Selecting a New Water Heater

When selecting a new water heater for your Worcester home, choose a water heating system that provides enough hot water for your family and is also energy efficient to save you money. Consider the different types of water heaters available and determine the right size and fuel source for your home. Here are a few tips from our plumbing services pros:

Types of Water Heaters

It's a good idea to know the different types of water heaters available before you purchase one:

• Conventional storage water heaters offer a ready reservoir (storage tank) of hot water, which is adequate for everyday use. However, there are some instances, such as when more than one use for hot water is occurring or when there are guests in the home, that increase the requirements for hot water.
• Heat pump water heaters move heat from one place to another instead of generating heat directly for providing hot water, resulting in high efficiencies and significant cost savings.
• Solar water heaters use the sun's heat to provide hot water and also save money on energy bills.
• Indirect water heaters use a home's space heating system to heat water.

If you're looking for the best prices and services on water heaters in the Worcester area, call the pros at Best Deal Water Heaters today at 774-249-9581 for water heater installation and plumbing services!

Selection Criteria

When selecting a replacement water heater for your home, consider the following:

• Fuel type, availability, and cost. The fuel type or energy source you use for water heating will not only affect the water heater's annual operation costs but also its size and energy efficiency. See below for more on selecting fuel types.
• Size. To provide your household with adequate hot water and maximize efficiency, you need a properly sized water heater. Visit the pages on different types of water heaters (linked above) for more on sizing.
• Energy efficiency. To maximize energy and cost savings, check the energy efficiency of a water heater before you purchase it. Visit the pages on different types of water heaters (linked above) for more on estimating energy efficiency.
• Costs. Before you purchase a water heater, it's also a good idea to estimate the annual operating costs and compare those costs with other, less or more energy-efficient models. Visit the pages on different types of water heaters (linked above) for more on estimating costs.

Also, be sure to examine ways to reduce your Worcester home's hot water use, such as washing clothes in cold water. You may also want to explore other options, such as drain-water heat recovery, to save money on your water heating bill.

When it comes to reliable water heater installation and plumbing services in Worcester, the pros at Best Deal Water Heaters have you covered! Call us today to request more information about choosing the right water heater for your home.

Fuel Types, Availability and Costs for Water Heating

When selecting a new water heater, it's important to consider what fuel type or energy source you will use, including its availability and cost. The fuel used by a water heating system will not only affect annual operation costs but also the water heater's size and energy efficiency.

Exploring Water Heater Options by Fuel Type

Fuel type and its availability in your area may narrow your water heater choices. The following is a list of water heater options by fuel or energy source:

• Electricity
  Widely available in the United States for conventional storage, demand-type, and heat pump water heaters. It can also be used with combination water and space heating systems, which include coil and indirect water heaters.
• Fuel oil
  Available in some areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage water heaters and indirect combination water and space heating systems.
• Geothermal energy
  Available throughout the United States to those who will have or already have a geothermal heat pump system installed in their homes for space heating and cooling. See Heat Pump Water Heaters for more information.
• Natural gas
  Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand ( or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as combination water and space heating systems.
• Propane
  Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand water heaters, as well as indirect combination water and space heating systems.
• Solar energy
  Available throughout the United States -- most abundantly in the Southwest -- for solar water heaters.

Comparing Fuel Costs and Water Heater Types

If you have more than one fuel type available in your area, it's a good idea to compare fuel costs, especially if you're building a new home. Even if you're replacing a water heater, you may find that you'll save more money in the long run if you use a different fuel or energy source.

However, if you are converting from one fuel type to another, there are other cost considerations, such as adding a breaker or running a gas line to the water heater and venting it outside. Contact your utility for current fuel costs or rates.

The type of water heater you choose will also affect your water heating costs. One type of water heater may use a fuel type more efficiently than another type of water heater. For example, an electric heat pump water heater is typically more energy efficient than an electric conventional storage water heater.

Also, an electric heat pump water heater might have lower energy costs than a gas-fired conventional storage water heater, even though local natural gas costs might be lower than the electricity rates.