Looking Beyond Water Heater Prices When Making A Buying Decision
Comparing water heater prices is one of the most important things you do before taking the plunge in buying a new water heater. Nowadays, there are water heaters available that are cheap and inexpensive. However, when choosing a water heater, you mustn’t limit yourself to price. You have to consider quality and efficiency. Just by choosing the right water heater, you can actually cut back on a lot of money in the long run.
What is the first step in buying a water heater?
The first thing you should do is identify what type of water heater you want to buy. Water heaters are either electric or gas-fueled. A small percentage of water heaters also use kerosene, propane and oil. There are also some that use wood heat or solar panels to heat water.
What type of water heater is more affordable?
If you compare water heater prices of the major types of water heaters (electric and gas-fueled), you will find out that electric water heaters are less costly. Gas-fueled water heaters tend to be more expensive and can cost you about $50-$100 more than the electric water heater.
Does this mean I should get an electric water heater?
Yes, just by looking at that, you might as well be investing into electric water heaters. However, if you look beyond the price tag and see the investment you’ll be making in the long run, you would be reconsidering your decision.
What does that mean?
For every million Btus of heat produced, the average dollar cost of natural gas was found to be at $15.13 while electricity was found to be at $27.26. This is according to the 2005 data provided by the Department of Energy. This shows natural gas is the cheapest and most convenient fuel used for water heaters.
So even if gas-fueled water heaters cost more than an electric water, just think about how much you can actually save in the long run by using natural gas fuel.
What can I do if I still want an electric water heater?
If you opt for buying an electric water heater but you’re still tempted by the economical advantages of using a gas-fueled water heater, you can have your water heater converted. You can remove the electric heating element in your water heater and turn it into a storage tank. You can then mount a gas-fired heating unit and attach it to your existing water tank using two inch water lines. You can be experiencing up to three times the heating capacity of a regular electric water heater with this type of water heating system.
As a whole, before taking the plunge in buying a new water heater, look beyond water heater prices. Find out what type of water heater is fit for your needs and budget. Although there are several water heaters that are inexpensive, always keep in mind that quality, efficiency, and energy consumption rate are equally important factors to consider too.
