Have you ever stepped into the shower expecting warm water only to get icy cold water instead? Or have you ever had your washing machine stop mid-cycle because the hot water ran out? These situations can disrupt your whole day, and they usually indicate that your water heater is not the right size for your home.
How much hot water does your home need? This water heater replacement company in Deerfield, Illinois is going to help you figure that out below.
When the tank is the right size, you can take a hot shower, run the dishwasher and do laundry without running out of hot water. But when the tank is too small, the water can turn cold halfway through your shower — or you may have to wait for it to heat back up before finishing the dishes.
But going too big is not the answer either. A water heater that is larger than necessary will cost more to install. It will also use more energy every month to keep that extra water hot.
Your local water heater replacement company in Deerfield, Illinois can help you find a water heater that will give you enough hot water when you need it without wasting energy.
A big part of sizing your water heater is knowing how many people live in your home. More people mean more hot water use. That is why a water heater replacement company will always ask about the number of people in your household before making a recommendation.
The Department of Energy recommends using a tank water heater’s first-hour rating (FHR) to estimate the amount of hot water the heater can deliver in one hour of heavy use. It is a good way to see if a water heater can keep up with your household’s needs.
Tankless or demand-type systems heat the water only when you need it. They don’t waste energy on keeping a tank of unused water hot.
But tankless does not mean unlimited. Even the best tankless water heaters can only heat a certain amount of water at once. That is why sizing a tankless water heater is just as important as sizing a regular one.
You will need to figure out how many hot water fixtures you will use at the same time and add up their water flow rates. You will also need to know how cold your incoming water is because that affects how much the heater must warm it up.
If you are always running out of hot water, that is a clear sign that your current water heater may be undersized. For tank-style heaters, one way to measure performance is by looking at the first-hour rating. Slow recovery times or increasing energy bills can also be signs that your water heater is working too hard to keep up with demand.
In these cases, a professional water heater replacement company in Deerfield, Illinois can help you find a new system that better meets your current needs.
You can find online calculators to estimate what size water heater you need. But getting the number right is easier with help from a professional.
For tankless systems, a technician will calculate the number of hot water fixtures that will be running at the same time and add up their total water flow. They will also check the temperature of your tap water because colder water takes longer to heat.
For regular tank water heaters, they will check the first-hour rating and compare it to the amount of hot water your household uses in a busy hour.
With all that information, a water heater replacement company can help you choose a system that gives you good performance, a longer lifespan and better energy efficiency.
If you are looking for a new water heater for your home, John J. Cahill Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning is here to help. As the top-rated water heater replacement company in Deerfield, Illinois, we can help you find and install the best system for your needs. Contact us today at 847-864-5225 to get started.