The homeowner’s guide to purchasing a water heater

Picking the right type of device

It is important to spend some time thinking about which water heaters are most suitable for your needs, family, and lifestyle. Take into considerations aspects like size, efficiency, materials, security, and cost, particularly if you are working with a tight budget. You’ll also need to find a skilled plumber to install it, so it is worth asking around for recommendations in your local area.

Checking the safety credentials

Safety is a vital consideration when working with high temperatures and water. For gas heaters, there needs to be a secure and completely sealed combustion chamber. Direct and power vent heaters are particularly valuable because they diffuse heat faster and get rid of potentially noxious fumes. If you can, pick up a water heater with a combined carbon monoxide detector, because these little accessories have the potential to save lives.

Considering all the options

For homeowners who need to replace a faulty water heater, there are two possible options. Either you can invest in a traditional storage tank device or you can splash out on a slightly more modern product. The contemporary heaters don’t usually come with a storage tank; they heat the water that you need, as you use it, and minimise waste. The downside is that they cost a little bit more. Then again, with the cash that you save on energy bills, you could end up cancelling out this extra expense over time.

Finding a skilled plumbing team

If you have the right knowledge and expertise, it is possible to install a new water heater without outside help. However, it is not recommended for anybody with either basic or no plumbing experience. Things can go wrong; you can end up damaging the new device or sustaining an injury. So, the safest approach is to find a reputable local plumber who can fit the water heater in the space of an afternoon. As contractors are fully covered and insured, any unexpected mishaps aren’t your problem to fix.

Putting your faith in local reviews

You can usually mine a lot of information from the local community when it comes to finding a reputable plumbing service. Ask around, get recommendations from friends, colleagues, and family members – word of mouth reputation is a powerful thing and it tends to be very trustworthy in smaller towns and communities. The best way to get a feel for the going market rate is to ask two or three companies for cost estimates and then pick the most suitable. Do remember that cheapest doesn’t always equal the best quality; choose wisely and carefully.