Pratt Plumbing, your Amarillo TX area Plumbing Company

Selecting a water heater for a new home, or replacing or repairing an existing water heater, can be a very stressful decision if you do not know the information important in your unit selection. It is also important to be aware of the various types of water heaters on the market; each individual unit may have positive and negative characteristics depending on what you’re looking for. The important thing is finding the water heater for your home that best suits your family’s needs. Here at Pratt Plumbing, we value our customer’s comfort and convenience in their everyday lives. Having hot water on demand when you need it the most is important and we pride ourselves in our Water Heater Services (link: http://www.prattplumbing.net/water-heaters.html). Whether you are looking for an energy efficient unit or wish to pay more now in order to save in the long run, your trusted Amarillo area plumbing company, while also offering many other respected and recognized Plumbing Services to the community, is the company to assist you with all of your water heater installation and repair needs.

Types of water heaters:

  • Tank Water Heaters
  • Hybrid Electric Heaters
  • Solar Water Heaters
  • Tankless Water Heaters

There are two key points to consider when choosing a water heater:  FHR (first-hour rate) and unit’s fuel’s type. FHR is the number of gallons of hot water that can be produced in the first hour. This is important to know to avoid lack of hot water in times when it is most needed. One major decision when selecting a water heater unit is gas or electric. There are many benefits to having both. Our experienced, licensed technicians at Pratt Plumbing want you to be aware of what each water heater performance entails to figure out the best possible fit for your home. To learn about various customer oriented service agreements we offer, click Service Agreements.

Gas versus Electric:

There are benefits to choosing either a gas or electric water heater:

GAS

ELECTRIC

-natural gas rates are cheaper than electric rates -less expensive to purchase and install
-they heat faster -some gas heaters need to be plugged into electrical outlets
-can use  smaller tank, save   space -more energy efficient
-save more in long-term utility bills  

 

IF YOU’RE REPLACING AN EXISITING WATER HEATER:

It is least expensive to choose a new model that uses the same fuel:  Natural gas, propane, oil or electricity – it minimizes installation costs and can make installation easier!

Tank Water Heaters

Storage tank water heaters are the most popular type.  They heat water in a tank where it is stored until needed.  They are the least expensive unit to buy and install with an average life-span of 10 years for electric models and 7 years for gas models; it is usually around this time that they begin to leak and are in need of repairs or replacement. Gas units are more expensive than electric units based on installation and labor costs but they are only about of a third of the cost to operate. Tank size can vary based on the needs of your family and home. The ideal size for a 3-4 person family is a 50 gallon tank.

The biggest problem with tank water heaters, gas and electric, are tank leaks and flooding but there are things you can do in your own home to prevent damages. By installing a flood pan or a flood-alerting device, you can actively minimize damages that can potentially occur from tank water heaters.

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Hybrid Electric Water Heaters

This type is the newest and most energy efficient using less than half as much electricity. It is innovative because it is a conventional electric storage heater paired with a heat pump. Its purpose is to extract heat from the surrounding air and use that heat to help warm up your water, although water does tend to heat slower. This electric-pump version is ideal for smaller homes and when you are in need of more hot water, it shifts modes and runs on all-electric to ensure you that your water is the temperature you require. This type may cost more than electric-only models, however, payback time is short and the installation is similar. This water heater is a great choice for all-electric homes.

Some problems one may have with this type of unit is that they require a lot of space; up to seven feet from floor to ceiling and much more for all of its components.  Hybrid heaters also tend to be noisier than tank heaters, can steal some of your heated air when temperatures are lower and can exhaust cool air.

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Solar Water Heaters

Solar water heaters have extremely high efficiency rates and their cost effectiveness is most heavily weighted on the costs of your local fuel. They are pricey to install and purchase but do offer many money-saving options in order to make up for the initial costs. Solar water heaters last indefinitely and can always be repaired. They are great in the summer but have a tendency to struggle heating water over spans of cloudy days which is why they are often paired with another small water heater to use as a backup. A solar water heater’s purchase is based on what you are hoping to get out of it and what you are willing to put into to get it.

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Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless heaters are great at saving energy and space. They don’t heat water until it is needed (also called an on-demand water heater) and they don’t require a storage tank, which can save a significant portion of area in your home. These units last longer than tank-style water heaters and consumers are often given longer warranties as well. It is possible to replace an old water heater with a tankless unit, however, it is more cost-effective in new construction. Higher initial prices and installation should be expected but their long-life expectancy and ease of repair if any problems arise make it worth the extra money.

*Many water heaters also qualify for energy or tax credits. Ask Pratt Plumbing about money-saving ways to enjoy hot water today!

At Pratt Plumbing, Our Team ( link to: http://www.prattplumbing.net/plumbers.html ) values your needs as not only a client, but an individual family unit, which is why we understand the importance of knowing your options in order to make your home the best possible living environment. If you want to learn more about our Residential Plumbing Services CommercialPlumbing Services, or would like to Schedule a Service Appointment, Contact Pratt Plumbing! Providing only the best prices, satisfaction and service for your local Water Heater Services  and plumbing needs.

Contact Us:  Your experienced, trusted Amarillo TX area plumbing experts today!

(806) 373-7866

 

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