Hot Water 101: A Homeowner’s Hot Water Heater Installation and Buyer’s Guide 

Homeowners in the U.S. know how crucial a water heater is to normal living; no one wants to return to heating water on the stove for the various uses we have for hot water. While the benefit is very familiar, how they function might remain a mystery to many.

A little bit of knowledge about water heaters can be very helpful, especially when the time comes to replace a water heater system. For homeowners needing basic information during replacement, here are some essential tidbits when making such a purchase.

How Long Do Hot Water Heaters Last?

Many factors come into play when determining the average age of water heaters. Local water quality can lengthen or shorten the useful years of service for any water heater. The quantity of water being heated per day, every day, also impacts how long a water heater functions. With this in mind, the average water heater lasts:

• 8 to 13 years for tanked water heaters
• 20 years for tankless water heaters

If your current water heater is older than average, congratulations. However, it is in your best interest to prepare for replacement soon.

Basic Types of Hot Water Heater Installation

• The water heater systems most familiar to homeowners are tanked water heaters. In a mechanical area inside the home is a tank connected to tubes. This system heats a certain amount of water and keeps it hot. If there is a sudden and extreme amount of hot water needed (5 showers in a row), a tanked system might be able to keep up.
• Tankless water heater systems require several installations, one at every place hot water is needed (bathrooms, kitchen, laundry rooms, etc.). Water is heated upon demand and can provide an endless supply of hot water.

Tanked systems and installations are less expensive than tankless systems. Tankless systems last longer than tanked systems. Since this is basic information, details about system costs will be discussed with your local plumbing contractor.

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Power Options

• There are two main fuels for water heaters—gas and electricity. Gas-powered systems might use natural gas or propane, depending on availability.
• Variations of electric-powered systems include heat pumps and renewable energy sources, such as solar. Heat pump systems collect heat from the surrounding space instead of creating heat with gas or electricity. Both heat pump and solar systems will have a backup electric option for when the alternative source is unavailable.

How to Determine the Size of Hot Water Your Home Needs

Tanked systems come in a variety of sizes for a variety of size families.

• A 30–40-gallon tanked system is required for 1 or 2 people
• A 40-50-gallon tanked system is required for 2 to 4 people
• A 50-80-gallon tanked system is required for more than 4 people

A home can have various-sized tankless systems inside the same home, determined by hot water needs.

• A 3-4 gallon/minute system would be sufficient in the kitchen or laundry area.
• A 3-4 gallon/minute system would also be sufficient for 1 or 2 people
• A 7-11 gallon/minute system would be needed for bathrooms for more than 4 people

Efficiency Ratings

• Energy Star is a rating given by the U.S. Department of Energy, recognizing that an appliance meets DOE efficiency standards. The sticker will tell a homeowner how this particular appliance compares to other appliances on the market. It will also estimate how much a homeowner can expect to pay to operate the appliance in twelve months.
• Energy Factor is the efficiency rating for water heaters, similar to SEER ratings for air conditioning systems. The rating number is the percentage of energy that is successfully kept in the hot water (including the energy used to store hot water). A larger number is good. A rating of 0.67 is good for a tanked system. A rating of 0.82 is good for a tankless system.
• First Hour Rating for tanked systems is the number of gallons a tanked system can provide in one hour. The same information is provided in the gallon/minute rating for tankless systems. However, the tankless system can provide this amount of hot water every minute.

Need a New Water Heater? Trust Doctor Cool for Expert Hot Water Heater Installation

Now that you understand the basics of hot water heaters, let a professional help you make the right choice for your home. Contact Doctor Cool & Professor Heat for expert hot water heater installation and to discuss the best, most energy-efficient options for your family’s needs. We’ll ensure you have a reliable, long-lasting supply of hot water.

Let Doctor Cool assist with all of your hot water heater installation questions. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-516-5935 or email Doctor Cool and let our professional Residential League City Plumbing Repair Contractors assist with all of your plumbing repair and installation needs.