Capacity. Do not buy a heater larger than you need. Although some consumers base their purchase on the size of the storage tank, the peak hour demand (or qualifying first time, FHR) is actually more important. The FHR is the measure of how much hot water the heater will deliver in an hour and is required by law to appear on the Energy Guide label. Your Paramount Home Services Technician will perform a capacity test to determine the right size water heater for your home.

Efficiency. The energy efficiency of a storage water heater is indicated by its “Energy Factor” (EF). The higher the EF, the more efficient the water heater. Gas water heaters have an EF between 0.50 and 0.60, with some high-efficiency models around 0.80. Other features to look for are tanks with at least 1.5 inches of foam insulation and energy efficiency ratings shown on the Energy Guide labels.

Cost. It may be tempting to look for a water heater that is inexpensive and ignore the operating cost. This is a poor strategy. Often the least expensive water heaters are the most expensive to operate. A high-efficiency water heater may cost a little more initially, but reduced operating costs will more than make up for the higher outlay. Check the Energy Guide label to help choose an energy thrifty heater.