Written on: October 25, 2021
Whether you’re replacing your home’s old water heater or looking for one for the new home you’re building here in the South Florida area, you have a lot to consider and decide.
It’s easy to just go with what you already had—or with what the builder is simply recommending. But if you’re replacing your water heater, chances are a lot has probably changed since you bought your last one. Here’s one example:
If you have an old tank-style water heater that is currently inside a closet, alcove, or other tight space, you may not be able to replace it with a new tank water heater. That’s because the water heaters being manufactured today have increased at least two inches in both height and width because of new water heating efficiency standards put into place by the U.S. Department of Energy just a few years ago.
If this is an issue in your home, you can overcome these space constraints by choosing a propane tankless water heater, a compact unit that hangs right on a wall!
Here are five other things to consider as you shop around for a new water heater for your South Florida home:
Your existing water heater may be electric. And, if you’re building a new home, your builder may want you to get an electric water heater because of its low cost and ease of installation. But now is a good time to consider propane-powered water heaters, which use less energy, cost less to operate and are responsible for fewer emissions than electric water heaters.
The energy and money savings make tankless water heaters a great investment. With a storage tank water heater, the water inside the tank is being heated over and over so it’s hot whenever you need it. Since a tankless water heater only heats water when you turn on your hot water faucets, it can cut your home’s water heating energy costs by as much as 40%! Since water heating makes up about 20% of your home’s energy costs, reducing those expenses with a tankless water heater model can result in some big savings!
Tankless water heaters are also more compact than water heaters with a tank and can be installed where tank water heaters could never fit. Plus, without a tank, you don’t have to worry about the tank itself rusting out and causing water damage. Tankless water heaters also last about twice as long as tank water heaters, giving you an even better return on your investment.
It may be tempting to get a larger water heater, but it could be an expensive decision as you may end up using energy and paying for heating water you don’t need. In a conventional tank-style heater, capacity is the size of the tank combined with how long it takes to heat.
With tankless heaters, capacity is determined by flow rate, which means how much water can be heated instantly.
Energy efficiency is the sum of many factors like the water heater’s efficiency rating, proper sizing, proper installation and other factors such as a conventional tank-style water heater’s heat loss rate.
There is more to the cost of a new water heater than its purchase price. The total cost of ownership also includes the life expectancy of the water heater, fuel costs and other factors. For example, propane tankless water heaters have a higher up-front purchase price. But you could end up having a lower total cost of ownership because of lower fuel costs and a longer life expectancy than a conventional tank water heater.
Feel free to get in touch with us for advice and friendly assistance as you move toward greater comfort and savings with a new water heater. We even offer FREE, no-obligation estimates!
Pico Propane is known throughout Greater Miami and Ft. Lauderdale for our dependable propane delivery, the outstanding selection of propane and gas appliances we offer at our showroom, our ability to easily work with contractors to install those appliances, our commercial propane services and more!