The standard tank electric water heaters are the most widely used at present, although the devices operated on natural gas are following closely behind. The former models are reasonably priced and are affordable to the average homeowner. Still, given the abundance of brands on the market you might want to use some basic guidelines to determine your choice of heater. The following tips will help you make the right decision.
Firstly, you have to decide on the capacity of the model. The standard one bathroom home requires a 40 gallon water heater. There is no point in spending more money if you are not going to exploit a larger capacity to the fullest. Households with more than one bathroom might consider an appliance with a larger capacity depending on their needs.
Apart from the tank capacity, you have to consider how effectively the heater will warm the water. There is a measure for this as well – the first hour rate or FHR. When you shop, you can expect to find these numbers next to the model you are looking at, but it might not be available with all brands. Generally, the higher the first hour rate, the more quickly the appliance heats the water. A model with FHR of 90 or above will not provide for you having cold showers.
The warranty is really important aspect to consider. Although the electric water heaters are designed to be sturdy and their lifetime to reach up to 12 years, these devices tend to be prone to wearing out more quickly. You should look for a model that has a warranty for at least 6 years. But if you can find a suitable one with a 9 year guarantee, you should definitely spend a few more dollars and get it. Just remember not to opt for an appliance coming with a limited warranty.
The efficiency of the electric water heaters is really important. This information is also available on the label of the appliance. If you go for an efficient model you can expect to save up to 10% from your utility expenses, which is more than beneficial.
Tags: electric water heaters