I need to replace a 40-gallon hot water heater in my home. What can you tell me about hot water heaters? What's new and efficient on today's market? What's out there and what should I be looking for? How do I determine if I need greater than 40-gallon capacity? Gas, electric, tankless?
2007-07-21 06:22:59 · 5 answers · asked by Worker Bee 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
ok. first off you don't need a hot water heater. hot water does not need to be heated.
moving on.
depending on how big your house is a 42 gallon gas heater is pretty efficent. if you have a large family and several bathrooms you may need to install more then 1. i know they make really big heaters but they worry me.
2007-07-21 06:31:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Gas water heaters are more efficient that electric water heaters and unless you live in an area where electric rates are extremely low gas water heaters are also less expensive to operate. Water heater technology hasn't change much in the last 20 years or so; don't expect to find a super efficient water heater out there. Most manufacturers have a wide price range for water heaters, you will get what you pay for. I personally prefer the tank-less water heater. Although they are at least twice the price of a conventional water heater they last long enough to justify the cost. Tank-less heater also are more efficient than conventional system because they only heat water when it is needed. The only drawback to tank-less systems is that they are currently available only for gas.
2007-07-21 06:45:07 · answer #2 · answered by milton b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tankless are very costly and do not save energy. They are connected at point of use and not centrally. Usually this is not a good choice for a retrofit. I would not use this in your case.
If you have gas it is easiest to replace with gas. If you have electric, it is easiest to replace with electric.
If the 40 gallon unit has provided you sufficient hot water in the past, it is the right size from a supply of hot water view. It would also fit in easier as larger units will take modification of the gas feed, water feed, water discharge and flue in most cases.
Gas is considered more efficient than electric. However who knows which will be more efficient in the future.
You can spend extremely large funds for the ultimate in efficiency but never save enough to pay for it. Usually a moderately highly efficient unit is moderately priced and the ideal model.
If you are installing it yourself, check the old unit's height from floor and how the water feed and return is set relative to gas feed (if you are buying gas). Get one that parallels this becuase install is a lot easier. BE SURE to vent the gas properly or you can kill people with the exhaust gas.
2007-07-21 06:32:36 · answer #3 · answered by GTB 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tankless gas water heaters are one of the newest things out there, but they are expensive at first... but if you punch the numbers it will pay for itself over a couple of years. The only thing I'd be weary about is that it's a new product, and there may be problems with it... but that's the same with everything. I'd probably get a tankless if I had the money.
2007-07-21 06:32:11 · answer #4 · answered by Chris H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not say hot water heater to the guys down at the home supply store its an automatic surcharge of 25%.
2007-07-21 21:33:01 · answer #5 · answered by JamesD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋