It is no brainer that hot water heaters are a big convenience, as they offer you hot water when required. However, the real deal is how to choose a water heater that fits your needs, specifications, and budget. The choices available out there might baffle you. Therefore, we have put together a list of essential things that you need to consider while buying a water heater. The idea here is to help you make informed decisions.

Consider fuel type
While selecting a new water heater for your home, consider the fuel type or the energy source. The reason behind this is the impact that the fuel choice has on the annual operation cost, size, and energy efficiency of the appliance. Moreover, the fuel choice you make should be in accordance with the availability of the fuel in your area. The fuel or energy source options available for water heaters include electricity, fuel oil, natural gas, propane, solar energy, and geothermal energy.

Different types of water heaters
Being aware of different types of hot water heaters is imperative for making an informed decision as well. There are conventional water heaters that come with storage tanks and also tank-less water heaters that heat water without using storage tanks. As far as advanced water heating systems are concerned, you can choose from heat pump water heaters, solar heaters, and more.

Space
While purchasing a water heater for your home, you need to consider the space availability as well. As conventional water heaters with water tanks are big and bulky, their installation takes up a good deal of space. On the other hand, you require significantly less space to install compact tank-less water heaters.

Energy efficiency
Energy efficiency is a major factor that you are supposed to consider while buying a new water heater for your home. The higher the energy efficiency of the appliance, the lower would be your expense in the long run in terms of electricity bills. If compared to water heaters with storage tanks, tank-less water heaters are much more energy-efficient. Traditional water heaters consume more energy to heat up water stored in the tank, whereas tank-less heaters consume energy only when the heater is on. There is no denying the fact that tank-less water heaters are expensive in comparison to water heaters with tanks. However, considering the monetary and environmental benefits of these water heaters, spending a little extra on them seems to be a prudent decision.

Durability
Durability is a great concern while buying any new appliance and a water heater is no exception. Tank-less water heaters are more durable than those with tanks, as the latter are subject to decay. Tank-less water heaters, such as Home Depot water heaters, easily last up to 20 years, compared to the lifespan of 10 to 12 years of water heaters with tanks. Additionally, repairing tank-less water heaters is convenient, as they come with easily replaceable parts. This again is in sheer contrast to the traditional water heaters with tanks.