Selecting & Upgrading Heaters
Storage water heaters come in sizes and varieties to fit just about any household need. New storage water heaters in general are much more energy-efficient than older models; advances in insulation and venting have significantly reduced heat losses, leading to lower operating costs. Storage water heaters are less expensive to install than tankless systems, and are familiar to all of us.
How do you choose the right water heater to upgrade your existing heater? Besides considering energy sources and energy efficiency, you also need to think about the size of heater you need.
The size of storage water heater your household needs is determined by your maximum water usage and the heater’s “first hour rating”. The first hour rating tells you how much hot water the heater can provide per hour starting with a full, hot tank of water. The first hour rating depends on the size of the heater, the source of heat, and the power of the burner or heating element. The first hour rating should be high enough to provide all the hot water your household needs at your peak hour demand.
There are a lot of factors that go into choosing a water heater, and Washington Water Heaters can help you sort them out. We carry all major brands of storage water heaters. Rather than trying to adapt one particular brand to every situation, we prefer to find the perfect heater for your home. We can help you with the decisions and recommend the water heating system that is best and most cost-effective for your needs and budget.
