We recommend that you have a professional plumber install your water heater and strap it correctly.
When we see car ads on television, they’re always talking about MPG, or miles per gallon, that you can get from the vehicle. It’s certainly something that’s near and dear to our hearts here in car-obsessed Southern California—with little to no public transport, we are very attached to our cars.
But we’re also concerned about high energy bills, especially now in the summer, when we’re running our air conditioners more than ever! But did you know that 25% of each dollar spent on energy in our home goes to heat water? Think about it: Even in the summer, we use the dishwasher, take showers, wash clothes….all of that takes hot water.
So when you purchase a hot water heater, this 25% number should be at top of mind. Why? Because your average hot water heater lasts 13 years, which means the decision you make on that purchase is very important. Even if your new water heater just saves you $1 a month in energy costs, you’ll save over $150 in its lifetime. Wouldn’t you want one that saves you more?
Now, a tankless water heater might be the way to go, and to find out more about tankless water heaters, read our previous blog. But if you have a large family or a big property, tankless water heaters are probably not the right choice for you. Now your decision is about solar hot water heaters (which we’ll talk about later), or an electric vs. gas hot water heater.
If you live in California, you should definitely look most closely at a gas hot water heater, as it costs three times more to heat the same amount of water with electricity as it does with gas. Check to make sure that you have natural gas set up in your home, perhaps for your stove or furnace. Perhaps you just have an electrical outlet at the hot water heater, and no gas line running to it. We can easily help you get a gas line run to your hot water heater if you decide that gas is the most economical way to go.
Do you have any further questions about hot water heaters and energy conservation? Please give us a call and we’ll do all we can to help. If you’re considering a new hot water heater because you’re planning on a remodel, please contact us for an estimate on the remodel—we’re not just water and fire restoration experts, we’re also licensed and bonded contractors with years of experience in residential construction and remodeling. Call now: (877) 732-8471