3 Things to Consider When Purchasing a New Hot Water Heater

All too often, a water heater fails when you least expect it. Unfortunately, this can lead to a quick replacement purchase and investment. Know the most common costly mistakes you can make when replacing your water heater so you can avoid them.

1. Size Does Matter

One way some homeowners try to save money is by purchasing a smaller unit than the size that they need, simply because the unit costs less. Unfortunately, this is a costly mistake in the long run. Although you may be able to deal with the inconvenience of waiting for the hot water to reheat between uses, the extra cycles needed to keep up with the hot water demand will take a toll on the unit and cause it to wear out more quickly. Instead of saving money, you will instead need to pay for additional repairs and an early replacement.

2. Low Cost Can Mean Low Value

Value and quality aren't always linked to the cost, but it is related often enough that you need to do your research before purchasing the cheapest hot water heater you can find. Start by comparing consumer reports on the longevity and repair history for the lower-cost unit. If the reviews are good, then use a critical eye to compare the energy efficiency and EnergyStar ratings between the low-cost units and more expensive ones. Often, a cheaper unit is built to last, but it isn't as efficient. This means that within a couple of years the savings are lost because you are paying more than you need to run the hot water heater.

3. Tradition Isn't Always Best

Most homes in the US are equipped with the traditional tank style hot water heater, which means that is the main type of heater homeowners look at when shopping for a replacement. Tank heaters may also have a lower initial cost when compared with other options, but the savings may stop there. Expand your research to include tankless water heaters and hybrid heat pumps.

Tankless heaters, for example, may cost a bit more initially but the savings in energy usage can be substantial—plus, you get hot water nearly on demand. A hybrid heat pump heater pumps in hot air to help heat the water instead of purely depending upon electricity for heat, which can also save a lot in energy usage—sometimes enough to offset the higher initial investment.

Contact a water heater installation service to learn more ways to save on the cost of your new water heater.