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Posted on April 1, 2006 by Alphonso Sirtle.. | Posted under Home and Family
8 Facts You Should Know Before Purchasing a Hot Water Tank
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1. Size is everything. Hot water heaters are measured by capacity in gallons. You can get sizes from 3.2 gallons and 2,530 gallons. Of course, you probably wont need anything as large as 2,000 gallons from your purposes, but they do come that big. The hot water tanks are usually used for the purpose of storing hot water. Then, when you need hot water for dishes or a bath, you have access to that hot water. 2. What size hot water tanks are right for you? That will all depend on how much hot water you need on a daily basis. Choosing the right hot water tank today will possibly save you hundreds of dollars in the long run. Getting the cheapest possible model of hot water tanks is probably going to cost you in the long run. People that have a household of 3-4 will usually be good with a 50-gallon tank. Sometimes, they prefer a 100-gallon tank, but that is rather large for the need. You have to decide how much hot water you use. 3. What is the right temperature setting for those hot water tanks? Well, that all depends. Most companies have a default setting of 130 degrees F. Sometimes this number can be as high as 140 degrees F. If you have a dishwasher that does not have a heating element, you need a minimum of 140 degrees F to sanitize and sterilize the dishes. If you can get away with it, try to keep the setting at 130 degrees F or even lower. The cooler the water setting, the less energy needed to keep the water in the tank hot. In addition, people with children at home should consider a lower temperature to protect the children from possible injury due to scalding. 4. Is gas really cheaper than electric? Well, I have found that for the most part, gas is always cheaper than electric. This example uses current prices in my area, so you will need to investigate your own area. The price per therm is 50 cents, the price per gallon of propane is 95 cents per gallon, and one kilowatt-hour costs 8 cents. For one year of using the water heater gas would cost you $136 USD, propane would cost $283 per year, and finally electric would cost $390 per year. As you can see, gas is by far the lesser cost making gas energy the most cost effective for your water heater. 5. How much am I going to save with that particular size of hot water tanks? Well, all hot water tanks are required by law to have a bright yellow ENERGYGUIDE sticker on the tank. You will see a large number in the middle of that. Usually the number is circled. Mine says $167. This is the estimate of how much money I would spend each year to run my hot water tank as described, and under normal circumstances. 6. How will you know how much energy you will save? Once again, we must examine the ENERGYGUIDE. You will see a part of that where it read Energy Factor. The higher that decimal, the more efficient that particular hot water tank. For instance, mine say 6.9. This is good for a gas water heater tank. The number will range from .5 to .7 or so for gas; electric will range from about .75 to around .95. The higher the number, the more efficient that particular model of hot water tank is. 7. This looks like electric models are more efficient... You would be absolutely right. Electric hot water tanks do use the energy better, but electricity costs more to use. Natural gas is also better for the environment. Choosing the highest energy factor today may cost you more, but you will notice the difference over the long run. 8. The life expectancy of all hot water tanks is around 13 years. That means you will be living with your decision for a very long time. You should also consider cleaning the tank out periodically to fight bacterium and algae growth inside the tank. Of course, this is not always easy, but there are bound to be a couple tips on these page to make that a bit easier. As you can see, hot water tanks vary in size, make, and model a great deal. Finding the right hot water tank for you and your family is not always easy, but the rewards are well wroth the trouble. Usually, you can get a good water heater that costs under $1K USD. You are making an investment into the future of your family and your home. Carefully consider all of your options when purchasing any hot water tank, and your hot water tank will last you many years of loyal, uninterrupted use. However, should you notice leaks, cracks, or rust buildup, it may be time to call in a professional. About The Author: Alphonso has been working in the home remodeling industry for last 5 years. Take advantage of his experience and written material on heater ideas at his website at http://www.improve-home.com |
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