Many of us don’t think about our hot water heater until there’s a problem. If you’ve noticed strange sounds coming from your water heater, low water pressure, or a lack of hot water, it may be time to buy a new water heater. Or, if you’re not noticing any problems right now, we still recommend learning more about water heaters so when a disaster strikes—you’re ready.
Luckily, the team at All Star Plumbing has put together a water heater buying guide for New York residents. Whether you’re a growing family living in the suburbs or newly moved into a humble abode closer to the city, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about replacing your water heater.
The Capacity of Your Water Heater
First and foremost, you’ll want to buy a water heater that offers hot water for all your daily needs, like showers, laundry, and washing dishes. We recommend basing your water heater size on how many bathrooms you have in your house, and the amount of people within your household. This is a good indication of how much water you’ll use on a daily basis.
Water heater capacity is measured in gallons and we base tank size on the following:
- One bathroom: 30-40 gallon tank size
- 1.5 bathrooms: 40+ gallon tank size
- 2 to 3.5 bathrooms: 50-gallon tank
- 4 to 4.5 bathrooms: 50 to 60-gallon tank
- 4.5+ bathrooms: 75+ gallon tank
We recommend using these numbers as a starting point, not a foolproof method. The tank size per occupant can vary depending on the type of water heater you choose, so we always recommend running your estimation past the experts. This way you won’t end up with a lack of hot water or a costly water bill.
Your Water Heater Options
Now, let’s take a deep dive into the types of water heaters you can have installed within your home. When in doubt, call your trusted local plumber for an accurate, cost-effective estimate.
Storage Tank
As the name suggests, a traditional storage water heater provides a tank that stores heated water for everyday use. The water is heated and stored until needed and flows through a central pipe on top of the heater.
Storage tank water heaters can use gas or electric means to heat water. Gas water heaters are typically less expensive monthly but cost more upfront. While electric water heaters are cheaper to install, they won’t operate during a power outage like a gas tank would and may lead to higher utility bills.
We recommend discussing the pros and cons of gas and electric storage tank water heaters with your plumber to decide the best fit for your home.
Tankless
As you may have guessed, tankless water heaters don’t have a tank to store hot water but rather heats water as needed. Using heating coils, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than storage heaters but limit how much hot water you can get per minute.
If you don’t rely on running more than one machine that requires hot water, such as the shower and the dishwasher at the same time, a tankless water heater is an efficient and cost-effective choice.
Heat Pump (Hybrid)
Heat pumps transfer heat from the air to the water in an enclosed tank. This hybrid between a storage and tankless water heater can be up to 5 times more efficient than gas or electric models. However, heat pumps aren’t necessarily well suited for colder environments since they rely on the outside air. Because of this, we don’t recommend many heat pump water heaters to our clients in New York.
The Features of Water Heaters
The features of your new water heater will help you determine exactly which model is right for you— ensuring you get the best bang for your buck.
Some features to consider include:
- Warranty
- Digital displays
- Customizable operations
- Anti-scale devices
- Energy-efficiency
Depending on your preferences, you may want to spend more on a water heater with digital displays to change the settings for better efficiency. Or, if you want to get the most extended life out of your water heater, opt for one with an anti-scale device to reduce mineral scale buildup.
Lastly, you’ll want to consider costs. As we mentioned before, sometimes the cost of installing energy-efficient heaters can be more expensive upfront but they offer significant savings in the long term. You’ll want to keep your short-term budget in mind and what features are most important to you.
Find Your Perfect Water Heater with Help from the Experts
At All Star Plumbing, we understand that replacing your water heater can be a significant investment. Our team can answer any questions about water heaters and offer a unique recommendation best suited for your home.
Whether you want a tankless water heater to boost energy efficiency or a gas water heater to have plenty of water for all your daily needs, the team at All Star Plumbing can help!
Need a Water Heater Estimate? Call Us Today!
Proudly serving Glenville, NY, and the surrounding areas, the team at All Star Plumbing can help you find a water heater right for your home. We offer numerous options from top-rated brands like storage water heaters and tankless water heaters.
