Time for a New Water Heater? Consider These Tips Before Shopping

With an average 10- to 15-year life expectancy, your water heater may have seen better days. And if you’re surprised to learn that water heating costs comprise up to 18% of your home expenses, doing a little comparison shopping can help you find the best fit for your home’s needs. If it’s time to go shopping for a new water heater, make an informed decision by considering different water-heating options.

Types of water heaters

• Storage. Conventional water heaters use a reservoir that heats water continuously and stores it so it’s always on standby.
• Demand. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand for point-of-source use, which eliminates the cost of, and space needed for, storage tanks.
• Heat pump. Used typically to heat and cool homes, heat pumps can also heat water. Instead of generating heat, heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one place to another.

Fuel sources

• Electricity and natural gas. These traditional energy sources not only fuel storage and demand water heaters, but they can also work in tandem with home heating and cooling systems. Electricity can also fuel heat-pump water heaters.
• Solar. Temperate climates like Northwest Arkansas can readily harness the sun’s energy for heating water with solar systems. Your new water heater can be a big step toward reducing your carbon footprint if you choose a solar system.
• Geothermal. You can tap into an existing geothermal home heating and cooling system by using a desuperheater to heat your home’s water. A WaterFurnace geothermal heat pump provides free hot water by using excess heat from the compressor to heat water.

Energy-efficient models

The federal Energy Star program rates many home appliances so you know you’re purchasing the most energy-efficient water heater for your family’s needs. Look for the star logo and read the Energy Star label as you shop for a new water heater so that you can realize maximum savings.

In Springdale and the surrounding areas, call Paschal Heat, Air & Geothermal. We’ll help answer all your questions so you can make an informed decision about a new water heater.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Springdale, Arkansas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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