Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Look Beyond Water Heater Prices when Buying a New Water Heater

By Ann Triune

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 should I do first 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.

Which type of water heater is less expensive?

If you compare the different water heater prices of electric and gas-fueled water heaters, you will see that gas-fueled water heaters are more expensive. A 40 gallon electric water heater can cost you about $319.99 while a 40 gallon gas-fueled water heater can amount up to $419.99.

Does this mean I should get an electric water heater?

By just looking at the price tag, it wouldn't be hard to be convinced with buying an electric water heater. However, if you really want to save up on your investments in the long run, you have to reconsider your decision and weigh other factors as well.

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 like to purchase 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.

So if you plan to buy a water heater in the near future, do more than just compare water heater prices. Do some research on what type of water heater is suited to your needs and your budget. There are several brands available that offer affordable water heaters, but always keep in mind to look beyond the price tag and assess quality, efficiency, and energy consumption rate. - 16955

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