Here’s How to Choose the Right Water Heater

Looking for a new water heater?

Weigh your options when it comes to this home and cottage essential. Water heaters supply sinks, showers, dishwashers, washing machines and more with hot water. There are different types of water heaters, each with various features to help meet your household’s hot water demand, space, budget and energy-efficiency goals. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.

Popular Types of Water Heaters Types of Fuel Buying Considerations & Features

Popular Types of Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heaters

A tankless water heater (also known as an on-demand water heater) heats water directly without the use of a storage tank. It uses heating coils to heat the water as needed.

Higher up-front cost, but longer lasting and more energy efficient
Compact and hangs on a wall to free up floor space
Provides a limitless supply of hot water on demand
Requires regular maintenance to operate efficiently and effectively over time
Long life expectancy at 20+ years with easily replaceable parts
Can be fueled by electricity, natural gas or propane

TIP: For a new build or extensive reno, a tankless heater is a worthwhile investment. Switching from an existing storage tank heater to tankless heater can be expensive as it requires retrofitting your plumbing and possibly electrical, too.

Fuel Types

When replacing a hot water heater, it’s easiest to choose one that runs on the same type of fuel. The three main sources of water heater fuel are electric, natural gas and propane. Here’s what you need to know about each. All are available in both storage tank and tankless models.

Buying Considerations & Features

Warm up to the right water heater for your household’s hot water needs. Factor in these buying considerations and features to ensure you’re never caught cold mid-shower.

First-Hour Rating (FHR)

This measurement indicates the number of gallons a storage tank water heater can deliver in one hour, starting with a full tank. Multiply your household members by 12 to get the FHR you need.

Flow Rate

A tankless unit’s capability is determined by flow rate, as expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). Assess your needs by combining the GPM of hot water that each of your fixtures and appliances use. For example, running a shower with 2.0 GPM and dishwasher with 2.5 GPM requires a flow rate of 4.5 GPM.

Unit Size

A storage tank water heater takes up valuable space (although there are also space-saving models). A tankless water heater is the most compact option for small spaces, such as cottages, offices and mobile homes.

Energy Factor

Look for the Energy Factor (EF) rating on the unit’s EnerGuide label. Efficiency is determined by a water heater’s energy factor. The higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater.

Capacity

A storage tank heater can store anywhere from 2 to 60+ gallons. Base your tank size on the number of people in your household and appliances used.

Glass-lined Tank

A glass-lined tank is designed to reduce corrosion inside the water storage tank, extending the life of your water heater.

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FAQs

What size water heater do I need?

For a tank-style water heater you need to consider the size of your household. For 1 or 2 people a 23 to 36 gallon tank should suffice. For 3 to 4 people you’ll want a 36 to 46 gallon tank. For every additional person after that you should add 10 more gallons of capacity.

Is a gas or electric water heater better?

That depends on your priorities. The installation process and upfront cost for both units is similar. Electric water heaters are more energy efficient, but gas water heaters are less expensive to run due to the lower cost of natural gas. This can make gas water heaters more cost-effective in the long run. Electric heaters are more environmentally-friendly because they can be powered by renewable energy sources, whereas natural gas must extraced from the earth.

How long does a water heater last?

Several factors affect a water heater’s lifespan, including local water quality, the amount of usage, and whether it receives regular maintenance. Tank-type water heaters contain an anode rod that protects the tank by attracting all corrosive particles to itself. But the rod will eventually corrode, allowing those particles to settle at the bottom of the tank and compromise the liner. This gives tank-type water heaters a lifespan of 8 to 12 years. A tankless water heater will also suffer from corrosion, but it can last up to 20 years because it does not work continuously to maintain a supply of hot water.

How does a tankless water heater work?

Tankless water heaters, also called “on-demand water heaters”, operate differently than traditional models as they do not store hot water in a tank. They only heat water when it is required via high-powered burners in a heat exchanger. One advantage of this that you’ll never run out of hot water because there’s no tank to run dry. A tankless water heater costs a little more, but it’s also more energy efficient so you’ll save money over time.

Installation Home Comfort Improvement Moving & Home Value

Here’s How to Choose the Right Water Heater

Popular Types of Water Heaters

Fuel Types

Buying Considerations & Features

First-Hour Rating (FHR)

Flow Rate

Unit Size

Energy Factor

Capacity

Glass-lined Tank

FAQs

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