6 Steps to Help Choose Your Next Water Heater
March 22, 2023
Water Heaters are not an appliance purchased often by homeowners. Because you use hot water every day, it’s an important home purchase. Run through the following steps, so you’re prepared when you need to purchase your next water heater.
1. Get to Know Your Current Water Heater
It’s important to know the age of your water heater, what fuel type it is and the health of its elements. Determine how much time is left on your warranty. Consider the current performance of your water heater. If run out of hot water frequently, it may be time for a new water heater. Large households or homes with a soaker tub may find that a different water heater may better meet the hot water needs. Identifying which water heater meets your needs will improve your comfort.
2. Be Proactive, Not Reactive
When should you purchase a new water heater? It’s always better to stay ahead of the water heater’s health and replace it before something goes wrong. Have a plumber inspect your units health during your next service. No one wants to deal with a leak or running out of hot water. Having time to research water heaters is the way to go.
3. Consider Fuel Type
Knowing your fuel type, gas or electric, helps you determine what type of water heater to purchase. Gas, as a fuel, costs less than electricity, but electric units are more efficient. Electric models produce no emissions so they’re kinder to the environment. There are high efficiency ENERGY STAR® certified models that save you money on energy costs and may qualify for federal tax credits or local incentives from your utility company.
NOTE: Fuel switching is not recommended. If you’d like to switch to a different fuel type water heater, consult your plumber. Consider that gas water heaters require venting and gas lines while electric units require 240V hardwire electric service. Fuel switching may require additional plumber or electrician work at time of installation.
4. Select Tank or Tankless
Tankless Gas Water Heater – The advantages are energy savings, space savings and continuous hot water. It will cost more up front to install, but it can last twice as long with lower annual operating costs compared to a standard gas tank. Rheem has two high efficiency tankless gas options: The Rheem® IKONIC™ SR-Series Condensing Tankless Water Heater with Recirculation and the Rheem Professional Prestige Series Tankless Condensing water heater.
Tankless Electric Water Heater – You can enjoy energy savings, space savings and continuous hot water for an electric home. It may require an electric panel upgrade, which may be expensive.
Plug-in Heat Pump Water Heater – Perfect for gas tank water heater replacement, these units require no to minimal electrical work and can plug into a 120-Volt outlet. It’s 5X the efficiency of a standard tank gas water heater. The Rheem ProTerra Plug-in Heat Pump Water Heater saves energy costs and is better for the environment.
Hybrid Electric Heat Pump – Perfect for standard electric water heater replacement because of existing 240-Volt hardwired electrical service. The Rheem ProTerra Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater is 4X the efficiency of a standard electric tank water heater, saves energy costs and is better for the environment.
5. Learn About Smart Features
Many of the Rheem water heaters also have built-in EcoNet® Wi-Fi technology and game changing smart features including:
- Hot Water Availability Indicator – know how much hot water you have left so you don’t end up with a cold shower
- Away Mode – save energy while you’re away
- Energy Usage Tracking – manage energy usage with ease
- Leak Detection – in the event of a leak, you’ll be notified at the unit and on your smart phone
- Leak Prevention – the unit will shut off if a leak occurs
6. Find Your Plumber
Find a recommended plumber in your area through Find a Pro to perform annual maintenance, check the health of your water heater or install your new water heater.
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