Years ago it was simple: Replace your hot water heater with one of the same. Today, however, there are many options to consider as most people are looking for energy efficiency or green hot water heaters for their home or business.

Here are things to consider when shopping for your new hot water heaters:

• Number of people living in your home (what is the demand?)
• How well did your existing unit hold up, did it do the job?
• Type of water heater, availability of parts and cost to repair
• Estimated energy efficiency of various models
• Length of warranty
• Maintenance and repair information
• Cost of unit as it relates to annual operating cost

Gas Water Heaters

Did You Know?

Choosing an ENERGY STAR water heater can save you money over the lifespan of the water heater. Larger families save more due to the fact they use more water. You also want to check with your local Gas Company for any rebates they may offer. The gas company offers rebate programs a few times per year so be sure to take advantage of that. You can also enhance you heater with a Hot Water Re circulation Pump.

(MORE ABOUT GAS WATER HEATERS).

Electric Water Heaters

The Electric hot water heater is not as common as gas fired water heaters. We find most electric water heaters in apartments where all the appliances are electric. The reason for this is the landlord does not have to pay for the hot water. The tenant pays their own electric bill therefore, they pay to heat the water. We recommend replacing the electric water heater with a gas or tank-less when the time comes for a new water heater.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless Hot Water Heaters have been in use in Europe and Asia for over 20 years. They are just starting to gain wider acceptance and use in the United States. Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than traditional tanks because they heat water as it is used, rather than heating and re-heating water in a storage tank. They are also common in Europe and Japan in large part because they take significantly less physical space.

Solar Water Heaters

Solar Water Heaters require routine maintenance to keep them operating efficiently. From time to time, the solar components may need repair or replacement. You also need to protect the unit from scaling, corrosion, and freezing depending your location. If you’re a handy person, you may do some of the maintenance yourself; some of the maintenance will require a skilled plumber. For some solar systems, it may be more cost effective to replace, shut off, or remove the solar system than to have it repaired. See if a solar water heater is right for you.