How To Plan For A New Water Heater Installation | Richardson, TX
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Thinking about installing a new water heater in your Richardson, TX home? Water heater installation is not something that you want to take lightly as its benefits are far-reaching if you make the right choice. It is also not something that you want to try on your own because water heater installation is one of the largest factors that determines the eventual lifespan of your water heater. These are just a few of the many things that you need to consider if you will soon be investing in a new water heater.
Unsure of how to proceed? So are a lot of people. Replacing a water heater is thankfully not something that most people have to deal with more than a handful of times throughout their lifespan. Therefore, it is understandable if you aren’t quite sure how to proceed with the process from choosing a model to choosing an installation company to handle the task. Here are a few things that you want to consider before proceeding with water heater installation to ensure that you protect your investment. After all, water heater replacement is not a cheap process, so you want to make sure that you get the most value for your buck.
DIY Water Heater Installation vs Plumber Installation
The very first thing you need to consider is whether or not you are going to hire a professional plumbing company in Richardson, TX to handle your water heater installation or handle it on your own. In 99% of cases, it is a better idea to let a professional handle the installation of a new water heater. There are a handful of reasons for this, but the strongest reason is the simple fact that accurate water heater installation heavily determines the lifespan of your unit. It also plays a large role in the overall energy efficiency of your unit. Therefore, while you may think that you are saving a few dollars, in the long run, you could actually spend much more.
In addition, it is important to remember that a lot of water heaters are powered by natural gas, and if you are not properly trained or certified to handle natural gas hookups this is not something that you want to attempt to handle on your own. You could be putting your own safety and the safety of those in your home in question by attempting to install a water heater on your own. With that in mind, the simplest choice may be the best choice.
Tankless Water Heater vs Standard Water Heater
The second thing you need to consider before you can actually start installation is whether you are going to opt for a tankless unit or a standard water heater. There are benefits of going with both, but you only need to choose one or the other for your home, so before opting for a one-to-one replacement, you may want to stop for a minute and consider whether or not the time to upgrade is now.
Tankless water heaters vary from standard water heaters because like the name implies, they do not have a tank. Instead, they are generally flat squares that mount against the wall and feature an intricate coil system that heats water on-demand as it flows through the coils. This means that hot water is only heated when you actually need it instead of sitting in a heated tank for hours. The end result is less water waste and less energy waste. It also means that you don’t need to worry about hot water running out since it can be heated as needed. This can all add up to equal a lot worth thinking about.
However, you need to be aware that there are some downsides to tankless water heaters as well which is why some people decide to stick with standard water heaters. To start, they are more expensive up front, so that alone may not make them an option for some people. Of course, when you consider the fact that they last twice as long as a standard option the upfront costs become much more affordable to those who can budget for them. Second, while tankless water heaters may be able to heat on demand, they are only able to produce a maximum amount of water at one time.
Whereas a standard water tank can split water between a washing machine, shower, and dishwasher so long as there are enough stored gallons, a tankless water heater can only produce so much water through the coils at one time. Therefore, if you frequently run several appliances in your home at one time it may not be able to keep up leading to a less than satisfactory experience. These are all factors that you need to keep in mind if it is time for water heater installation before choosing one or the other.
How to Pick the Right Water Heater Model
Finally, now that you know whether you want a tankless model or a traditional water heater, you have to choose one before you can schedule a water heater installation. The best way to do this is by calling and talking to a few companies that handle the installation. Some companies only work with certain models that they purchase from manufacturers directly, while others will install a unit that you choose and purchase from an alternative location.
One benefit of letting the plumbing company handle the model choice is they will size it to fit your household needs by factoring in your annual water consumption and the makeup of your home (how many bathrooms, residents, etc). For people who just want to get the process over as quickly as possible, allowing the plumber to take over can be a real perk of working with a professional.
Ready to schedule a water heater installation in Richardson, TX? Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of North Dallas today to talk to a plumber about your water heater needs.
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