Best Water Heater Brands

Energy efficiency

As of April 16, 2015, all residential water heaters manufactured in the United States must meet increased National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) energy-efficiency standards. The most notable change requires a higher Energy Factor (EF) rating. According to the Department of Energy, this will save approximately $63 billion in energy costs from 2015-2044.

• British Thermal Units: BTUs measure the amount of gas or electricity used per hour to heat water. The higher the BTU, the quicker water is heated in the tank (recovery time). This is important when considering energy efficiency because the larger the tank, the more BTUs are required to heat it.
• Energy factor: Energy Factor (EF) is a water heater’s overall efficiency. A higher EF means a more efficient unit and therefore more energy savings.
• Self-cleaning: Some companies offer self-cleaning units, which remove the sediment and lime buildup from cold water. Self-cleaning units maintain their energy-efficiency longer resulting in lower operating costs.

Sizing and capacity

The first step when purchasing a water heater is determining the unit size. When determining tank size, consider things like family size, average shower length and the number of rooms per household. When selecting a size, storage capacity is important for tank water heaters and water flow rate is important for tankless water heaters.

• Capacity: Measured in gallons, capacity is how much water your water heater stores. When looking at which tank capacity to buy, consider family size, the number of rooms per household and peak usage times. Most companies provide a broad range of tank capacities from under 30 gallons to over 100 gallons.
• First hour rating: One factor that goes together with capacity sizing is First Hour Rating (FHR). This figure estimates how much hot water the water heater will produce during the first hour of use. It combines the heaters capacity in gallons with its recovery time.
• Flow rate: For tankless systems, water flow rate, also known as gallons-per-minute (GPM), is used to determine the system size. To determine which flow rate you need for your tankless water heater, add up the GPM of each hot water device you expect to use at one time.

Venting options

If you are using a natural gas water heater, it needs to be properly vented. Each venting system must be sized properly depending on the total BTU input for the water heater. There are three types of venting systems: atmospheric, power-vent and direct-vent.

• Atmospheric venting: Typically the most common type of venting system, atmospheric venting works like a chimney. It draws the flue gasses out of the unit through a vertical metal pipe which allows the gasses to be released into the atmosphere.
• Direct venting: Direct-vent water heaters contain a sealed combustion chamber and use a horizontal flue pipe that connects to a wall leading outside. Direct venting is a quieter, more flexible venting option.
• Power venting: A power venting system uses a fan to move flue gasses outdoors. These systems can be installed vertically or horizontally and far away from the unit allowing for flexibility in the installation process. Power venting is the most expensive venting option.

Operating cost

With updated NAECA regulations, almost all water heaters on the market are more energy efficient and cheaper to operate than they used to be. Operating cost is calculated differently depending on the type of unit you have. You can find a cost calculator on the Department of Energy’s (DOE) website, however, most water heaters have the annual operating cost on them.

• Gas: According to the DOE, a gas water heater’s annual operating cost is determined by taking 365 x 41045/ EF x Fuel Cost (BTU).
• Electric: Before calculating the annual operating cost of an electric water heater you will need to know the unit cost of electricity and convert it to kilowatts per hour.  You can find the annual operating cost of electric and heat pump water heaters by taking 365 x 12.03 kWh per day / EF x cost of electricity (kWh).
• Gas vs. electric: Generally gas water heaters are less efficient but the higher cost of electricity makes electric water heaters more expensive to operate.

Lifecycle

One thing to consider when purchasing a water heater is the life cycle of the unit. Some people wait until their old unit fails, however with today’s energy-efficient models, replacing an old, inefficient water heater before it fails can pay for a new unit in just a few years.

• Storage tank water heaters: Tank water heaters typically have a lifespan of 10-15 years. Factors such as water quality, maintenance schedule and unit design can contribute to a longer or shorter life of each unit.
• Tankless water heaters: Most tankless water heaters have a lifespan of 20 years. They have easily replaceable parts, which can contribute to a longer lifespan.
• Prolonging lifecycle: Regular maintenance can help prolong the lifespan of a tank water heater. Test the pressure release valve to make sure it opens properly. Drain the tank to flush out sediments that have settled to the bottom. Sediment buildup can cause leaks and diminished capacity.

Technology

Companies are increasingly developing technologies to improve the quality and efficiency of their water heaters. Most companies can get funding through the DOE to work on energy-efficient advancements in water heater design.

• Glass-lined tanks: Glass-lined tanks are designed to help protect steel from the corrosive effects of water. Since the implementation of glass-lined tanks, there have many advancements and redesigns to make them even better.
• Controllable units: Some newer water heaters have control panels that allow you to adjust settings based on current needs. A low-temperature setting for people going on vacation is just one example of how being able to control your water heater can save on energy.
• Hybrid units: Hybrid water heaters are part heat pump, part storage tank water heater. Per the DOE, they use around 62 percent less energy than a standard 50-gallon electric water heater.

Gas/propane

Gas water heaters are typically less expensive to operate than electric water heaters because they burn natural gas to heat the water. They tend to cost more upfront, but they make up the cost difference in energy savings within a year. Gas water heaters have a quicker recovery time, about 50-gallons per hour compared to around 14-gallons per hour of an electric water heater. They need to be properly ventilated, allowing exhaust to escape. They can be priced anywhere from $300-$1500 and come in high-efficiency models as well.

Electric

Electric water heaters have a lower price upfront when compared with gas water heaters. There is no need for ventilation with electric water heaters making the cost of installation less expensive. Typically, electric water heaters are similar to gas water heaters in efficiency; however, the cost of electricity makes their operating cost higher. The price of an electric water heater varies, ranging from $300-$2,000.

Tankless

Tankless water heaters work by heating water directly, providing instantaneous and unlimited hot water. This lowers energy costs because you do not pay to keep unused water hot in a storage tank. Tankless systems tend to use more BTUs than high-efficiency tank units when heating water instantaneously. Starting around $1,000, tankless water heaters will cost more than a storage tank water heater up front but they have an estimated lifespan of up to 20 years as opposed to the 10-15 year lifespan of a storage tank system.

Heat pump hybrid

Heat pump hybrid water heaters work by using electricity to pull heat from surrounding air and dumping it, at a higher temperature, into a tank to heat water. They can be two to three times more efficient than a typical electric water heater. If you live in a warmer climate, you can install an air-source heat pump system that draws heat from outside air. Hybrid heat pump water heaters start around $1,000.

Families

The size of water heater you purchase will depend, in large part, on the size of your family. The more family members living under the same roof, the larger the capacity of water heater it will take to provide enough hot water for your home.

Business owners and property managers

Most water heater companies manufacture units for commercial use. Whether you are a property manager needing multiple units for an apartment complex or a restaurant owner needing a hot water system to meet the demands of a full-scale kitchen, there are many options available.

Individual homeowner

If you are an individual homeowner, a smaller capacity water heater should be efficient enough to meet your hot water demands. Less water usage will require a smaller recovery time for your unit, saving on energy costs.

Energy conscious people

For consumers who are more energy conscious, there are many energy-efficient and cost-effective water heater options available. It is important to check for energy star ratings on tank models as well as hybrid and tankless water heaters. These ratings will include a breakdown of figures such as Energy Factor and annual operating cost.

Are heat pump water heaters worth the cost? How it works, how much it’ll cost you and how much you’ll save