Selecting a New Water Heater - Knieses Plumbing

Selecting a New Water Heater

When selecting a new water heater for your home, choose a water

heating system that will not only provide enough hot water but also

that will do so energy efficiently, saving you money. This includes

considering the different types of water heaters available and

determining the right size and fuel source for your home. Check out

the Energy Saver 101: Water Heating infographic to learn more

about the different types of water heaters and how to select the

right model for your home.

Types of Water Heaters

It’s a good idea to know the different types of water heaters

available before you purchase one:

 Conventional storage water heaters offer a ready

reservoir (storage tank) of hot water

 Tankless or demand–type water heaters heat water

directly without the use of a storage tank

 Heat pump water heaters move heat from one place to

another instead of generating heat directly for providing hot

water

 Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to provide hot

water

 Tankless coil and indirect water heaters use a home’s

space heating system to heat water

Selection Criteria

When selecting the best type and model of water heater for your

home, consider the following:

 Fuel type, availability and cost. The fuel type or energy

source you use for water heating will not only affect the

water heater’s annual operation costs but also its size and

energy efficiency. See below for more on selecting fuel

types.
 Size. To provide your household with enough hot water

and to maximize efficiency, you need a properly sized water

heater. Visit the pages on different types of water heaters

(linked above) for more on sizing.

 Energy efficiency. To maximize your energy and cost

savings, you want to know how energy efficient a water

heater is before you purchase it. Visit the pages on different

types of water heaters (linked above) for more on estimating

energy efficiency.

 Costs. Before you purchase a water heater, it’s also a

good idea to estimate its annual operating costs and

compare those costs with other less or more energy-efficient

models.

Also be sure to do what you can to reduce your hot water use. You

may also want to explore other strategies such as drain–water heat

recovery to save money on your water heating bill.

Fuel Types, Availability and Costs for Water Heating

When selecting a new water heater, it’s important to consider what

fuel type or energy source you will use, including its availability and

cost. The fuel used by a water heating system will not only

affect annual operation costs but also the water heater’s size and

energy efficiency.

Exploring Water Heater Options by Fuel Type

Fuel type and its availability in your area may narrow your water

heater choices. The following is a list of water heater options by fuel

or energy source:

 Electricity

Widely available in the United States to fuel conventional

storage, tankless or demand-type, and heat pump water

heaters. It also can be used with combination water and

space heating systems, which include tankless coil and

indirect water heaters.

SOURCE: Energy.gov / https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/water-heating/selecting-new-water-heater