Water heating accounts for roughly 18-20% of home energy use.
Buying a water heater is a decade-long commitment, and the right choice depends more on your household's "peak demand" than just the price tag. When evaluating models, look past the initial cost to consider these four critical pillars. 1. The Right Size: FHR vs. Tank Gallons what to look for when buying a water heater
Estimate how much hot water your family uses during their busiest hour (e.g., back-to-back morning showers plus a dishwasher). Water heating accounts for roughly 18-20% of home energy use
Natural gas is often cheaper to operate than standard electric, but Heat Pump (Hybrid) water heaters are the champions of efficiency, using up to 70% less electricity than traditional models. Natural gas is often cheaper to operate than
This is the gold standard for efficiency—the higher the number, the better.
Don’t just buy by tank size (e.g., 40 vs. 50 gallons). Instead, check the on the EnergyGuide label .
If going tankless, look for Gallons Per Minute (GPM) rather than FHR. A typical shower uses about 2 GPM.