The first decision in choosing a new tank-style water heater is usually the fuel source. A natural gas unit will cost less to operate than an electric model - the price difference can be paid back in energy savings in just a few months.
Size isn't everything
Bigger isn't always better, and water heater tanks are no exception - you don't want to pay for more than you need.
Start by estimating how much hot water your family uses, and when they use it. Use our Hot Water Usage Chart to calculate your household consumption.
Then look for these ratings on the yellow-and-black EnergyGuide label to help you determine what size your family needs: - If your family uses a lot of hot water at certain times of the day - morning showers, for example - look for a model with a higher first-hour rating. This measures how much hot water the unit can produce in one hour.
- If you family uses hot water all day long, find a water heater with a fast recovery rate to ensure that you'll never run out of hot water. The recovery rate shows how long it take the full tank of water to heat to the proper temperature.
When you consider these ratings, you'll find that a high-efficiency 40-gallon tank might provide more hot water in one hour or "recover" faster than an inefficient 50-gallon unit. |
