Ratings of Residential Water Heaters
Paying attention to the ratings of residential water heaters will help you to make the best buying decision when you are in the market for a new water heater. Knowing what these ratings mean is important, as this information can help you to select a model that will save you money over time.
Once you are armed with the knowledge of how to shop for a water heater for your home, you can ensure that you get the best deal that provides the greatest possible savings for the life of the appliance.
You may have noticed the yellow EnergyGuide sticker that is displayed on water heaters in the store. The inclusion of this sticker, as well as the information it contains, is mandated by the federal government so that consumers can make informed choices. However, even if you shop online, you will find the same information that is contained on this sticker.
Ratings of residential water heaters are just part of the information you will find on the EnergyGuide sticker. One of these is the efficiency factor (EF). This rating is often expressed as a percentage so the closer the number is to 100%, the more efficient the water heater is.
The first hour rating (FHR) tells consumers how many gallons of hot water the tank can supply during the first hour of operation. This number actually displays the number of gallons available in the tank plus the number of gallons that are generated by the water heater.
Another important number on the EnergyGuide sticker that you will want to pay attention to when you are comparing ratings of residential water heaters is the amount of money per year it will cost to operate the water heater.
Consumers should take this amount into consideration when deciding which water heater to purchase. Unfortunately, some consumers only take the initial price of the appliance into consideration and neglect to realize that there are ongoing costs associated with each water heater.
Once you find the brand and model of water heater that is right for you, it is wise to compare prices as various retailers and websites will differ in their pricing. By comparing all of the ratings, features, and prices, you will ensure that you get the best possible deal on a new water heater.
