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Here's How to Choose the Right Water Heater for Your Home

Here's How to Choose the Right Water Heater for Your Home

Is it time to replace your water heater? If so, you’ll want to consider all the options available. Hot water heaters supply household fixtures and appliances such as dishwashers, showers and more. There are different types of water heaters, each with various features to consider. Unsure how to decide? Keep reading to find out what you need to know before you buy.

Browse Home Hardware’s large selection of water heaters.

Heat Things Up with the Right Water Heater

So, it’s time to replace your hot water heater. You’ll want to look for one that provides enough heat for your household and is both energy-efficient and cost-effective.
  • What type of fuel source do you have?
  • What size do you need?
  • What style suits your living space?
These are a few of the questions you should ask yourself before buying a water heater.

Popular Types of Water Heaters

Storage Tank Water Heaters

Storage tank water heaters are the most common type of water heater. Gallons of water are heated and stored in a tank, ready for use anytime.

Features:
  • Economical with a lower up-front cost
  • Has a wide capacity range to suit your household needs
  • Requires regular maintenance to operate efficiently and effectively over time
  • Standard life expectancy is 10-15 years with proper maintenance
​
Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters (also known as on-demand) heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. They use heating coils to heat the water as you need it, providing an endless supply of hot water.

Features:
  • Small in size and hung on a wall to free up floor space
  • More expensive up front but longer lasting and more energy efficient
  • Longer life expectancy at 20+ years with easily replaceable parts
  • Best for use with natural gas; electric models may require an upgrade to increase the electricity capacity of your home

GOOD TO KNOW:
Switching from a hot water tank to a tankless water heater can be expensive because you’ll have to retrofit your plumbing and possibly your electrical system. However, if you are building a new home or adding on an addition a tankless unit may make more economic sense. And despite the initial cost, a tankless unit is more cost-effective over time due to its low energy use.

Things to Consider

In addition to the kind of water heater, you need to consider other criteria to make sure it’s the right fit for your home. Important considerations include fuel type and tank size.

Fuel Types

When replacing a hot water heater, it’s best to choose one that runs on the same type of fuel, whether it’s gas or electricity. The three main sources of water heater fuel are electric, natural gas and propane. They are all available in both storage tank and tankless models.

Electric Water Heaters

Electric hot water tanks feature large coils that hang down into the tank to heat the water.

Pros/Cons:
  • Less expensive up front and doesn’t require venting
  • Easier to install
  • Made with replaceable heating elements for repairs over time
  • Generally, less efficient and more expensive to run over time than natural gas or propane due to high energy usage
Natural Gas Water Heaters

Natural gas water heaters feature a gas burner at the bottom of the tank and a venting chimney at the top. Carbon dioxide and water vapour by-products exit through the venting chimney and outdoors through your house chimney or a side wall vent.

Natural gas water heaters typically use less energy than electric water heaters but can cost more up front.

Pros/Cons:
  • More expensive up front
  • Tends to heat up more quickly
  • Uses less energy
  • Requires more space for installation and requires venting
Propane Water Heaters

Propane Water Heaters work the same as natural gas but use propane as the fuel source. Propane tends to cost more than natural gas, but less is required to produce the same amount of energy. Propane is most commonly used when there is no access to natural gas.

Pros/Cons:
  • Heats water faster than electric
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Accesses propane from a large tank on the property
  • Takes up less space in the home but must be refilled





GOOD TO KNOW:

While it’s usually better to stick to the same fuel source, if more than one fuel type is available in your area, it's a good idea to compare fuel costs. It may turn out that you'll save money in the long run by switching to a different fuel or energy source. ​



Capacity and Flow—What You Need to Know

The size of tank you choose will depend on the number of people in your household and the types of appliances used. An undersized water heater won’t be able to withstand the demands of your household.

Storage Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters are chosen by capacity and have a large range. They can store anywhere from 2 to 60 gallons or more.

You can use the first-hour rating (FHR) to help determine the tank size you need. FHR is the number of gallons a water heater can deliver in an hour starting with a full tank.

Use this easy calculation for a quick estimate on your family’s FHR. Count the number of people in your home and multiply by 12. For example, a family of four has an FHR of 48 gallons.

You’ll often find the FHR on the EnergyGuide label. Check it to make sure it aligns with your supply needs.

Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless unit’s capability is determined by flow, not capacity. Flow rate is expressed in gallons per minute (GPM). The higher the GPM, the more water the unit can deliver.

To calculate your household needs, determine the GPM of hot water that each of your fixtures and appliances need and add them together. For example, if you expect to simultaneously run a shower with a 2.0 GPM and dishwasher with a 2.5 GPM, you have a flow rate of 4.5 GPM.

TIP: To reduce flow rates, install low-flow water fixtures.

Water Heaters for Small Spaces

In smaller homes and tight areas, a storage tank water heater can take up valuable space. A tankless water heater hangs on a wall out of the way so it’s a good option for smaller spaces.

You can also look into space-saving storage tank water heaters for areas where space may be limited such as cottages, offices and mobile homes.

Features to Look Out For

Consider these additional features when choosing your new hot water heater.

Glass-lined Tanks
Glass-lined tanks are designed to reduce corrosion inside the tank, extending the life of your water heater.

Energy Factor
Look for the Energy Factor (EF) rating on the unit’s EnerGuide label. Efficiency is determined by a water heater’s energy factor. The higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater.

Energy Star ® Water Heaters
Energy Star water heaters are available in both gas and electric and tank and tankless models. They heat water the same as standard units but use much less energy. Look for the ENERGY STAR symbol for a more efficient water heater.

Now that you’re armed with the information you need, you’re ready to choose your shiny new water heater. You’ll avoid running out of hot water or wasting money heating water you don’t use with the right water heater for your household. Who doesn’t love that?

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