Is it time to replace your hot water tank, or is it just becoming apparent that you need an upgrade, and you're wondering what size to get? The size of your hot water tank will make a huge difference in everything from your morning routine to your utility bill. Here is everything you need to know to help you choose the right size gas water heater for your home.
What Factors Impact Tank Requirements?
There are a few factors to consider when deciding what size gas water heater your home needs. The number of people in your home has the most obvious impact on your hot water usage, of course, especially when people are on the same general schedule. The more people showering around the same time, the faster you'll plow through that hot water tank! How much hot water you go through in a day might be a little different, though, depending on individual habits such as how long showers take, how often you run the dishwasher or hot water loads of laundry, and so on.
What to Look For: Tank Size
The first and most obvious feature to consider, of course, is the size of the tank. How many gallons your tank holds will determine how long of a shower you can take, whether multiple people can shower in the mornings and whether you can do multiple tasks that use hot water, such as run the dishwasher, washing machine, and still have enough hot water for a shower. Too big a tank can backfire, though, as you'll be spending a lot of energy to heat far more water than you need.
According to Energy.gov, the average shower takes about 10 gallons of hot water, while the dishwasher and clothes washer takes 6 and 7, respectively. Your gas water heater should be large enough to support all of the demands of "peak" times, such as when everyone is showering at the same time in the morning. Another way to look at it: You'll want about 30 gallons for one person, and another 10 gallons for each additional person. So if you have a four-person household, you should be looking at 60-gallon tanks or larger, which would allow for multiple people to shower simultaneously and still have enough hot water to run the dishwasher or washing machine.
Other Features to Consider
Tank size isn't the only feature you should be looking at in a gas water heater. You should also pay attention to the first-hour rating (FHR), which will tell you how much hot water the unit can put out in the first hour of its usage. This will tell you whether the unit can provide enough water for everyone in your household to shower at once in the morning, for instance. You'll also want to look at how quickly the water heater can reheat the water once most or all of its contents have been used up. This is determined by looking at the BTU, which is a measurement of the amount of energy the heater uses. More powerful heaters will be able to recover more quickly.
Making the Right Decision for Your Household
A water heater can be with you for ten years, so it's important not only to look at your current hot water needs, but where you'll be in four, six, or eight years, especially for those with growing families. Choosing the right water heater is a big decision, but not to worry, Maeser's is here to help you make the right choice! Call us today and we'll schedule one of our experienced technicians to help you choose a gas water heater that will meet your needs for years to come.
Your furnace plays a big role in maintaining the comfort in your home. So when a problem arises, it's important to address it quickly. Most homeowners are going to have to deal with replacing their furnace and investing in a new system. So let's take a look at a few important steps that need to be done prior to furnace installation.
Decide between replacement and repairing: When something goes wrong with your furnace, you may be tempted to scrap the whole system and go for furnace replacement right off the bat. However, there may be a chance at repairing the furnace and saving you a ton of money on new furnace installation. So before you go out and buy a new furnace, invest in heating services -- having an HVAC technician look at the system will help you determine if heating repair can be done or if you really do need a new furnace.
Do your research: Homeowners have a wide selection when it comes to new furnaces. And because of this, it's important to do some research before you make a purchase. There are a lot of different factors you should consider when selecting a new furnace: efficiency, size, and cost are all important factors to keep in mind. All in all, you need to take some time to compare your options and choose the right system for your needs.
Have the whole system inspected: Before you schedule your furnace installation, it may be a good idea to have your entire heating and cooling system inspected. While HVAC systems should have maintenance inspections twice a year for maximum efficiency, it's always a good idea to ensure there are no problems before installing new equipment. An HVAC technician will be able to check out your ductwork, vents, and the overall circulation of the system to make sure everything is in working condition.
Hopefully, this article will help you choose the best furnace for your needs. Following these steps will help prepare you to invest in a new furnace. Make sure to schedule your heating services with a reputable HVAC company for the best results possible.