Domestic water heaters are designed to last for up to 10 years. But there are some models that still remain functional after 15 years. The lifespan of a water heater is determined by the quality of water that you use in your home. A heater that’s used to warm hard water is likely to wear out much faster due to the impurities that are present in such water. All in all, you should consider buying a new water heater if the current one has outlived its lifespan. Buying a water heater can be a daunting task because there are so many brands in the market. Below are tips that can help you make an informed decision when shopping for a water heater.
Check Online Reviews
Online reviews such as home fix planet reviews are very useful when you are looking for more insights on home water heaters. By reading through online reviews, you get enlightened on what you should look for in a heater. The good thing is that the reviews are updated on a daily basis by people that have already bought and used various models of water heaters. If you have never bought a water heater before, it’s recommended that you stick to models that have the highest number of positive reviews because they are usually made by reputable companies. Moreover, you should opt for a heater that’s generous with features.
Storage
There are basically two types of water heaters; those that feature a storage tank and those that don’t have a tank. If you have a roomy house, it’s advisable you settle for a heater that has a storage tank. However, you will have to reserve some space for the storage tank. This kind of heater keeps heated water in an insulated tank to prevent it from getting cold again. The advantage of this kind of heater is that you will never lack hot water for taking bath or washing dishes when a power outage comes calling. The only downside is that these kinds of heaters draw a lot of power which translates to high power bill. Tankless heaters are recommended for small houses. They are very reliable in terms of energy efficiency because they only heat the water that is being used directly.
Source of Power
If you have to use power as a criteria for selecting a water heater, you have three options to choose from. First and foremost, there are those that are powered by electricity. Such heaters can’t be used in areas that are not connected to the national grid. There are other heaters that are powered by gas. These are efficient because they remain functional regardless of whether there is a power outage or not. You can also opt for a heater that is powered by solar. The downside of such heaters is that they can’t be used to heat water when the weather is extremely cold.
Capacity
When hunting for a water heater, your choice should be influenced by capacity of the appliance regardless of whether you want to buy a tankless or tank heater. Even if you don’t want a heater that comes with a tank, you should be able to select a heater that is capable of warming a lot of water in the shortest time possible. Such a heater will obviously feature a big element. If you must buy a heater that comes with a storage tank, you should select a model that has a larger tank so because it will be able to store high volume of heated water.
