Whether you’re building a new home, remodeling an existing one or simply need to replace a water heater, it’s important to understand your water heater options, as well as the factors that will influence which model best suits your home’s water heating needs.

Water Heater Qualities

• Tank size: If you have a family of five, you’ll need a larger tank than a person who lives alone. Also keep in mind additional details, such as if everyone showers in the  morning within quick succession. That situation requires more readily available hot water than a household that has a couple morning bathers and a couple evening ones.
• Fuel type and cost: While there are advantages to the different fuel types, some are definitely more expensive than others. If you’re replacing a current unit, pay special attention to the type of fuel used presently. Of all the fuel types, electric water heaters are the most common, but not necessarily the best for every house.
• Energy efficiency: Choosing an Energy Star-qualified water heater ensures that you get a more energy-efficient model than those on the market that don’t have the government’s efficiency designation.

Water Heater Options: Unit Types

• Tank (storage) water heater: This is the mainstay of a large family, with the options ranging from a 20-gallon to an 80-gallon tank. Though the least energy efficient, a properly sized tank can store water to provide an entire family with a hot shower in the morning.

• Tankless (on-demand) water heater: In a tankless water heater, rather than sitting warmed in a tank, water passes through metal coils powered by gas or electricity. This type of water heater is great for keeping bills down, but it can’t supply more than a few fixtures.

• Solar: One of the newest water heater options, a solar water heater uses the sun’s energy to power a heater and can reduce water heater cost by 90 percent. This unit requires a backup system for nights and cloudy days.

• Heat pump: Highly efficient, a heat pump uses a process similar to refrigeration to take warm air from the environment and put it into a tank. This works great in warm climates.

For more information about your water heater options, contact the professionals at the Rheem Pro Partner. We’re proud to serve homeowners in and around the Denver metro area, Colorado Springs and northern Colorado, as well as Casper and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

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