Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Needs
Many people don’t think about choosing a water heater until they are faced with an emergency breakdown. Fortunately, researching water heaters now can make finding the right heater easier whenever you need one later on. At Reichelt Plumbing, we are able to work with you to help you find the best water heater to suit your individual needs.
Size Matters
When shopping for a replacement water heater or selecting a new water heater for your new home, one of the most important questions you can ask is about the size. What size water heater do you need to keep your water temperature hot and your utility costs low?
A water heater’s ability to meet household demand is determined by a combination of tank capacity and energy input. The amount of hot water a water heater can deliver in the first hour of use is called the first hour rating and is a critical figure during peak demand periods. The best way to increase first-hour rating is to increase tank capacity.
How You Use Your Water Matters
Choosing the right water heater for your home really boils down to a lifestyle issue. When choosing between traditional heaters or tankless water heaters, you need to consider the needs of your family. The average family today uses more hot water than 10 years ago, which is why newer water heater models carry new technology and larger capacity tanks. Nearly every home now has a washing machine, a dishwasher, and a minimum of two bathrooms. Furthermore, an increasing number of homes are being equipped with large whirlpool tubs that use up to 80 gallons of hot water at one time.
More often than not, people now use their bathrooms more as retreats than as functional bathrooms. They’re bathing in bigger tubs and taking longer showers with multiple showerheads that use a significant amount of a home’s hot water supply, which means that a more efficient water heater is required in order to keep up. At Reichelt Plumbing, we are increasingly recommending and installing 50 to 75-gallon capacity water heaters as opposed to smaller models.
Safety Matters Too
Safety is also a key consideration. Manufacturers now pre-set water heater thermostats to the lowest point on the thermostat prior to shipping. We strongly recommends the thermostat then be set to a maximum of 120°F. Anything higher than this and you run the risk of scalding yourself or others and facing real injury considerations.
What We Recommend
In order to meet ever-changing lifestyle demands, we at Reichelt Plumbing offer a comprehensive selection of water heaters as well as professional water heater installation. To schedule an appointment or to ask water heater-related questions with one of our Tinley Park plumbers, call us at .