Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Home

Traditional, tankless and indirect-fired water heaters for your Massachusetts home.

How much energy does the average U.S. household use to heat its water? Believe it or not, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the answer is close to 20 percent of home energy usage!

That’s a significant proportion of your energy, but hot water is also a significant part of your life. Without it, you can’t effectively wash dishes, do laundry or bathe yourself. If your home’s water heater has ever failed suddenly, you can attest that life gets a lot less convenient.

In Bristol, Worcester, Middlesex and Norfolk counties, Tom Fricker technicians handle a considerable number of water heater installations each year. We can answer some of the most pressing questions homeowners have when looking for the right hot water system.

What are the different types of water heaters?

Three of the most common water heater types we install are:

• Storage tank water heaters — These are the popular products that most people think of when they envision a water heater. They’re often the most affordable option with tanks sizes as small as 30 gallons and as large as 80 gallons. However, these units can take up a lot of space.
• On-demand water heaters — These tankless systems generate virtually unlimited hot water as needed. While they’re generally pricier upfront than traditional units, they are super-efficient, save you money on energy and last longer than storage-tank water heaters.
• Indirect-fired water heaters — These systems use the heat generated by your oil-fired boiler. This is an efficient process for producing robust hot water, and most indirect-fired units have lifetime warranties for the original purchaser.

What should you consider when choosing a new water heater?

Whatever type of hot water system you choose, it’s crucial that your new appliance can handle your home’s needs. Here are some factors to consider:

• Water usage — Consider how many hot water appliances and fixtures you have in your home. This will inform the necessary storage capacity (in the case of storage tank units) or gallons per minute (for on-demand units).
• Fuel type — Are you using the best energy source to heat your water? Switching might significantly lower your bills.
• Space — Have you lost a closet or storage space to a storage-tank water heater? You can gain about 12 square feet of floor space with a tankless model.

Is your water heater near the end of its lifespan?

The average lifespan for a storage-tank water heater is about 10 to 15 years. (On-demand water heaters can last 20 years or more.) Regularly flushing your tank and arranging regular water heater maintenance help your system last as long as possible. But it’s vital to look out for warning signs that your water heater is failing. These can include:

• Strange noises coming from your tank
• Pooling water at the base
• Difficulty flushing your tank
• Rusty or brown water from the tap
• Hard water stains on clothes and dishes

Get in touch with us now if you suspect you need a water heater replacement. If you wait until your current unit fails, you’ll be without hot water while we work to secure new equipment.

TF Complete Heating & Cooling can help you find your home’s ideal water heater. Contact us today to get started!