3 Things to Consider When Purchasing a Water Heater

An integral component of any home is the water heater, and in Brooklyn and Manhattan, these systems are vital for home comfort. While robust, water heaters do have shelf lives, and when they go bad, your house can be inefficient, uncomfortable, and cause damage to your wallet.

If you’re shopping for a new water heater or suspect your current unit may be going bad, here are some top things to consider from the Brooklyn plumber and water heater pros at Petri Plumbing:

• Determine your capacity: Matching your water heater’s capacity to your needs can help you maintain the utmost household efficiency. When shopping, look at a unit’s first hour rating (FHR) as this measures the

amount of hot water delivered during a high-use hour – and match that number to your household needs. Factors such as size of appliances, number of bathrooms and the fixtures inside play a role in determining a home’s peak hour requirements, so it’s best to consult a professional plumber to get an optimal capacity water heater.

• Determine a style: Water heaters can essentially be broken down into three categories – storage tank, tankless, and indirect hot water heaters – each with their own pros and cons. While storage tank units are tried and true, and tankless units are compact, Brooklyn and Manhattan residents are encouraged to consider indirect units for their blend of efficiency and power. These systems run off a home’s heating element – typically the boiler – and feature a storage tank to reduce the need to cycle a furnace over and over.
• Determine your space needs: All water heaters built after April 16, 2015 have to adhere to different standards for energy efficiency, and because of that, they are typically larger in size. When shopping, it’s important to take this into consideration. While newer units may be appealing for their energy usage, they could unfortunately not work in your home’s current space. Working with a professional plumber can help you determine if you should look for an older unit, modify your space to accommodate a newer system, or repair and maintain your current water heater for a few more years.

Water heaters are incredibly important for home comfort, so when shopping for a new unit, finding the perfect system for your Brooklyn or Manhattan home is ideal. With a variety of factors to consider, determining which system is best requires a significant amount of attention. In order to get the best water heater, contact Petri Plumbing, the trusted plumbing professionals since 1906, at 718-748-1254.