Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Water Heater Price: How Much Should You Pay?

By Ann Triune


What is a reasonable water heater price? This isn't so easy to answer. Different units and models have large differences in their prices. Should you just base your decision on the price alone? Are there other factors besides the price that you should consider? Here are some tips for you to follow to find the best deals.

Read Reviews

Your first step is not to compare models but to read about heaters. This does not mean you have to know everything about heaters. You just need some beginner's information that can give you some idea about heaters in general. Knowing some basic facts can help you understand reviews and product information better.

There are many different review sites. The ones you should check are the well-known independent review sites. Depending on the site you are on, you can get some information about various costs per model, installation costs and product reviews. These review sites are actually one stop sites where you can compare the prices and features. You can also benefit from various reviews from experts, amateurs and average consumers like you.

Consider Cost of Operation

There is more to a water heater price than the purchase cost. You may not know that a seemingly cheap heater may actually cost more in the long run. This is because it may cost a lot to operate it. You end up spending more than what you saved when you bought it. If you want to have long term savings on cost, then look for a unit with a high energy factor. This is found on the energy guide or label found on the unit. A high energy factor of around 0.8-2 would mean that the unit is efficient in using energy. This means less energy waste and cost for you.

Pick the Right Type

Most of us are familiar with heaters with tanks. These are usually the cheapest. The oldest models can cost only more or less $100. More expensive models such as the solar, tankless and heat pump types can cost from a couple of hundred dollars to above $1000. The cheaper ones however are often more costly to operate.

One factor that determines the cots of operation is the energy loss. Tanks have heaters that continue to heat the water. Even if no one turns on the tap, the water inside will remain warm. The water that stays unused for some time will eventually lead to a waste of energy. You end up paying for this energy waste. Those without tanks are an alternative option. These types only produce heated water when needed.

Conserve Energy

Not everyone has the money for an expensive energy saving heater. If you can't afford it yet, there are ways for you to cut the operational cost on your old tank heater. You could for instance, attach insulation on your pipes and tanks. With proper insulation you limit the amount of energy wasted. This is also a good way of helping conserve limited energy and resources.

The water heater price of a good unit may seem much. Investing in a costly heater however may eventually help you save on your energy bills.

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