Choosing a Kitchen Water Heater
A kitchen water heater can help you have instant hot water in your kitchen. It heats water on demand and is compact, making it ideal for under sink use.
These units also reduce energy consumption by heating the water only when it is needed. This is a huge benefit compared to whole house systems.
Installation
When choosing a kitchen water heater, it is important to consider your home’s hot water requirements. It should be the right size for your needs and provide enough capacity to meet your household’s needs without causing pressure issues in your plumbing system. It should also be located close to the hot water taps you use, so you can access it quickly and easily.
If you’re looking for a smaller option, an under sink water heater is a great choice. These small devices are easy to install under your sink or in a cupboard and provide instant hot water on demand. They’re also energy efficient, using minimal electricity on standby.
Before installing a new water heater, make sure the main water supply is turned off to prevent any leaks during the installation process. If you’re planning on installing a gas model, you will need to comply with the local regulations regarding the piping and fitting connections. These requirements vary by area, and may include details such as the vent pipe’s slope, length, material, and support. It’s also important to shut off the power supply to your unit before starting any electrical work. You’ll need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting the water and power supplies to ensure a safe and secure connection. Once the connections are made, open your main water valve and check if you have a steady flow of hot water.
Energy efficiency
If your household uses a lot of hot water, consider choosing an energy efficient model. An electric model may be less expensive than a gas-fired one, depending on the cost of electricity and natural or propane gas in your area. Look for a model that has an insulation value of R-6 or higher, with thick CFC-free kitchen water heater foam insulation. You should also check the wattage of the unit — it will tell you how much power it needs to run continuously and heat water at a decent rate.
Gas-fired units have a variety of options for efficiency and venting. You can opt for sealed combustion, which has a two-pipe system that completely separates the combustion air from house air; or power-vented units, which use a fan to assist in exhausting gases outside. For safety, choose a model that has a pilot light that uses an intermittent ignition device, which resembles the spark ignition devices on kitchen ranges and ovens.
Another option is a tankless or instantaneous water heater. These models don’t have a storage tank and heat water only when it’s needed, which eliminates standby losses. The downside is that they’re a bit more expensive than conventional models and they don’t offer as much electric boiler water heater capacity. However, they’re ideal for homes with limited space and may be a good choice for a new addition or an isolated location where hot water isn’t needed very often.
Capacity
A water heater’s capacity is one of the most important factors in determining what size tank or tankless water heater you need. You want to choose a model with the right amount of capacity to meet your household’s peak hour demand, as well as to allow for multiple users in your home. The best way to determine your household’s peak hour demand is by estimating the number of hot water activities and appliances used at the busiest time of day, such as showers, washing machines, and dishwashers.
Using the peak hour demand figures from your family, you can calculate how many gallons of water a tank unit’s first hour rating can produce. This rating is located on the yellow Energy Guide sticker on a water heater’s surface. The higher the first hour rating, the more gallons of hot water the tank can deliver.
If you’re looking for a small under sink water heater with a low-energy consumption, opt for a model with a high gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH). This will ensure that you always have a sufficient supply of hot water for cooking and cleaning. You can also consider a tankless model, such as the Fisoceny mini tank water heater, which provides constant hot water with a lower energy bill. Alternatively, you can opt for a traditional tank water heater with a large storage capacity, such as the A. O. Smith 50-gallon ProLine Power Vent Water Heater, which has a high FHR rating.
Warranty
Depending on the manufacturer, a water heater can have a warranty that covers repair or replacement of the appliance within a specified period. However, most warranties are limited and only cover demonstrable defects in the product. It’s also important to note that homeowner error or improper installation can void the warranty.
The expected lifespan of a residential water heater is typically 10 years. Typically, the longer-lasting models have better warranties than the shorter-lived ones. For example, Bosch’s 10-year water heater has a lifetime warranty on the tank and six-year parts warranty. Other manufacturers’ 10-year models have similar warranty terms.
One key aspect of a water heater warranty is whether it’s transferable when a home sells. Most manufacturers have specific terms about transferring warranties to a new owner. This can help homeowners avoid having to pay for the cost of repairs or replacing a unit after the manufacturer’s warranty expires.
If you’re interested in learning about your kitchen water heater’s warranty, the plumbing professionals at B&W can help you determine its status. Just let us know the manufacturer, model, serial number and date installed. We can then check your water heater’s warranty online and provide the information to you. We can also assist with determining your home protection plan coverage, which covers your kitchen appliances and other systems and components in your house.
