You would choose a hot water system and then have it installed by a licensed plumber or a nonlicensed plumber. If your family is growing and you need more hot water, you would simply have a larger tank installed.
Today, installing a hot water system isn’t as simple.
If you are looking for an energy-intensive electric hot water heater, you could have problems because these water heaters are being phased out. While they are still sold, we are being encouraged to buy water heaters that are more energy efficient. If you start looking around for alternatives, the number of choices available can be overwhelming.
Today, there are plenty of hot water systems on the market to choose from:
Solar and heat pump systems use storage tanks, however, the energy that is used to heat the water comes from a renewable energy source.
A solar heater would use solar panels that are mounted on the roof. It would use the energy from the sun to heat the water. Heat pumps use the surrounding air to heat the water. They would both need some conventional energy to run, however, it is much less that a standard electric or gas heater would use.
Instantaneous water heaters provide hot water “on demand.” When the hot water faucet is turned on, it would pass through a heat exchanger that makes it hot. Because there is no water in a tank that needs to be kept hot constantly using energy, it can save on energy costs. The only drawback to these systems is that the hot water will flow more slowly.
If you have a large family and you need more hot water on demand, you might need to install more than one system.
Electric and gas water heaters are the most popular because they have been around for decades. They are also cheaper to buy and install than the other hot water systems available. The only problem is that they are more expensive to run. Over time, they will become the most expensive option available.
When you are trying to decide which hot water system would be best for you, consider your family’s hot water needs along with what you are willing to pay in water heating costs over time. If you have a small family and you only need hot water for a few people, instantaneous water systems would be your best bet. If you have a large family and you will need a lot of hot water, you should consider a solar water heating system or a heat pump.
Over time, you will find that these two options are the most cost-effective. If natural gas is available in your area, you should look into it. It could be the best choice.
When trying to choose the best water heating system for you, consider the government rebates that you could qualify for. If you are planning to install a solar system or a heat pump, you would qualify for a Small-scale
Technology Certificate. Before you make your decision regarding your new hot water system, you should get quotes from the supplier to find out what you can get back in rebates. If the rebates are significant enough, going with a water pump or a solar heating system could be the most cost-effective options.
There are plenty of jobs around the house that are great DIY jobs for the handy homeowner, however, installing a water heater is not one of them. You need to have your water heater installed by either a licensed plumber or a licensed plumber/gasfitter.
If you are planning to install a newer system, you might need to search around. It is important to find a licensed professional who has extensive knowledge and experience with your specific type of hot water system. If you are going with an instantaneous system, the company you purchased the water heater from should be able to give you the names of plumbers who are qualified to install these systems. If you are going with solar, you should only hire a solar water heater installer.
Even though you need to hire a specialist installer, you should still get quotes.
When getting quotes, you should compare them carefully and keep a few things in mind.
If you compare all of the hot water systems and everything seems to be equal, you should choose the least expensive system. If you have the money in your budget, you could go with a system from a more reputable manufacturer. Over time, the additional quality could pay for itself.
