Buying a new water heater in Vermont? Here is what you need to know

You may not often think about your hot water tank, but it is a sizable portion of your family’s energy budget. In fact, most hot water tanks are responsible for 20 percent of an average household’s energy consumption. 

Purchasing a modern, efficient hot water tank can lower your bills and provide a sizable return on investment in just a few years.

At the same time, a hot water tank is an investment that will last years. You want to make the most of this investment and ensure your purchase is the right one for your budget, household and efficiency needs.

It pays to research your options before you buy.

Here are a few things you should understand about water tanks in order to optimize your purchase for both energy savings, household comfort and installation costs.

If you have any questions, feel free to give Plumbers 911 Vermont a call to connect with a contractor who can explain pricing options, energy savings and how big of a tank you will need for the size of your home.

 

What type of fuel source does your household require?

Most residential hot water tanks are either gas or electric powered, though solar or geothermal are more environmentally friendly. If your existing hot water heater is gas powered, you will need to find out if it is natural gas or propane. Gas water heaters cost more to install upfront but are significantly cheaper to run overtime, especially with today’s energy costs. Electric models have smaller up front costs but can be expensive to run every month. Geothermal or solar options have higher installation costs, but have cheaper energy costs overall that should offset the cost of investment overtime. Your options may be limited with geothermal- or solar-heated tanks.

 

How to save with an energy efficient water heater

Hot water heaters make up a huge portion of a household’s energy budget. Fortunately, the energy ratings of newer models are clearly spelled out in the form of Energy Factor ratings that measure how efficiently a unit converts energy into heat and how much heat is lost during storage. The higher the energy factor, the more efficient the water heater.

 

Should you consider a tankless hot water heater?

Whether or not a tankless hot water heater is right for you depends on your budget, size of household and family lifestyle. 

A traditional tank hot water heater stores hot water in a large tank, continuously heating it for later use. Hot water is always available, but energy is wasted when the hot water is not being used.

Tankless hot water heaters are more compact than traditional water heaters because they do not hold much water. Cold water travels through a pipe and is heated as needed. Since water is only heated when necessary, tankless water heaters are 20 percent more efficient than traditional models, however, they can be problematic in large households as you can quickly run out of hot water.

They are also more costly to install and require mandatory maintenance.

 

Need help choosing or installing a hot water tank? Call Plumbers 911 Vermont

If you need help choosing or installing a new hot water tank, call Plumbers 911 Vermont. We would be glad to offer advice on the latest options. Plumbers 911 is a referral network of licensed plumbing contractors in Vermont who can also install your hot water heater.

 

All our Vermont Licensed Plumbers are highly trained and fully vetted. They are drug tested, insured and bonded. Call Plumbers 911 Vermont for a trusted Licensed Plumber today!