If you’re looking to install a new tank water heater in your home, you should make sure you carefully consider the brand and model you opt for. While price is obviously one of the factors to take into account, it definitely isn’t the most important one unless you’re on a limited budget. That’s because it’s almost always going to be worth it to pay more for a high-quality unit compared to just going with whichever option is the cheapest due to all of the following reasons.
High Efficiency and Less Wasted Energy
If you’re looking to install an electric tank water heater, one thing you’ll quickly realize is that there is very little variance in terms of energy efficiency. That’s because the electric heating elements in this type of unit just directly convert electricity into heat at almost a one-to-one ratio. In terms of a gas water heater, there can be a much bigger difference in energy efficiency from one unit to the next.
The most common metric used to measure the energy efficiency of a gas water heater is thermal efficiency, which merely expresses what percent of the energy a unit uses that it effectively harnesses and turns into heat that flows out into the water within the tank. The US Department of Energy currently requires that all gas storage tank water heaters have a thermal efficiency of at least 80%. If a water heater is rated at 80% efficiency, it means that 20% of the gas it burns is wasted. The reason that this waste occurs is that the combustion fumes produced by the unit’s burner still retain a large amount of heat when they exit the top of the water heater and flow outside through its exhaust flue.
Ultra-efficiency condensing water heaters waste far less energy, meaning this type of unit can save you quite a bit of money over time since it costs far less to operate. Some condensing water heaters are only around 90% efficient, but the best units are up to 98% efficient and effectively use almost all of the energy they consume. The reason that condensing water heaters are able to be so efficient is the way that their heat exchanger is designed. The heat exchanger in a gas water heater is essentially just a pipe that connects to the burner chamber at the bottom of the unit and the exhaust flue at the top of the tank. As the combustion fumes produced by the burner travel through the heat exchanger, they cause the pipe to heat up so that the heat then flows out into the water.
In a conventional water heater, the heat exchanger is typically just a straight pipe. That means the combustion fumes flow through it quite quickly. As a result, most of the heat just flows out from the burner itself through the bottom of the tank and into the water with only a small amount of heat flowing out through the heat exchanger. In a condensing water heater, the heat exchanger is typically a much longer coiled pipe. This allows the combustion fumes to remain with the tank for longer before being vented outside, resulting in the heat exchanger capturing and transferring far more heat to greatly reduce energy waste.
The other thing to understand in terms of efficiency is that all storage tank water heaters waste additional energy due to something known as standby heat loss. This issue refers to the fact that the water within the tank always cools down over time as a result of heat escaping through the tank. At some point, this leads to the water cooling down to a certain temperature and triggering the water heater to turn on and start reheating. Even if you were gone for 24 hours, some water heaters will end up running for two or even three hours during that time simply as a result of standby heat loss. This is less of an issue with a higher-quality water heater since it will usually have a much better-insulated tank that works better at trapping in heat and reducing the amount of heat loss.
Longer Lifespan
One fairly easy way to tell the quality of any water heater is to look at what type of manufacturer’s warranty it comes with. Many lower-quality units will only have a six- or eight-year warranty, whereas better units will usually be covered under warranty for at least 10 to 12 years. The reason for this is obviously that higher-quality water heaters tend to be made better and last quite a bit longer.
No matter what water heater you choose, the only way you’re ever going to get as many years of life out of it as possible is if it’s properly maintained and inspected every year. Nonetheless, if you choose a high-quality unit with a longer warranty, you can usually be fairly sure that it will last a few years more compared to a cheaper, inferior-quality unit. That means you’ll often end up saving money in the end with a higher-quality unit since you won’t need to replace it as soon.
Another advantage of choosing a unit with a longer warranty is obviously that you’ll be covered for more years should anything go wrong due to a manufacturing defect. While the warranty will only provide the replacement part at no cost and you’ll still have to pay for a plumber’s labor to repair the issue, it can still end up saving you quite a bit of money should the unit have any defective components. Having a longer warranty is especially beneficial should the tank itself have a defect that causes it to start leaking. In this case, the manufacturer may provide a free replacement at no cost since a leaky tank can’t be repaired. Some warranties are prorated, meaning the manufacturer may not cover the entire cost. Nonetheless, the warranty will still likely save you at least a few hundred dollars should this situation ever arise.
Fewer Repair Needs
One final benefit of choosing a higher-quality water heater is that it’s likely to need fewer repairs over its life or potentially not need any repairs at all. The warranty on any water heater generally only covers issues that arise as a result of a defect and not simply due to normal usage and general wear and tear/age. That means if you have a component that just ends up wearing out, you’ll usually have to pay for everything yourself. The benefit of having a higher-quality, higher-efficiency water heater is that it won’t need to run as much, which means all of its components will experience less wear and tear and most likely last longer.
Bernard Heating & Cooling has been serving Hudson, OH, and the surrounding areas since 1991, and we’re the company to trust for all of your home’s hot water needs. We specialize in water heater installation and offer a selection of top-quality tank and tankless units sure to suit your home and your budget. You can also trust our team of expert HVAC technicians if you need any heating or air conditioning repairs, maintenance or a new installation. To set up a consultation and get help with choosing the right water heater for your home, contact us today. Our maintenance plan provides you with invaluable services, so be sure to ask us about it!
