Cold shower? No thank you! Nobody likes their shower abruptly interrupted by lukewarm or cold water. After replacing an old water heater, our customers often note that they didn’t realize how quickly their hot water was running out. If your water heater is struggling to keep up with your needs, McFate’s would love to get hot water running through your pipes again.
The most common of water heaters is the storage tank water heater. They tend to be a cylinder shaped tank often found in your garage or closet.
These water heaters have a large tank that stores hot water until it is needed.
Common size tanks can range anywhere from 40-75 gallons for a single-family home.
Storage Tank Water Heaters can be either gas, electric, or hydronic.
Tankless water heaters only heat water as needed but they have an endless supply of hot water so you can run that shower as long as you want without fear of the water turning cold.
Since they do not have a storage tank, they are smaller in size compared to a storage tank water heater.
Tankless water heaters are very energy efficient as they only use energy at the time that the hot water is being needed. Some tankless water heaters even qualify for energy rebates.
These water heaters can be gas or electric. Like most heating appliances in Idaho, they are most efficient when powered by gas.
The best type of water heater for your home will depend on your individual needs and budget. Some factors to consider:
Household size: The size of your water heater will need to be able to meet the hot water demands of your household. How many people live in your house? How many bathrooms do you have?
Hot water usage: If you use hot water frequently, you may need a larger water heater or a more energy-efficient model. Things to consider are how many times do you run the dishwasher, washing machine, and showers? Do you have a large bathtub you need to fill?
Fuel availability: The type of fuel that is available in your area will affect the type of water heater you can choose. Again, we always recommend gas for cost savings.
Budget: Water heaters can range in price. Tankless water heaters tend to cost more up front but can save you money in the long haul on your energy bill. Storage tank water heaters that range from 40-50 gallons tend to cost the least for installation.
It is important to properly maintain your water heater to ensure that it operates efficiently and safely. Here are just a few of the tasks we perform as part of your annual maintenance.
Drain and Flush Tank: This will remove sediment and minerals that can build up in the tank and reduce its efficiency.
Testing the pressure relief valve: This valve will open if the pressure in the tank becomes too high. It should be tested annually.
Inspecting seals at water connectors
Flushing of the heat exchanger for tankless models