There are several factors to consider when choosing a water heater – gas or electric, tank or tankless. Tank sizes range from 20- to 80-gallon capacities and depend on the building occupants or household size and amount of water usage at peak times.

Regardless of which hot water heater system you choose, we have what you need from commercial water heaters to residential water heaters to water heater parts to hybrid water heaters.

First Hour Rating

You must also consider the first hour rating (FHR). That’s how much hot water you get from your water heater in its first hour of operation. The FHR capacity should be close to periods of high usage, possibly during morning showers or running the dishwasher and washing machine.

Water Heater Warranties

Find out what type of warranty is offered for your hot water heater. You’ll want to take advantage of the longest warranty possible. The average lifespan of a residential water heater is 10 to 15 years and 20+ years for commercial water heaters.

The Home Depot Water Heater Protection Plan extends the labor coverage for an additional 5 years after the manufacturer’s labor warranty ends. Think of it as an extension of the manufacturer’s labor warranty. When the manufacturer’s labor warranty ends, the Water Heater Protection Plan kicks in and continues for an additional 5 years.

Tank Water Heaters vs. Tankless Water Heaters

Water heaters with a tank are the most popular. Storage tank water heaters require little maintenance and are less expensive than tankless water heaters. On the downside, they use more energy. If you don’t use stored hot water, it cools down and must continually be reheated.

Tankless water heaters are also called instantaneous or on-demand water heaters. Just like the name implies, there’s no tank, so it requires less space. A coil system heats the water as needed, which saves on energy bills. Tankless gas water heaters and tankless electric water heaters are more expensive up front and may require you to upgrade your electrical systems.

Let Us Do It for You

When you need a water heater installation or a water heater repair, hire a professional to assure the job is completed to code. Whether it's a traditional or tankless water heater installation, our experts will have you enjoying hot water again in no time. Check out our water heater installation cost guide for details.