5 Best Water Heaters

Buying Guide for Best Water Heaters

A water heater is an essential household item, especially for those who live in cold weather. In chilling winters, a warm, relaxing bath can be a lifesaver. That’s where the water heater comes in. So, you must have a question in your mind that which water heater will be best for you and other basic questions.

We have tried to cover everything in this article for the buying guide for water heaters. It will surely answer all your queries about water heaters, and it will be easy for you to pick the best water heater according to your needs.

How does the water heater work?

A normal electrical water heater works on a simple principle. The unit of heating is connected to a circuit. The current passes through an electrical resistance heating element that is fixed in the middle of the tank to warm up the water.

The solar water heaters, works on the process of thermosyphon and forced circulation. It uses solar energy directly from the sun and heats up the water up to 50-70 degrees Celsius. A solar collector is the one that collects the sun’s radiation and turns it into heat. The best water heater that works with solar energy is the one that uses evacuated tube technology as it is the most energy-efficient and cost-effective.

Types of some best water heater

Before buying a water heater, you should know the types of water heaters that are available in the market so that you can get more options. If you have options, you can choose the right one according to convenience.

1. Storage water heater

Storage water heaters are the most commonly used water heaters. It is commonly used for household purposes. As the name says, there is a storage tank installed inside the heater, so that it can store hot water for a period of time. The storage capacity may vary, depending upon the model, but generally, it comes with 6 liters and above, so yes, they are big in size and take up some space.

2. Solar water heater

Solar water heaters are environment friendly and also cost-effective as it collects energy directly from the sun to generate hot water. Because the system is solar-powered, it can be used almost in any climate. Traditional water heaters use your household energy while solar water heaters collect energy from the sun so it does not have to depend upon the electricity grid. Solar water heaters are one of the best water heaters that are available.

3. Instant water heater

An instant water heater heats water very quickly as they are high powered appliances. They are small in size, so they are more suitable for smaller bathrooms and kitchens. They usually come in 1 to 3 liters of capacity. As they come with no storage, you have to switch on before use and switch off immediately after use. For an individual or a small family, it is the best water heater option. The electricity consumption is high in this as it heats the water instantly, as compared to the storage water heater.

4. Gas water heater

Gas water heaters run on LPG. They need gas pipes/cylinders to heat water. They are highly cost-effective as they don’t need electricity to heat water. Gas water heaters are also cheaper to operate as compared to an electric one.These water heaters are, however, a bit dangerous.

5. Immersion heater rod

Using a heater rod is a very convenient and useful method of heating water. Due to its compact size, it is very easy to accommodate storing places. It is designed to heat water quickly, and it also has an indicator light for safe operations. It also has a water level indicator for safety.

Factors to consider while choosing the best water heater

Buying a new water heater is no difficult task. You can get it online or also from the market. However, before buying a new water heater, there are a few factors that you should consider.

1. Size of the family

The most important thing before buying a new water heater is to consider the size of the family and then select the right one according to your requirements. You can decide the capacity of your water heater by getting a rough idea of your daily water requirement. Given below is a rough idea of the capacities required for average use.

2. Capacity Criteria

The capacity of a water heater completely depends on your family size and requirements. For instance, a 6-10 litres water heater is sufficient for a bathroom for two people. However, it is better to buy a 15L geyser as it ensures hot water throughout your shower. If you are a big family, you should buy a 25L to 30L capacity water heater.

3. Check ratings

It is very important to check the energy rating of the appliance that you are going to purchase. The energy rating determines the efficiency of appliances. So, when you check the reviews for your water heater, make sure to check the energy rating also. The EF (energy factor) is one of the most important factors to consider. It could be as low as 0.2 for gas water heaters and as high as 2 for electric water heaters. So, if you want to buy the best water heater, do check ratings.

4. Life expectancy

Water heaters are meant to be used for the long term. You don’t want it to replace after a couple of years. So, look for the brand which has a high reputation in the market over the years. Many good brands can give a guarantee of the appliance for a few years. Some good brands are Bajaj, Faber, AO Smith, and others.

5. After-sales service

It is also one of the important factors. Make sure the water heater you are looking for also comes with after-sales service. Water heaters must be taken care of and maintained from time to time so it is very important to have a good after-sales service in case the water heater gets any damage.

6. Recovery rate

It is crucial to look at the recovery rate no matter what brand of water heater you are buying. Go for a unit with a fast recovery rate for a large supply of water.

7. Energy efficient

Energy-efficient appliances are cost-efficient and also environment friendly. It is a great choice if you go for an energy-efficient water heater as it will consume less energy. You can look for the star rating of the water heater. The more the star rating, the more the energy-efficient product.

8. Working with a plumber

Only experienced plumbers can install the water heater properly. Many problems come because of the poor installation of the water heater. Not every plumber has the experience to install a water heater. So, make sure to get the right plumber for the installation.In most cases, the companies send their own people for installation.

9. Stylish

Yes, water heaters can be stylish. There are many good-looking water heaters available in the market which can do their job efficiently and also ups the ambience of your bathroom. So, you can check different styles of water heaters and then decide to buy the one which suits you perfectly for you.

10. Role of brands

If you are planning to buy an electric water heater then make sure you buy a branded one as they are the best water heaters because branded water heater offers you safety, guarantee and good customer support services, whereas unbranded water heater are unsafe and they do not provide any customer support services.

If you look at unbranded water heaters from a price perspective, you will find it cheap as compared to branded water heaters, however unbranded water heaters do not meet the required standard and they are not safe to use.

Choose a water heater that discloses what their inner tank is made of because that is the main part of the water heater. The best water heater companies always disclose this information.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Are water heaters dangerous?
A. Yes, water heaters can be dangerous if not used properly. If the safety features are not well protected, then it could be dangerous to use that water heater.

Q. How do I know I need a new water heater?
A. You can try to look for symptoms like if you are not getting a steady and reliable supply of hot water, the temperature may fluctuate, the water quality is poor or if the water is leaking around the water heater, then it is time for you to change it, and buy best water heater according to your need.

Q. Which is the best water heater? Tankless or a regular water heater?
A. A regular water heater has a tank that holds the hot water in it. Once you set the temperature, the tank will keep the water at that same temperature that is normally 50-70 degrees Celsius. So, when you use the hot water, it will empty the tank eventually, and then it will refill the tank with cold water, and you have to wait for the water to heat up again.
Whereas the tankless water heater does not have a tank, it heats up the water on demand, so there is no limit of hot water that you can use. As it does not have a tank to keep the water warm, it uses much less energy than a traditional one, and also, it takes less space. However, it is more expensive than a regular water heater at the time of initial purchase.

Q. How do I maintain my water heater?
A. It is recommended to drain the water heater tank annually to minimize the build-up of sediment at the bottom of the tank. You should also consider the general inspection by a professional from time to time.For the tankless water heater, make sure to clean it every month, and also, the unit should be flushed regularly with a glycol solution. It should also be serviced every year by a trained professional.