Water heaters use electricity, gas, heating oil, or solar energy to prepare hot water for household use. Tank-type models (also called storage water heaters) are most common. You’ll need to know your peak hour and first-hour rating (FHR) to choose the right size water heater. These are calculated using a worksheet. For more information, visit this link Hot Water Now to proceed.
Energy efficiency is a major factor in selecting a water heater. The best models minimize energy consumption and emissions while delivering enough hot water for your household. The right unit can pay for itself within a few years in energy savings alone.
You can easily determine the energy efficiency of a new storage or tankless model by looking for the bright yellow and black EnergyGuide label. The label provides a model’s estimated annual energy consumption on a scale showing how it compares to other similar units. You can also look for a high Energy Factor (EF) model. This rating indicates how efficient the unit is at heating water compared to similar models with the same tank size.
Conventional gas-powered models use a pilot light to ignite the flame that heats the water. This constant fire consumes small amounts of gas even when the tank is empty. New energy-efficient models use electric ignition to minimize this energy waste. They also have thicker insulation to reduce standby losses and distribution losses.
If you prefer a natural gas water heater, ensure the tank has an atmospheric vent, reducing energy costs by eliminating the need to maintain a standing pilot. A gas water heater with a smaller capacity may be more cost-effective than a larger one, especially in areas where the price of natural gas is low.
A hybrid water heater uses various technologies to deliver the most energy efficiency. It has a standard combustion system to heat the water, but it can also draw on a roof-mounted solar cell to supplement its fuel source.
The cell absorbs the sun’s rays and transfers the heat to an antifreeze-like fluid in the system that runs to the water heater tank. This process reduces energy usage, but it will only work well in colder regions or cloudy days. Some utilities offer rebates for solar-powered water heaters.
A water heater’s first-hour rating (FHR) indicates its capacity to produce enough hot water to satisfy a household’s demand. This figure is based on the tank’s weight and heat source, which can be either gas or electric. The FHR is determined by multiplying the tank’s full capacity by 0.70 and adding its recovery rate, which indicates how quickly it can recover lost hot water during a peak-hour period.
A newer, more efficient water heater can have a higher FHR than a traditional model. This number, along with its tank size and heat source, is considered by many plumbing pros when determining the ideal water heater for a particular household.
Water consumption throughout the day and year will impact a household and Peak Hour Demand (Ph.D.) when the most hot water is consumed. This may be early in the morning when people are getting ready for work or school, at noon when everyone is taking a shower, or later in the evening as washing machines and dishwashers run.
The more people in a house and the more appliances they use simultaneously, the greater the amount of hot water consumed at any given time. It’s important to know how many gallons of hot water are used during peak hours to determine whether a new, more energy-efficient unit would be suitable.
Understanding water energy efficiency, FHR, and Ph.D. ratings will help homeowners better compare and choose the right one for their homes in Denver-Boulder. Our friendly, knowledgeable plumbing team at Save Home Heat Company is happy to assist customers in the area with these important details so they can make an informed purchase that will meet their family’s water needs. Contact us today to learn more about our range of quality water heaters and services. We can also provide more information about energy-efficient units and answer other questions.
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Water heating accounts for 14-18% of a home’s energy consumption, so choosing the right size tank and heater for your family is important. If you get one that’s too big; you could run out of hot water during peak demand hours and spend more on your utility bill than necessary. Likewise, get one that’s too small. You might need more hot water for everyone in your household at all times and run the risk of the unit working hard to keep up with your household demands, which can shorten its life expectancy.
Conventional storage tank water heaters typically come in 30, 40, 50, and 55 gallons or more in sizes. Choosing the right tank for your household starts with figuring out how much water you use daily and when it’s used. For example, the number of showers taken and whether they are long or short, the number of people in the household and if there are any who like to take back-to-back showers, the bathtub size, and the frequency of washing machines and dishwasher use can all influence how much water your household uses.
To determine if a particular tank is the right size for your household, look at its first-hour rating (FHR). This is listed on the yellow Energy Guide label of every traditional storage tank, and it tells you how many gallons the water heater can supply in an hour, starting with a full tank of hot water. Calculate your household’s optimum FHR by counting the number of people living in your home, then multiplying that figure by 12.
Once you have a general idea of how much water you use on an average day, it’s time to determine the exact tank size that will meet your needs. Use the chart below as a guide. However, remember that the numbers are approximate, and your actual peak hour usage may vary from the estimates.
A water heater is used to warm up cold incoming water and deliver it to sinks, showers, dishwashers, laundry machines, etc. They are usually located in the basement/cellar area of a building and are powered by electricity or gas. The average lifespan of a water heater is around 8 to 12 years, so it is wise to start considering replacement when the unit approaches or exceeds this age. Older units are more prone to leaks, corrosion, and breakdowns.
Installing a new electric water heater is typically relatively straightforward for experienced DIYers, but it still requires some basic plumbing and electrical skills. Before embarking on this project, drawing up the entire installation plan on paper is best to minimize the number of fittings and components you need and make trips to the hardware store to buy forgotten items.
The first step is to remove the old tank and disconnect all the pipe connections. The next step is to drain the water from the tank, which can be done using a drain valve located at the bottom of the heater tank. This step is important, as it enables you to clean the sediment (e.g., calcite, rust, or bits of corroded anode) and remove it from the tank, thus helping to prolong the life of the heating elements.
Once the tank has been drained, it is important to close the drain valve before turning on the circuit breaker for the water heater. You should also shut off the gas supply to the water heater and open the cold water taps in your home so you can flush out the system.
If you are installing a new gas-powered water heater, hire an experienced plumber or professional contractor to do the job for you. They will have the tools and equipment necessary to complete the installation safely, minimizing the risk of leaks and other problems. The cost of hiring a pro can vary depending on location, materials needed, and labor rates.
If you plan to install a condensing or hybrid water heater, be prepared for a more complicated installation process, as these units require a different ventilation system. This can drive up the overall cost of the project.