Water Heater Buying Guide

2021 Nov 12th

Water Heater Buying Guide

No one wants to take a cold shower or have high energy costs. The right hot water heater will provide your family with cost-effective and reliable hot water.

Whether you've just taken that first unexpected cold shower or simply wish to reduce your energy bill, purchasing a new hot water tank is an important task.

Follow these steps so you can leave the appliance guesswork and troubleshooting behind:

  1. Identify the fuel source.
  2. Choose a type of heater.
  3. Determine the capacity.
  4. Measure the space.

Water Heater Fuel Sources

Electric Hot Water Tanks:

  • Use one or two replaceable heating elements to heat water
  • Less expensive than other types
  • Variety of high-efficiency options available
  • Size Range: 28 to 100+ gallons

Gas or Propane Water Heaters:

  • Use a burner to heat water
  • Need circulating air around it
  • Can't store combustible materials close by
  • More expensive than electric water heaters
  • More energy-efficient than electric water heaters
  • Size Range: 30 to 100 gallons

Heat Pump or Hybrid Hot Water Heaters:

  • Use energy from the air to heat the water
  • Can use outside air or air from the room where it’s stored
  • Available as built-in water tanks or add-ons to existing tanks
  • Larger than standard electric water heaters
  • More expensive initial investment
  • More energy-efficient, resulting in lower bills
  • Size Range: 50 to 80 gallons