The plumbing industry is huge with a market size of $129 billion. This makes sense as it is a vital industry that people need to function in society. Also, since it is such a vast market, it’s competitive, leaving room for the consumer (you) to find competitive deals and choose from various options regarding your plumbing needs.

You may have just searched for “water heater near me” and come across this article. You’ve come to the right place and we are now going to describe how you can find the right water heater for your home.

By the end of reading this, you’ll know what water heater you need and how to get it.

What to Consider When Buying a Water Heater

Here are a few checklist considerations you should have on hand when looking for a water heater:

• Fuel source
• Heater type
• Heater capacity
• Where you’ll place it

Let’s now expand on these considerations. Write some of these water heater tips down for future reference.

Fuel Source

There are gas/propane, electric, or hybrid water heaters available for you to think about. Depending on your situation, one of these options may best suit your needs.

Here is some information about each one:

Gas/Propane Water Heaters

Gas or propane water heaters still require electricity to start their pilot light. They make use of a burner to heat your water and require a certain amount of space to surround them for air circulation.

Since these heaters use a burner, you need to ensure that they are well away from anything that’s easily combustible. Also, you should know that gas/propane heaters tend to be more expensive than electric versions for the initial payout. However, once you have one running, it will cost less than its electrical counterparts.

Size-wise, you can expect gas/propane water heaters to range from 30 to 100 gallons. For a family of four, for example, you should be looking at a water heater the size of about 60 gallons.

Electric Water Heaters

Every electric water heater will require a 240-volt connection that you have to dedicate to the heater. They tend to use one or two heating elements to provide you with hot water.

If you have a small budget, then you may want to opt for an electric heater, as the initial cost is typically less than the others. You’ll just have to contend with higher bills than you would have with other water heaters in the long run.

That being said, there are plenty of electric water heater options now that are super-efficient. Some are efficient enough to compete with their gas/propane and hybrid counterparts.

Size-wise, electric water heaters tend to be sold in the same capacity as gas/propane options; in the 30-100 gallon range.

Hybrid Water Heaters

Many believe that a hybrid water heater is the best water heater option on the market. The reason for this is that they can deliver significant cost savings when used in the right way.

Like electric heaters, hybrid heaters need a dedicated 240-volt connection. They work by using energy in the air to heat your water! This air can be from the room where you keep it or from outside.

You have the option of having a hybrid heater as an add-on to your existing tank, or you can buy one that has its own tank. The only possible downside to these heaters is that the initial cost is much more than any of the other water heater options. The plus side is that over time, you will save a lot of money if you make the investment.

If you are willing to spend more upfront, you will reap huge benefits from a hybrid water heater due to its unmatchable efficiency. Size-wise, you can expect to get one of these heaters to range between 50-80 gallons.

Tankless or On-Demand Heaters

Tankless or on-demand heaters don’t store any water. Instead, these heater types heat water as it flows through their coils.

Thus, the energy efficiency of tankless or on-demand heater types is much more than other types, as they don’t need to heat gallons of water up at a time.

Electric tankless water heaters are by far the most desirable, as they can give you instant hot water but don’t require much space to function. There are also natural gas and propane tankless heaters that can offer you more efficiency.

Water Heater Tank Capacities

If you do choose to get a water heater with a tank, then you should be aware of the capacities relevant to different household needs. We already mentioned that a family of four may require a 60-gallon tank to serve their needs, but what about other family sizes?

Well, households of one to two people might consider getting a 30-gallon tank. Families of 3 might want to get a 40-gallon tank. If you have a family of over 5 people, you should be looking at the 80-100 gallon range.

Water Heater Repair

Whatever water heater type you choose, at some point you will likely need water heater repair. We recommend that before you invest in any new water heater, you research a reputable repair service for future reference.

This water heater repair service is a solid example of what you should be looking for.

Finding the Right Water Heater Near Me

When searching for a water heater near me, ensure you know what to look for. There are various types of water heaters on the market. Some will cost more upfront but in the long run, they will offer you more efficiency.

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