3 Costly Mistakes Homeowners Make When Buying A Water Heater
Buying a water heater is a long-term investment. According to a report by the Government of Canada, the average Canadian uses about 75 litres of hot water every day! In fact, 19% of total home energy consumption goes toward heating water on a regular basis.
This makes the entire process an expensive one. So if you’ve chosen a water heater that doesn’t suit your needs, you’ll end up incurring high purchase costs or high energy costs.
This post will help you avoid costly mistakes when it comes to water heater purchase:
Choosing storage tanks over tankless heaters
Tankless water heaters consume about 30% less energy than storage tank variants, as per a government source. This is because they heat water only when required, rather than keeping it warm all day. Most homeowners fall for storage tanks because of their lower initial cost—but the costs quickly meet, and exceed, those of tankless water heaters.
In addition, storage tank heaters ‘store’ and heat huge amounts of water. If your hot water usage is not high, you might be spending unnecessary money. The storage tank also needs a lot of space. If you’ve got less room, tankless water heaters are a better, and more cost-efficient, option.
Not considering energy efficiency
The fuel that your water heater consumes is also a determinant of the total cost associated with it. One of the mistakes people make is buying a water heater without first accounting for their utility costs and efficiency rates.
Electric heaters are cheaper to buy, easier to install, and safer, since there is no threat of fuel leaks or explosions. In addition, electric heaters don’t carry out combustion, so there is no threat of the heater wasting heat.
The efficiency of the system matters just as much as the total cost of running the heater. Most homeowners think gas is cheaper. In reality, they end up losing money because of energy losses in the long term.
Not choosing the right service
If you plan on using the same heater for the next couple of years, you must invest in a service that offers maintenance and servicing. Most manufacturers provide these services already—and for free—if you get them to install the heater for you.
At the same time, you must not delay any servicing your heater requires. Doing so will reduce both the efficiency and lifespan of your heater in the long run.
If you’re searching for affordable and reliable water heater repair services in London, Ontario, get in touch with George’s Plumbing and Heating. Head over to our website to learn more.