Upgrades are very necessary when it comes to the plumbing of your home. Water heaters specifically may seem like an easy buy when you hear certain specifications, however, there is a lot of consideration that you need to make when it comes to them. When it comes to Reliance water heaters, we are here to provide you with all the necessary things to look out for in case you are looking to buy one, and how it can help you out.
Type of Water Heater
Reliance can provide you with three different types of water heaters, all of which have their specific perks and means of working. Let us dive into them, and see what they are:
Tank Water Heaters
Tank water heaters are the traditional water heaters that have been used for generations, and are still quite popular to this day. The water heater tank is installed inside or outside your home making sure that a sufficient amount of water is stored for when you need it.
The benefit of this mechanic is that you will always have hot water when you need it, as long as you have the water heater turned on beforehand. Overtime, it will run out, but if the specifications meet your needs, then you will be fine.
Tankless Water Heaters
You can guess it from the name, these work without tanks! Without tanks to store your hot water, how will you get a sufficient amount when needed? Well, they work as soon as you turn them on, and the heating element or gas burner built in will immediately churn the cold water into hot water.
The obvious benefit with these models is that you do not need to plan ahead if you can not, and will still be provided with the necessary amount of hot water. What’s great is that some models are built to provide you with a plethora of benefits, such as temperature settings and remote control mechanics.
Point of Use Water Heaters
Point of use water heaters are for you if you have very limited hot water needs. They also provide instantaneous hot water to you like the tankless models. You have to be careful not to overload these types of water heaters, since they could provide you with lower temperature of hot water or in general less hot water than intended.
Different Power Mechanisms for Water Heaters
Now that you know the different types of water heaters, let us look into the different types of mechanisms placed into these machines which help them work. This is a very important factor to consider, since you will have to know what type of resource you are willing to pay for, or burn in order to produce the hot water.
Natural Gas or Propane Water Heaters
Found in both tank and tankless models, these use gas burners built into the water heater mechanism to heat the water coming in. While they are good at providing you hot water, they are in general slower than the other mechanism placed into water heaters.
Gas burners produce heat within the mechanism which in turn heats the metals surrounding it. The heat then transfers from these metals on to the water passing it, which is then stored or passed straight to the end point.
Georgia is one of the few US states where natural gas is deregulated. For example, consumers can compare natural gas rates in Atlanta to find the best supplier and price. That can help cut utility bills for water, heat, and cooking.
Electric Burning Element
These are also present in both tank and tankless models, and instead of using natural gas or propane, use electricity in order to produce the heat. The mechanism is a bit similar but the dynamics of the materials inside the water heater are different. The electricity produces heat in the heating element, which then heats the water around it. The water is then passed towards the desired place.
Electricity is much faster and more efficient when compared to gas power sources, which is making these models grow in popularity as time passes. Most water heaters consume three kilowatts of energy per hour of usage, which is equivalent to 0.36 cents. They have a temperature control function that automatically cuts off the electricity to the heating element upon reaching the set temperature.
Making Your Choice Easy
If all of these requirements seem a bit too much to do at once, then Reliance can help make your life a bit easier. Find the Reliance product selector on their site, and use this tool to help find yourself the perfect water heater without having to feel overwhelmed.
FAQ
Is Reliance water heater a good brand?
A.Reliance has been around for a long time and the brand has made its name as one of the best water heater brands out there. Not only do you get good quality for your money, but you also receive many benefits and warranties to help reassure you of your choice. The customer service delivered by their company also helps you with any queries and confusions you may have. What seals the deal for many is the many conveniences that their water heaters provide.
How do I pick the best water heater?
A. Picking up the best water heater for yourself requires deliberation on a few different factors:
1. Tank or tankless water heater
2. Size of the water heater
3. How much it costs, and the costs of using and maintaining it
4. Energy efficiency
How do I know what size water heater I need?
A. If you want a tank water heater, then there is a rough estimate for the size of the tank vs the number of people it can work for. 1-2 people can use 23 to 36 gallon tanks. 2 to 4 can use 36 to 46 gallon tanks. This is the rough estimate, and for the number of people you add on, just add another 10 gallons to your water heater tank. You might even need a 50 gallon water heater as well.
What is the temperature setting for a water heater?
When using a water heater, setting the temperature at 120 degrees is advisable. This temperature setting promotes energy efficiency and comfortable and safe water, reducing the risk of scalding. If your water heating has A, B, or C settings, choose A for 120 degrees, B for 130 degrees, and C for 140 degrees.
What are the energy-savings tips when using a water heater?
Here are some helpful energy-saving tips when using a water heater:
- Switch off the water heater after use.
- Lower the thermostat to avoid overheating the water.
- Insulate the water pipes.
- Choose a new water heater with energy-saving features to replace an old and malfunctioning one.
- Use cold water whenever possible.
The Takeaway
Hopefully you have managed to get all the necessary information for water heaters to help you make your decision. Overall, there are a lot of things to consider, but you can find the best Reliance water heaters to help fulfill all those needs. Good luck finding your choice!