Whether you’re moving into a new home, or need to replace your old unit, it’s important to know where you’re going to install your new water heater. Surprisingly, the location of your water heater in your home can affect many factors, like the unit’s efficiency and even the longevity of the heater itself.
Because of these reasons, it’s important to understand how location affects a water heater. That way, you can make the best decision for heating your shower and sink in your home.
Type of Water Heater Unit
A large factor that affects where you can install your water heater is what type of unit it is. A heater with a tank takes up a lot of space, and is usually placed in large closets or outside the home. A tankless water heater is smaller, which means it can take up less space in a closet, or even fit under the sink or in a pantry.
You should also consider the input type of the water heater, gas vs. electric. Gas powered heaters use the air around it to cool itself. Therefore, you should try to place the unit somewhere that doesn’t require a lot of AC, like a basement or garage. If it’s electric, it cools itself, meaning it’s location is more flexible.
Water heater with a tank
Stay Close to the Faucets
When installing your water heater, with or without a tank, it’s important to place it as close to the most used areas as possible. For example, let’s say you live in a two story house where the bathrooms are upstairs. It would make more sense to place the water heater unit closer to upstairs rather than in the basement, where you probably won’t need as much hot water.
Climate Control
No matter if you’re installing a new water heater, or replacing an old one, it’s important to place the unit in a controlled environment. The last thing you want is your water heater drastically changing your energy bill.
Consider the climate of where you live. If you live in a colder climate, then your water heater should be placed in a centralized part of the house. That way it can help to warm the house all year-round. In warmer climates, it might be best to place the unit outside the house, like in a garage or shed. This way, you’ll use less AC to cool down whatever space the water heater would take up in your home.
Ease of Access
One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing your location is how easy it is to access. If your water heater is placed somewhere that’s hard to get to, it’ll be more difficult to fix something that goes wrong. You also can’t reach it just to make minor changes or repairs. The harder it is to reach your water heater, the more expensive the labor will become when you need it fixed.
If you need help planning your water installation or replacement, call Mike Wilson’s Plumbing. Our expert plumbers service the Richmond, Midlothian, and Chesterfield areas, and are more than happy to speak with you about any of your plumbing concerns. Call us at 804-641-6570