When it’s time to upgrade your water heater to a newer model, you want to make a smart selection. Choosing an energy-efficient water heater will go a long way toward lowering your water and energy costs over the life of the unit.
The thing is, a lot more goes into water heater efficiency than you may realize. You can keep reading to learn more about water heater efficiency ratings, as well as choosing the model that works best for your home and family. When you’re ready, you can give our team a call for a water heater installation in Blue Ridge, VA. We can review all of your options with you and help you make the best choice to fit your needs.
Water Heater Efficiency
UEF is an abbreviation for Uniform Efficiency Factor, the rating system for water heaters. UEF factors in the amount of water used and the energy required to heat the water. Each water heater has a yellow tag with this rating listed along with other pertinent information about the water heater. It’s a great way to compare similar water heaters to one another and make an educated decision.
UEF is used for different rating categories (also called bins) based on the size and usage. Keep in mind that you need to compare water heaters together that fall into the same bin category:
- Small
- Low
- Medium
- High
Gas or Electric
After considering water heater efficiency ratings, you have to decide whether you want a gas or electric water heater. This decision may come down to whether or not you have the availability for gas service.
You also have to consider that gas water heaters tend to have a little bit of a shorter lifespan compared to electric models. Be sure that you are comparing efficiency ratings within the same type of water heater. You don’t want to compare an efficiency rating for an electric water heater to that of a gas water heater since they operate very differently.
Tank or Tankless
You also have to consider whether you want a traditional tank water heater or a tankless water heater. Tankless models may be more expensive to install, but they are also known to be more energy efficient. You may save money on your monthly water and energy costs by investing in a tankless water heater.
Look for the ENERGY STAR© Rating
Since energy ratings on water heaters can be a little confusing, we encourage you to look for the energy star rating. ENERGY STAR is a system that helps take all of the different factors into consideration to come up with the best overall water heater efficiency. If you choose an ENERGY STAR water heater, you can know that you’re getting a water heater that is efficient for energy use but also helps to conserve water.
We can help you make the best choice for water heater installation. Rely on the experts at W.C. Butler Heating and Air Conditioning and schedule an appointment today.