Water Heater Replacement: Tips To Help You Decide

Written on: March 15, 2021

Take These Factors Into Account

A water heater is a major investment in the comfort of your home.

That is why the best time to replace your water heater is before it fails, so you do not have to choose its replacement quickly and under stress.

Whatever your situation is regarding the replacement of your water heater, the equipment experts at AFC can help you through the process so you get the right water heater for your home. Your new water heater will be installed by our licensed, trained, and experienced service technicians and plumbers. We also provide maintenance and repair services for your water heater.

Here are three things you need to think about as you make your decision.

Your Current Water Heater

You can learn most of what you need to know about your water heater from the nameplate on its side, where you will usually find the unit’s tank capacity, insulation R-value, model, and serial number. If you have an electric water heater, the nameplate will also list the wattage capacity and voltage of the heating elements.

Your New Water Heater

As you are choosing between your water heater, this is some key information for you:

• Gallon capacity (40-gallon and 50-gallon heaters are common)
• Recovery rate (the number of gallons the unit will heat in one hour)
• Dimensions (physical space may limit your ability to increase your water heater’s capacity)
• Energy efficiency (a sticker on the side should list the estimated annual cost of operation for the unit)

Consider A Tankless Water Heater

Buying a new water heater is an opportunity to upgrade to a tankless water heater. These offer several advantages over a conventional storage water heater with a tank.

• All the hot water you need, on-demand
• The ability to use hot water in multiple places in your home at once, like being able to run the dishwasher and a hot-water laundry cycle simultaneously
• Saving on energy costs thanks to water being heated only when you need it
• Space savings as there is no tank

While tankless water heaters may cost more up-front, you will get a return on your investment with the energy savings.

AFC can help you choose the right water heater for your home. Contact us to get started.