If you stepped into your shower and were greeted by an icy assault, it may be time for a new water heater. Water heaters that take forever to warm up water or are more than 12 years old are other factors to consider when replacing your current water heater.
If you’re in the market for a new water heater for your Chicago North Shore or Chicago Northwest suburban home, including Highland Park, Buffalo Grove, Lincolnshire, and more, contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric. We have a wide selection of traditional storage-tank water heaters and tankless units to choose from.
Which Type of Water Heater Should I Buy?
Here’s a buying guide that can be referred to when purchasing a new water heater:
Storage Tank Water Heaters
Storage tank water heaters are still the most common type. Natural gas and liquid propane heaters and other gas water heaters are preferred, as they normally use less energy and are less expensive than electric water heaters of the same size. There are also solar water heaters that utilize energy from the sun. While they are much more energy efficient and there are tax incentives available, you most likely would need a backup system for cloudy days.
When buying a storage-tank water heater, there are three key considerations.
- Size. Storage tank water heaters are designated by the number of gallons they hold. What you need will depend on family size and the amount of water you use. A normal rule of thumb for gas or propane heaters is 30 gallons for one or two people and up to 80 gallons for a family of five or more.
- Recovery rate. This measures the number of gallons of water that can be heated in an hour. The greater your demand for water, the higher the recovery rate you will need.
- Energy efficiency and yearly operating costs. You can find this information on the EnergyGuide label.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters do not store hot water. Rather, they heat water as it passes through a series of coils. These units, which are available in electric, natural gas or liquid propane models, are more energy efficient. In fact, you can expect a 10% to 20% increase in overall energy efficiency over a storage-tank water heater. Tankless water heaters also take up less space.
However, tankless water heaters can only heat a limited amount of water. If you exceed the flow rate, the water will not be in the unit long enough to heat up. It will also typically take a tankless water heater more time to heat up, which means you will wait longer for hot water. This is especially important in cold weather climates like ours. Finally, tankless water heaters require additional de-liming maintenance that tank-type units do not.
Contact Ravinia Plumbing, Sewer, Heating & Electric for Water Heater Services
As you can see, there are many benefits of buying both types of water heaters. If you have more questions about water heaters or would like us to provide and install a new water heater, contact us today.
We’ve been in business since 1928, and we’ve made a name for ourselves as one of the most trusted and reliable plumbing, sewer, HVAC, and electrical companies in Chicagoland. Contact Ravinia Plumbing today to schedule an appointment.
