likely last around 12 years, tankless water heaters can remain in operation for over 20 years! Also known as on-demand water heaters, tankless heaters possess the ability to only heat water when it’s needed. In other words, you won’t need to worry about any potential heat loss that may occur when heated water sits in a tank and as long as you have it properly-sized, you won’t need to worry about running out of hot water either! In the end, there are definitely plenty of additional benefits that justify the higher price tag of tankless water heaters!
Choosing the Right Size
After you’ve decided on whether or not you want a tank or tankless water heater, the next question you’ll have to answer is going to involve selecting the right-sized unit for your home or commercial facility. You could argue that this is the most important decision, as too small of a unit could lead to you running out of hard water, while too large of a water heater could mean you’ll be spending more money on the installation than you need to. Finding that happy medium between the two will be key!
As always, it is never a bad idea to lean on the expertise of your local plumbing company. They should have plenty of experience working with water heaters and will likely have the knowledge necessary to recommend a quality water heater. So…what goes into deciding on a water heater size?
With a tank style water heater, the main component you’ll be looking for is the number of gallons for the tank. For most households of 4-5 people, you’ll find that a 40 or 50-gallon water heater will work just fine. However, for households with more people or even larger commercial facilities, you may find yourself looking for a bigger tank. Another attribute that you’ll want to take into consideration is the first hour rating. As its name suggests, the first hour rating essentially represents how many gallons of hot water can be produced in the first hour of usage (given there is a full tank of hot water).
On the other hand, the sizing process for a tankless water heater looks a little bit different in comparison to a tank water heater. With tankless water heaters, you’ll want to evaluate a couple of variables. First, there is the flow rate. Calculated in GPM (or gallons-per-minute), the flow rate basically takes into account how much water would be used at one time (including if numerous fixtures/appliances are being used simultaneously). Second, there is the temperature rise. To get this, you’ll take the temperature at which you want the water heated to and then subtract out the incoming water temperature. Knowing each of these figures will be immensely helpful in selecting an adequate tankless water heater!
Picking the Water Heater Brand and Plumber to Install It
Last, but not least, you’ll need to decide which water heater you’ll select and hire a local plumbing professional to complete the installation! While each of the two sections above may require some extra thought, choosing a water heater brand is a little more straightforward. After all, the main goal here is to purchase a water heater made by a reputable company and ensure you’re not going to be met with a constant stream of issues in the future, right? While your plumber will be an excellent resource here (and with the items above), it doesn’t hurt to have a little knowledge of the bigger names in the water heating world.
In regards to tank style water heaters, we always feel confident recommending brands like A. O. Smith, Bradford White, Rheem, State and Ruud. In terms of tankless water heaters, we recommend Navien.
And once you’ve selected a water heater brand, it will be time to find a plumbing professional to complete the installation! This is obviously an important decision as you’ll need to find a plumber that has the experience necessary to properly install the water heater and ensure everything is up to code!
Water Heater Services in Kansas City
Here at Stine-Nichols Plumbing, it goes without saying that water heaters are something we deal with each and every week. Whether that be installing new water heaters, repairing existing units and even providing routine maintenance, we understand how important of a role water heaters play in your overall plumbing system. As evidenced by this blog post, there are also a handful of variables that will impact which water heater you end up purchasing!
If you live in or near the Kansas City area and need some help on a water heater project, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (816) 348-3481 and we would be happy to help!