Hot Water Heating Systems

Electric hot water heaters over the course of your lifetime will cost more to own than gas units due to the higher electrical costs you’ll experience.  Despite this, some feel that spending the extra money is worth it. You can find a quality electric hot water heater between $300-$500 on average. Not all homes or apartments have a gas hookup, and therefore, electric tankless hot water heaters would take their place.

Installation and initial costs will be less expensive then a gas water heater because there are no combustion gas vents to worry about. Electric hot water heaters may be more attractive to people because they are safer in that they don’t use fuel (which can leak or explode). This may give you more incentive to install the electric hot water heater yourself because they are less complicated then most.

You must determine how many gallons your home will need in order to choose the best electric hot water heater possible. Knowing the energy factor or (EF) is very important in determining which is the most energy efficient.  The higher the number, the better. When it comes to electric hot water heaters, you want a number of at least .80 (EF). This number is on all water heaters so all you have to do is look.

Not only will the energy factor save energy, but it will save you money as well. On average, those electric water heaters with a .92 energy factor will save a family up $350 in energy costs over the course of the year. To determine the energy cost, multiply the estimated annual energy use on the EnergyGuide Label of your unit by the local electricity rate. The EnergyGuide label is typically a bright yellow color. Look for something that reads “This model uses” and the total amount, e.g., “$68″ toward the bottom of the label. This will help your compare different models and see which are the best.

A bigger water heater isn’t always a good thing either. The older models that were installed previously in your home may be oversized. You need to find the right sized electric hot water heater to ensure you are maximizing its performance. Say you have a  family of four living in your home.  A 50-gallon electric water heater should be enough to keep your entire family happy with hot water on tap. Electric hot water heaters range from 20-120 gallons, but unless you operate a business there is no need for a 100-gallon tank for two people.

When it comes to electric hot water heaters, or any other water heaters for the matter, reading costumer reviews and comparing manufacturers is very necessary. You want to know that what you are purchasing is of high quality and won’t break down in two years’ time.

You must also be aware of the type of warranties are available. Ideally, a 10-year warranty is standard for most electric hot water heaters.

If you do enough research in tracking down quality electric hot water heaters, you should be able to enjoy it for many years to come. If you are unsure as to whether an electric heating unit is best for your home, there are more options available.