6 Key Factors to consider when buying a Storage Water Heater

On a chilly winter morning, there would hardly be any of us who would enjoy the transition from a warm bed to a cold shower. The thought is enough to send shivers down our spines.  Even for splashing water on our faces or washing our hands, warm water is preferable to the cold faucet water. Even when the weather is pleasant, one still prefers the option of a warm shower. It is logical for all households to have a water heater or geyser, as they are popularly known.

As the name suggests, a storage water heater is a domestic water heating appliance that uses a storage tank to maximise heating capacity and provide instantaneous delivery of hot water. This is done by converting energy to heat and transferring that heat to water. It is connected to an inlet water supply pipe and has an outgoing water pipe that supplies hot water to faucets and appliances.

Whether you are buying a new home, remodelling, or even replacing an old and worn out appliance, you need to consider multiple factors when buying a storage water heater. Look for features and unique advantages that would suit your specific needs.

Capacity

Your household usage of hot water would determine the capacity requirement in a water heater. For a single person or a nuclear family, you should consider the ones with smaller tanks. Another factor to consider is the usage. Does it include both the kitchen as well as the bathroom? Or would you instal individual heaters in each location? For areas with extreme winters, you need to consider larger capacity water heaters.

Quality of the Tank and Heating Element

If you live in an area where you receive hard water, you may want to pay special attention to the tank and the heating element material. Both come in direct contact with water, and hard water which has a high content of calcium and magnesium can cause a build-up or scaling. This would lead to decreased efficiency, corrosion, and shorter lifespan of the heater. Look for corrosion resistant water heaters for a reliable, efficient and long-lasting home appliance.

Safety Features

While water heaters are safe to use, one must be aware of the risks and the safety features that are in-built in a storage water heater. Check for the safety valve which opens to relieve pressure if either the pressure or the temperature gets too high. This prevents the water heater from blowing up if something goes wrong.

Energy Consumption

Installing a water heater should not increase your power bills significantly. Electricity consumption of water heaters depends on multiple factors. Firstly, the volume of water used. The more hot water used, the more electricity it will consume. Another aspect to consider is the temperature of the input water. Places that are colder would require more heating than a home located in a warmer climate. Another consideration is the preference of temperature by users. The thermostat temperature is mostly set to about 60° C for most water heaters. Some heaters have an external control to change this setting. Another point to consider is standing loss. Standing Loss is heat lost through the surface of the water heater due to non-usage of already heated water.

Installation Area

The wall or floor space required is considerable and needs to be considered when buying this appliance.  You need a designated spot with easy connectivity to the input and outlets faucets and easily accessible for maintenance and repairs.

Installation in a High-Rise Building

For high-rise buildings, consider rated pressure more than 6 bars. The water heater must have a pressure control valve which releases over pressured water to avoid tank damage. Check for the number of years warranty on the inner tank, higher the number indicates high quality material and strength used.

Overall, it is not rocket science when you buy a storage water heater, but, there are definitely some considerations to be taken into account. Check out the reliable and well-designed range at Finolex.