There are many different water heaters on the market, leaving Canadians wondering how to buy a water heater and which one is right for their home. If you have an old house and want to upgrade your water heater there are many things to consider. We break them down in this water heater buying guide.
How Does a Water Heater Work?
At Dows ClimateCare we often get questions like, “What is a hot water tank and how does it work?” Hot water heaters heat the water in your home for showering laundry, dishes, and more. Water is heated by electric resistance elements or gas.
Wondering how to buy a water heater for your home? Check out our water heater guide below to learn more about the best type of hot water heater, the best ideas for circulating hot water in an old house, and more.
When to Get a New Water Heater
When you live in an older home, it can be tricky to determine when to get a new water heater. The average traditional gas or electric hot water heater lasts between 10 to 15 years. Aside from age, there are signs that tell Canadians when to get a new water heater, such as:
- The heater is taking longer to warm the water
- Noise is coming from your water heater
- Signs of rust or leaking on/around the unit
- Higher water or electricity bill
- Low hot water pressure in an old house
- The heater requires a greater than average number of repairs
If you notice these signs, it might be time to swap out that old model for a new one.
Tank or Tankless?
When it comes time to choose the most efficient hot water heating system, it helps to consider tank vs. Tankless heating systems.
Tank-style water heaters are the traditional form of water heaters. They use an actual tank to store heated water for later use. Tankless heaters have no tank to store hot water. Rather they heat water as you use it.
There are pros and cons to both models. For example, tank heaters:
- Are bulky
- Less expensive
- Take up more space
- Heat large quantities of water at once
- Offer high utility bills
Tankless heaters:
- Offer a virtually endless supply of hot water
- Energy efficient
- Are more expensive to install
- Heat water quickly
- Require more regular maintenance
Which is best? It depends on the number of people living in your home, the size of your home, and how often you use hot water.
If you are in the market for a new water heater, contact our experts and they would be happy to walk you through your options and find a unit that is perfect for your needs.
Best Ideas for Circulating Hot Water in an Old House
In older houses, it takes a while for the water to run hot. You can increase hot water circulation by installing a hot water circulation pump.
Traditional hot water heaters send hot water throughout pipes in the house, from bottom to top. This leaves some water to get cold as it waits to be used. The result? When you turn on your tap, that cold water comes out while you wait for the warm water to reach you.
A hot water circulation pump forces this cooled water back through the pipes to the heater so there is regularly available hot water for use.
Contact Dows ClimateCare Today
Have questions for our HVAC experts regarding your hot water options? Contact our team today.
