Shopping for a water heater can be simplified by remembering two important points of consideration: capacity and energy efficiency. Many homeowners focus so much on capacity that they neglect to consider energy efficiency, while a few do it the other way around. You want to select a water heater that has both qualities.
WM Buffington Company has been an expert in plumbing services for over 60 years, and we have a few tips to help you find the water heater best suited to your needs.
Types of Water Heaters
Conventional Tank Water Heaters
Water is heated and stored in a reservoir, which can be advantageous for medium-sized families who share hot water use. It’s one drawback is you lose efficiency points with standby losses, or when heat is lost while waiting in the tank or in transit within your pipework.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Like their HVAC counterparts, heat pump systems do not produce their own heat. Instead, they draw heat from other sources, making them more energy efficient. Some homeowners claim this type of water heater doesn’t heat as well as gas-fired or electric heaters. If true, you would be trading efficiency for performance.
Tankless Water Heaters
Also known as point-of-use heaters, these water heaters will provide hot water on an on-demand basis. This eliminates the standby losses from which most other systems suffer.
Sizing Water Heaters
Determining the size of your water heater will depend on your household’s usage levels. Sizing up capacities will differ from one type of heater to another. In a nutshell, you’ll need to determine the total flow rate of all points-of-use in your plumbing system and then base the capacity on that number. Our professionals can help you size your water heater capacities properly for optimal hot water consumption.
At WM Buffington Company Inc, we’re your trusted provider of heating, cooling, plumbing and insulation installation services. Give us a call at (717) 609-4020 or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment today. We serve Harrisburg, PA, and nearby areas.
