Last Updated on March 5, 2024 by Nasir Hanif
Having hot water when you want it and when you need it is very convenient. Lots of people rely solely on using electric kettles or stoves to get the water they need but that can be too wasteful. If you want hot water at your whim, then you need to invest in a good water heater.
Finding a good water heater is a must. However, finding a good water heater can be a challenge with all the options available to you.
A good water heater shouldn’t just get the job done, it should also stick with you and your home for a long period of time. It’s an investment for home improvement that you need to take time to ponder on deeply. If you don’t know how to pick the right water heater, then you’ve come to the right place.
Table of Contents
Types Of Water Heaters
There are more than a few types of water heaters that you need to consider. Some types are more applicable in certain situations which is why it’s important that you familiarize yourself with what those types are.
- Conventional water heater – Most commonly used type of water heater in residential homes. It stores hot water which you can then access via your tap. Very easy to use but it comes at the expense of electricity consumption.
- Instant water heater – Only heat water once the tap is turned on. Very convenient but is often an expensive type of water heater out there as well.
- Air-water heater – generates heat using the air and is very efficient. It consumes less electricity but it’s also expensive too.
- Solar-water heater – another energy efficient type of water heater. However, the installation of solar water heaters and the unit itself can be very expensive.
It’s most likely that you’re going to get the conventional water heater. If you have the budget to buy air or solar water heaters, we suggest going for those instead as the expenses you incur on installation and purchase can be recovered through lesser utility bills over time.
Each water heater has its own upsides and downsides, however. Take your time in studying each one and how it benefits you.
What To Consider
Now that you know what the types of water heaters are, it’s vital to know what considerations you need to make when buying a water heater.
Tank vs. Tankless
Water heaters often come in 2 variants – gas and electric. Gas water heaters come with tanks in which you store the LPG in. Electric heaters use electricity so no tanks are needed but you need to make sure that the heater is wired properly.
Tankless water heaters are convenient and energy-efficient as they provide an endless supply of hot water. On the other hand, tank water heaters are easier to install. If you have a good LPG provider, then you don’t have to worry about running out of gas ever again.
What you choose completely depends on preference but if you want something that’s more convenient and more low maintenance, then tankless water heaters are the way to go.
Size
A water heater’s size will determine how much water it can store or how fast it can heat up cold water. The size of the unit you get should depend on a few factors such as the size of your household, as well as how much hot water you plan on using as well.
The good news is that determining the size of the water heater is easy to figure out. Most commonly, the appropriate sizes are as follows:
- For 1 to 2 people: 30-40 gallons.
- For 2 to 3 people: 40-50 gallons.
- For 3 to 4 people: 50-60 gallons.
- For 5+ people: 60-80 gallons.
Again, this is all dependent on how much you’ll be using the water heater as well. Keep in mind that you’ll also have to consider the space you can provide for a water heater. Larger gallons mean that the unit itself is larger too.
Budget
Water heaters aren’t exactly cheap. You’re looking at spending somewhere between $640-$1500 for electric or gas heaters. If you want solar water heaters, that’s going to set you back around $4800 at most.
Make sure to keep your budget in mind when looking for a water heater. Consider the future costs of running the water heater as well.
Brand
When it comes to home appliances and electronics, the brand does matter. If you only want the best for your family, then you should only buy water heaters from trusted names in the industry. Such water heaters are more expensive, but you’ll at least be getting something that you can really rely on.
Finding the right water heater can be tough with all the options available to you right now. With this guide however, you’ll be able to find the right water heater for your home in no time.
