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Jumping into the shower and being splashed with cold water is most people’s nightmare. It has to be one of the most unpleasant feelings out there, which is why most people prefer hot showers to cold showers any day.
Your water heater is responsible for making sure that there is always hot water in your home. While these tanks tend to be rather durable and can last decades, they will need to be replaced sooner or later. If it’s time for your water heater to be replaced, you might have a hard time figuring out what you need. After all, the model that you had installed might already be outdated. There are so many newer models out there now that are more efficient.
Knowing how to choose the right type and size of water heater isn’t common sense. You may need the help of a plumber to get you started. This article will also give you some insight into this issue.
Water Heater vs. Boiler
First and foremost, we’d like to differentiate the difference between a water heater and a boiler. While these two machines do similar things, they are very different
A water heater will take cold, incoming water from the main water line and indirectly warm it with a gas burner or some type of heating rod inside the tank. Once the water is warmed to the right temperature, the heater will store the water for you until the next time you hop into the shower or run yourself a nice steaming hot bath. You might even have a tankless water heater. This machine can heat up your water instantly, so it doesn’t need to store any of it inside a tank.
A boiler is slightly different. This machine will turn water into steam, as steam is a very inexpensive and efficient way of transporting heat throughout your entire home. Most homes nowadays rely on hot water heaters for their hot water source.
The Different Types of Water Heaters
As mentioned previously, technology quickly advances. Nowadays, there are many different types of hot water heaters that you can choose from. Each one will have its own benefits and drawbacks. They’ll also be in different price ranges. When choosing the right type of water heater, you’ll need to take all those factors into consideration. Our plumbers can help you figure out what type of water heater is best suited for your needs. Let’s take a look at some of the most common types of water heaters:
- Storage tank water heaters. This is by far one of the most common types out there and one of the most installed heaters by our plumbers. These traditional models have an insulated tank that will keep the water hot for as long as possible. You can usually choose between electric and gas models. If you’re not sure which one is best for you, ask one of our professionals. In general, gas models tend to be pricier; however, the operating costs associated with these models is lower.
- Tankless water heaters. These water heaters are quickly becoming more and more popular. Our plumbers are installing more of these units. While they tend to be pricier to install, they’re a lot more energy efficient, so you’ll save money there. You’ll also get an unlimited supply of hot water, as you’re not relying on a tank to heat the water up.
- Solar water heating system. This is considered as one of the newer technologies. These systems may either use an active solar water heating system or a passive solar water heating. An active solar water heating system will involve the use of circulating pumps and controls while a passive one will not use any pumps or controls at all.
Each water heater type has its own benefits and drawbacks. Understanding what each type has to offer will help you make a more informed decision.
Calculating the Size
Once you’ve decided on the type of water heater that’s best suited for your home, you then need to consider the size that you need. The general rule of thumb is to install a 30- to 40-gallon water heater for a one or two-person household. This will ensure that everyone gets as much hot water that they need, provided that no one is taking hot showers for hours! A 40- to 50-gallon tank will be best suited for a household with three or four people, and a 50-gallon tank will usually be large enough for homes with more than 5 people.
It’s important to note that tanks that have a capacity more than 50-gallons are rarely installed in residential homes. In most cases, anything larger than 50-gallon will be overkill. Your home may also not have the space to store such a large tank.
Our Plumbers in Knoxville, TN Can Help You Choose the Right Water Heater for Your Home
Is it time for you to upgrade your home and replace your water heater? The whole experience can be very overwhelming to some homeowners who have no idea where they should start. This isn’t a job that you should attempt to do by yourself, as you’ll need experience and technical know-how on how to install and remove a water heater. This is a job that’s best left to the professionals, like our plumbers. Our plumbers will get the job done in no time and can even help you choose a water heater that will satisfy all of your needs.
My Professional Plumber offers plumbing services for those who reside in the Knoxville, TN area. Our plumbers have decades of experience under their belts, so they’re well aware of the latest water heater technologies that are out there. We can come to your home to assess the situation and give you some recommendations based on what we see.
For more information, give us a call at 865-248-2549. Or, contact us online through this online form! We’ll get back to you as soon as we can.