How To Choose A Water Heater For Your Home (NAPSA)—Manypeople don’t think about choosing a water heater until they’re faced with an emergencysituation. Fortunately, researching water heaters now can make finding the right heater easier whenever you needone. When shopping for a replacement heater or selecting a heater for your new home, one of the most important questions you can ask is: What size water heater do I need to keep my water temperature hot and myutility costs low? A water heater’s ability to meet household demand is determined by a combination of tank capacity and energy input. The amountof hot water a water heater can deliver in the first hour of use is called the “first hour rating” and is a critical figure during peak demand periods. The best way to increase first-hour rating is to increase tank capacity. “It really boils down to lifestyle issue,” says Cliff Deidiker of State Water Heaters. “The average family today uses more hot water than ten years ago.” He points out that nearly every home now has a washing machine, a dishwasher, and a minimum of two bathrooms. Fur- thermore, an increasing number of homes are being equipped with large whirlpool tubs that use up to 80 gallons of hot water at one time. “People are using the bathroom more as a retreat. They're bathing in bigger tubs and taking longer Since most homes have dishwash- ers, washing machines and two bathrooms, plumbing contractors recommendlarger water heaters. showers with multiple shower heads that use a significant amountof a home’s hot water supply,” says Deidiker. Plumbing contractors are increasingly recommending and installing 50 to 75 gallon capacity water heaters as opposed to smaller models. Safety is also a key consideration. Manufacturers now pre-set water heater thermostats to the lowest point on the thermostat prior to shipping. State strongly recommends the thermostat then be set to a maximum of 120F to reduce the risk of scald burns. In order to meet ever-changing lifestyle demands, a comprehensive selection of State Water Heaters is available from professional contractors nationwide. To find a contractor near you, visit www.statewaterheaters.com or call 800-365-0024.
