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A water heater is a necessary investment because it provides hot water in your home. We may sometimes take that hot water for our showers or laundry for granted, until we suddenly don’t have hot water because of a faulty heater.  When searching for a new water heater, keep in mind that a fully-functioning water heater can save you money and stress from paying expensive water and energy bills.

Purchasing a brand new water heater is probably inevitable at some point for homeowners. Choosing the right water heater for your needs will take consideration.  Since a brand new water heater isn’t a small investment, it’s important to be extra careful when buying.

To ensure that your brand new water heater can give you the benefits you’re expecting, take note of the following tips when purchasing:

  1. Determine Your Required Gallon Capacity

Water heaters are common in a number of different sizes. Regardless of the size and location of your home, you will find several contractors who sell and install water heaters. Aside from reading reviews from places such as iProperty Management, you can narrow down your options by determining your required gallon capacity first. The size of the tank is one of the most important factors to consider when buying a brand new water heater, as this can influence the value and comfort you can get for your money.

The gallon capacity of a water heater indicates the amount of hot water that the household can use simultaneously. Individuals who live with their spouses and homeowners who belong to a large family will require water heaters with different gallon capacities. The more people using the water heater, the higher the required gallon capacity is.

For you to end up buying a water heater that comes with the right gallon capacity for your household, consider this list:

  • 23 to 36 gallons: Homes with two people or less
  • 36 to 46 gallons: Two to four people
  • 46 to 56 gallons: Three to five people
  • More than 56 gallons: Homes with more than five people

Aside from knowing the number of people who will use the water heater, it’s also important to know the number of water fixtures you have in your home, and if these fixtures are used simultaneously. Even if there are only three people living with you in your house, if all of you use the shower at the same time, you might need to buy a brand new water heater that can store more than 56 gallons of hot water.

  1. Check Its Energy Efficiency

Most water heaters produce and store hot water in your home. Other technology will produce hot water almost on demand, such as the ‘tankless’ style heater, but with a higher initial investment. However  how it works shouldn’t be your only consideration—you should also pay attention to the energy efficiency of this appliance. Buying and using a brand new heater that can cause your utility bills to skyrocket within a short period can be very stressful.

Nowadays, brand new water heaters are powered by different fuel types. Each of these types comes with its own set of pros and cons, which is why you should spend time comparing your options. Brand new water heaters come with the following fuel types:

  • Electric: Electric water heaters are one of the most common and cheapest types of water heaters today. This type of water heater comes with different energy-efficiency options, and its installation is usually very cheap.
  • Gas Or Propane: In many areas a more energy-efficient option is one that uses gas or propane. This type may also have more energy-efficiency options than electric water heaters, but its installation may also cost more.
  • Hybrid Or Heat Pumps: Hybrids or heat pumps are newer varieties of water heaters. These types are popular among homeowners because these are energy-efficient, affordable in the long run, and can work on their own, or can work well with another type of water heater.
  • Solar: With the number of environmentally-friendly businesses and homeowners today, you can expect that more and more solar water heaters will be sold in the market. This type of water heater uses a solar thermal collector in order to convert sunlight into heat to be used for water heating.
  1. Understand Your Budget

As a homeowner, you’ll have to pay for several expenses for you to take care of your home. More often than not, you’ll have to spend money on your utility bills, minor home renovation projects, and repairs in the future. In some cases the bigger your home is, the more money it’ll require from you to ensure that your home is in its best condition.

If you want your water heater purchase to be as stress-free as possible, understand and stick to your budget. Buying a water heater that is way beyond your budget might enable you and your family to enjoy more hot water in a quicker fashion, but spending outside your budget may not be the best answer.

Before heading out, come up with a realistic budget on the amount you’re willing to spend for a brand new water heater. Can you afford to buy more than one tankless water heater for your home at the same time? Can you shell out enough money to buy a high-quality and durable hybrid water heater?

To help you during this process, consider the prices of the most common water heaters below:

 Electric: $450 on average

  • Gas: $550 on average
  • Tankless: $900 on average
  • Hybrid: $1,200 on average

Aside from the cost of the appliance and its installation, make sure that you also consider the maintenance costs of your brand new water heater. Also keep in mind that these figures will vary depending on where you live.  Installation costs will also likely vary widely, so do a bit of research before you buy!

Prioritize Maintenance

Once you’ve purchased a brand new water heater, make sure that you also exert time and effort in its maintenance. Disregarding the importance of water heater maintenance can reduce the efficiency and longevity of your investment, and put all of your hard-earned money down the drain.

Your brand new water heater will last longer if you know how to check its pressure relief valve and drain sediments from the water heater tank. Aside from your own efforts, don’t hesitate to ask for help from professionals to ensure that your water heater is in tip-top condition!