There are a variety of water heater options. Water heaters come in many sizes, have several energy source options, and have various warranties available. There are gas, electric, oil, and green power options. There are tank type water heaters and tankless units. The knowledgeable staff at Mr. Waterheater can guide you when selecting the size, warranty and type of tank that’s best for you.
Mr. Waterheater stocks many sizes of residential and commercial gas, electric, and power vent water heaters. The 40 gallon and 50 gallon gas and electric water heaters are the most common hot water tanks that we install for residential use. Although the 40 and 50 gallon size are most common, we install 2.5 gallon point-of-use water heaters, up to 120 gallon water heaters for residential use. Our experts can guide you through the manufacturer’s sizing charts to help you select which size will be best for your needs.
There are also a variety of sizes available for commercial use. Each commercial application is different so call our experts to schedule a free estimate, which will determine the commercial tank best suited for your business or multi-unit needs.
SIZE OF TANK
The capacity of a hot water heater should be based on the number of occupants and the peak hour water demand, regardless of the size of the house. The water heater should provide enough hot water at the busiest time of the day. Also consider the number of plumbing fixtures you have in the home. The more sinks you have, the greater the demand for hot water. Also consider extraordinary hot water demands, such as hot tubs.
The ability of a water heater to meet peak demands for hot water is indicated by its "first hour rating." Read more on first hour rating for further information. This rating accounts for the effects of tank size and the speed by which cold water is heated.
| NUMBER IN FAMILY | RECOMMENDED SIZE OF TANK |
|---|---|
| 1 to 3 (or 4) | 40 Gallon |
| 4 - 6 | 50 gallon or 50 gallon high recovery |
| 6 to 8 | 50 gallon high recovery or 75 gallon |
| This is only a guide and does not guarantee that you will not run out of hot water. | |
ENERGY SOURCE
The most economical water heater replacement will use the same source of energy for your water heater. If you have an electric water heater, replace it with an electric water heater; if you have a gas-fired water heater, replace it with a gas-fired water heater. Changing energy sources will usually require additional plumbing and/or electrical work. GAS WATER HEATERS – All gas water heaters remove carbon monoxide through a metal flue pipe or plastic pipe. Standard gas water heaters vent into a chimney, double-lined vent, or flue liner. Power vent water heaters vent with a plastic pipe directly to the outside. The power vents house a motor on top of the tank to assist with venting. If you need assistance determining which type of gas water heater you have, our experts at Mr. Waterheater are happy to assist you.
WARRANTY—Get the best warranty.
For storage tank water heaters, most warranties cover the tank for 6, 8, 10, or 12 years. Labor is covered for the first year only. For greater peace of mind,we recommend purchasing a longer warranty, especially if you intend on staying at your current residence long-term. Even if you plan on moving in a few years, the warranties are transferrable to the new homeowner. A longer warranty is also advisable if you have a water softener in your home because they can speed up the rate of anode corrosion, which will deteriorate the glass lining of your water heater. Most tankless water heaters have longer warranties than tank type water heaters. Since each manufacturer’s warranty is different, we will be happy to explain the warranties available for your tankless unit.
Energy Efficiency
The energy efficiency of a water heater is indicated by its energy factor (EF), an overall efficiency based on the use of 64 gallons of hot water per day. The first national appliance efficiency standards for water heaters took effect in 1990. New standards, which took effect in January 2004, increased the minimum efficiency levels of water heaters. Standards are again to be updated in the next few years. The higher the EF, the more efficient the model. Water heaters with high EF ratings may cost more initially but save energy and money in the long run.
First Hour Rating
Another important factor in choosing a water heater is the First Hour Rating. The First Hour Rating is an indicator of how much hot water a particular model can provide. The rating, in gallons of desired temperature hot water, reached by combining the amount of usable hot water stored in the tank plus how many gallons of usable hot water the water heater can generate in one hour of operation. For example, if a 40-gallon natural gas water heater will store 31 gallons of usable hot water and can deliver 41 gallons of usable hot water in the first hour, its First Hour Rating is 72 gallons.
Quick Recovery
A quick recovery water heater effectively offers homeowners more capacity for the same size tank. It can recover hot water 50% faster than a standard 50 gallon gas water heater.
The added capacity can be especially attractive to homeowners with teenagers, Jacuzzi tubs or people who have no problem using more than 40 gallons per shower! Often space limitations preclude a larger water heater, making quick recovery the best option for homeowners who want hot water recovery faster.
Expansion Tanks & Regulators
As part of the Mr. Waterheater service we will check water pressure going into the house or business at no charge. Water pressure should not exceed 80 psi (pounds per square inch), according to the code in most areas. If the pressure is higher than the 80 psi, it may cause wear and tear on all plumbing fixtures throughout your house or business. Regulators and expansion tanks play a large role in regulating water pressure.
A water pressure regulator is a valve installed on your cold water line located by the water meter. Its sole purpose is to control the water pressure coming into your home or business. A water pressure regulator is important because high pressure not only causes added stress on your water heater, but also on your faucets, toilets, showers etc. Mr. Waterheater has the capability of replacing the regulator at an additional charge. We stock these on our trucks so our technicians come prepared.
Along with checking water pressure, our technicians will also check for thermal expansion. Thermal expansion occurs when water is heated and expands, flowing from your hot water tank into your homes water supply. An expansion tank is designed to collect the expanded water. An expansion tank is a small tank used to protect closed water heating systems and domestic hot water systems from excessive pressure. The tank is partially filled with air, whose compressibility cushions shock caused by water hammer and absorbs excess water pressure caused by thermal expansion.
Thermocouples
Inside the burner compartment of your gas water heater right in front of the pilot light, is a small metal probe called a thermocouple. The thermocouple is a safety device that senses when the pilot light is burning. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple signals the gas valve to remain closed until the pilot light is relit.
When thermocouples wear out, the pilot light goes out, not allowing the burner to light, causing you to lose your hot water. If this should happen, first try relighting the pilot following the directions pasted on the tank. If the pilot lights but the flame goes out as soon as you release the button after holding it for 60 seconds, then the thermocouple and / or thermostat are bad.
