October 4, 2019
Has your hot water heater failed or about to fail? Feeling a little lost on what you need to know about finding an excellent new water heater for your home on Cape Cod? Don’t stress, Hall Oil Gas and Electric is here to help. If the need for a water heater installation is imminent, there are some things you should be thinking about as you consult with your preferred HVAC or plumbing professional. Follow along while our experts detail the top considerations for installing a water heater.
Top Considerations When Installing a New Water Heater:
When Should I Replace My Water Heater?
There are many situations where water heater replacement is the right choice over water heater repair, and the one that will save you more money, stress, and frustration. We recommend replacing your oil water heater when any of the following occurs in your Cape Cod home:
Your conventional water heater’s tank is corroding
If you notice any corrosion on your water heater, this is a serious problem. You must contact the professionals right away. They can determine if repairs will save the system or if you need a replacement. Don’t wait for the water heater to start leaking. If you notice corrosion, reach out to a professional like Hall Oil to help you!
Your water heater is 10 years old or older
Generally, if your water heater is 10 years old or older, you should consider replacing it. If your water heater is in a location of your Cape Cod home that will not cause damage if there is a leak, you can wait until it develops a leak before replacing it, but that really is not the best idea. If your water heater is in a location of the home which will cause significant damage, you should strongly consider replacing it after 10 years.
Your water heater cannot keep up with your demand
If you have a big family, you may run into the situation where the whole family tries to take showers in the morning. Have you ever run out of hot water? This is because your hot water heater couldn’t keep up with the demand in that short period of time. There are water heater solutions out there that are better than others when it comes to high demands of hot water. If you’re constantly running out of water, one of these other water heater solutions might be right for you.
You need water heater repair too frequently
As your unit grows older, it is likely that you could need water heater repair. However, if you need to fix your water heater regularly, it might be a good idea to invest that money in a new water heater system instead. Replacing that old water heater, while initially more expensive, will be more cost effective in the long run. Not to mention, it will help ease the inconvenience of frequent breakdowns.
Types of Oil Hot Water Heaters
Conventional storage water heaters
Also called tank water heaters, these are the ones most homeowners are familiar with. They’re dependable and durable, but otherwise don’t offer anything unique.
Indirect water heaters
An indirect water storage tank that is tied to your oil boiler or furnace. This is a great way to get hot water efficiently.
Tankless water heaters
Tankless water heaters are made up of some piping and a heating element. A water supply line is directly tied to the element, which results in water being fed to your fixtures on-demand. Tankless units are very energy-efficient, long-lived, and some of the most cost-efficient water heaters currently available.
How to Choose a Water Heater that is Right for You
There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to selecting a new water heater. Your ideal means of ensuring you get the right system is by connecting with a trustworthy Cape Cod HVAC company so that they can provide the insight and guidance you need in order to make the right call. As you start going through this process with that HVAC professional, there are some important questions you need to ask. A knowledgeable HVAC company will be thinking about the answers well before you ask them. But, as a homeowner, it’s better to make sure you are on top of what to ask to be sure you get the right water heater for your home.
Some of the most important questions to ask an HVAC company when choosing a water heater include:
What size water heater do I need?
Water heater size is expressed in gallons for conventional units, and G.P.M. (gallons per minute) in tankless systems. To get the G.P.M. of your home, you need to calculate how much water your home consumes per minute with all fixtures running fully open. Are you confused yet? If that doesn’t make any sense to you, this is why it is best to leave these types of home services to a professional!
How much does a water heater cost?
With all of the options available, there is absolutely a water heater that will fit any budget. But it’s wise to settle on a budget before you go shopping so that you don’t overshoot your financial comfort zone. Work with your HVAC technician or company to learn about the water heater models that are available in your price range.
What type of water heater is best for my home?
Tankless oil water heaters are the current favorite for many, but that doesn’t mean they’re for everyone’s home. Like we said before, every situation and every home is different. Discuss with your HVAC company your daily hot water use, how many occupants are in your home, and other details. This will give them what they need to make a recommendation for what works best.
Where should I buy a hot water heater?
You do not need to try to buy a water heater yourself. So, if you don’t know where to buy a hot water heater, that is okay. Reach out to a licensed and insured professional in your area for the purchase and installation of the water heater. The HVAC or plumbing company will guide you through the process, give recommendations based on your situation, then provide the new tank to install in your home.
What is the efficiency of the water heater?
The energy factor, which is the measure used to denote efficiency in a water heater, is determined by dividing the energy a water heater uses by the energy needed to operate the unit. Basically, this is how much power that the unit eats that it actually uses.
Can I DIY a Water Heater Installation?
If you are thinking about installing a water heater yourself, don’t! Only professionals know how to install water heaters in your home. There are a lot of places where DIY can be a good way to learn new and useful skills. Plumbing, electrical, and oil are not the places for this! Beyond the safety risks, of which there are many, botching a water heater installation can lead to severe home damage. Water damage, house fires, electrical problems, and much more are a possibility.
So, can a homeowner install a water heater themselves? It’s just not worth it—you’ll save time and money both by trusting in the skills and capabilities of your local Cape Cod water heater installation contractors. Who installs water heaters on Cape Cod, MA? Hall Oil Gas and Electric, of course.
Hall Oil: Cape Cod’s #1 Water Heater Installers
Hall Oil has been serving the Cape Cod area’s energy needs for over a century. In addition to water heaters, we can also help you with installing and maintaining your heating systems. This includes furnaces and boilers. In addition, we service and install ductless mini-split heat pumps, gas fireplaces, standby generators, and oil tanks. If you need to schedule an annual heating tune-up of your heating solution, look no further than Hall Oil. Since 1918, we have been serving Cape Cod residents with their heating oil delivery and HVAC services. And, we are looking forward to the next 100 years!
Need Heating Oil Delivery to Power Your New Water Heater?
Need a steady supply of heating oil to power your hot water heater or another heating system? Hall Oil provides automatic heating oil delivery to our service area on Cape Cod, MA. We offer several payment plans to meet your individual needs. This includes pre-buy capped prices, pre-buy fixed prices, and 10-month budget plans.
No matter what you need for a heating product, Hall Oil can find a solution to meet your needs. If you have any questions, reach out and ask if we can help. Contact us online below, visit us at our South Dennis office, or call us at 508-398-3831.
