If your water heater is nearing the end of its useful life and you’re thinking of replacing it before disaster strikes, you’ll be happy to know that you have better choices, thanks to federal regulations that require water heaters to be more energy-efficient. New storage tank water heaters are required to operate more efficiently, and tankless (on-demand) water heaters are even more efficient than that.

These capture heat from the air and transfer it to the water. They use about 60 percent less energy than standard electric water heaters. And while they cost more than electric-only models, installation is similar and payback time is short. But they don’t work well in very cold spaces and need to be placed in an area that stays about 40° F to 90° F.

Whirlpool manufactures and markets gas and electric water heaters. Whirlpool tank water heaters are available in multiple sizes, and standard and power vent configurations. Whirlpool water heaters are available at Lowe’s.

Tank water heaters typically hold 40, 50, or 55 gallons or more. The size you buy depends on the number of people living in your home and your peak water usage. A family of four, for instance, might take several showers, run the dishwasher, and wash a load or two of laundry in an average day, totaling 100 gallons of hot water or more. But that doesn’t mean that household needs a 100-gallon storage tank.

Because the tankless water heaters performed so similarly to each other, we averaged the results of each batch, gas and electric, and compared that score with the performance of the conventional gas and electric storage tanks and the electric heat pump model. As a result, we have no model-level ratings like we do with other major appliances.

They’re best for people who typically aren’t drawing water for more than one use at a time—such as running a shower and dishwasher simultaneously.

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Warranty: Coverage for water heaters typically runs three to 12 years. Though you’ll usually pay a bit more for longer-warranty models, we’ve found that they tend to have larger elements or burners that can speed up water heating and have thicker insulation for less heat loss. Choose a water heater with the longest warranty available.

A.O. Smith makes residential and commercial water heaters, boilers, and storage tanks that are sold exclusively by plumbing wholesalers and plumbing contractors. It manufactures tankless, hybrid, solar, and high-efficiency tank water heaters.

Tankless models are best for homes that use natural gas to heat the water; electric models might require an expensive upgrade of the home’s electrical capacity.

A roof-mounted cell absorbs the sun’s heat and transfers it to an antifreeze-like fluid in a closed-loop system that runs to the water tank. The best deliver stellar savings in summer, making them attractive for warm, sunny regions. But savings suffer on cold and cloudy days. Most models employ a backup system that kicks in when needed.

Consumer Reports recently tested several electric and gas whole-house tankless water heaters from brands such as Bosch, Navien, Noritz, Rheem, Rinnai, Tempra, and Trutankless. We compared the results with those of conventional tanked heaters from Rheem, one gas and one electric, as well as with a Rheem electric heat pump water heater, which is a variation on a tanked water heater.

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For storage tank water heaters, it’s important to consider the first-hour rating, which is the number of gallons a water heater can deliver in an hour starting with a full tank. You’ll find the FHR on the EnergyGuide label. To calculate what FHR will work for your home, use the calculator on the Energy Saver website.

Turning off the water to your toilet is extremely easy, and it comes in handy if you experience an overflowing toilet or one that simply won’t stop running.

Even with federal and local rebates, what you’ll spend to buy and install a solar system can mean you wait 10 to 30 years to recoup your costs.

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General Electric makes gas and electric water heaters. GE tank water heaters are available in multiple sizes, with energy-efficiency claims that vary by size and multiple levels of warranty coverage. The company’s tank water heaters are available exclusively at Home Depot. General Electric also makes GeoSpring, a line of electric heat pump water heaters manufactured in the U.S.

Storage tanks are the most common type of water heater. As the name suggests, these consist of an insulated tank in which water is heated and stored until needed, then emerges from a pipe on top of the water heater.

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Rheem manufactures and markets gas and electric water heaters. Rheem makes residential water heaters in tank, tankless, and point-of-use configurations and units that work with solar water-heater systems. Rheem water heaters are available in multiple sizes and with multiple warranties, with energy-efficiency claims that vary by size. Rheem tankless water heaters are available at Home Depot. Its tank water heaters are available online and through a network of dealers.

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The cost of heating water consumes almost 20 percent of your household budget, second only to what you spend on heating and cooling your home. And if you’ve been spending more time at home because of the pandemic, it’s likely that your usage and costs have gone up. Despite this expense, water heaters are typically ignored until they break, leaving you with no hot water and, possibly, a flooded basement.

Natural-gas water heaters typically use less energy and cost less to run (by about half) than electric water heaters, although you should note that gas models cost more at the time of purchase.

If you have a leak at your water heater or on a hot water line, it’s important to turn off the water as quickly as possible to reduce the water damage to your home and belongings. These steps will stop a leak from becoming a disaster.

If you’re experiencing a leak within your home, knowing how to control the water shut off valves to your main appliances can prevent the issue from getting worse, saving your budget, your possessions, and your home. It’s a good idea to locate all shut off valves and regularly check the shutoff valves in your house to ensure they are working correctly before an emergency occurs. A difficult-to-turn shutoff, one that shows signs of rust, or one that is leaking should be replaced.

Following a "heavy use" industry standard test, we compared the performance of gas and electric tankless water heaters with the performance of their conventional tank counterparts. The test used a high draw pattern equal to using 84 gallons of water per day. That’s the daily equivalent of taking several showers, running the dishwasher, washing one load of laundry, and turning the faucet on and off multiple times. The test used an inlet temperature of 58° F for gas models and 74° F for electrics (plus or minus 2° F) and a target outlet temperature of 120° F.

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Read on to learn how to use the water shut off valves in your home to stop leaks, prevent water damage, and make repairs. We cover the main water line, water heaters, toilets, and washing machines below.

Depending on how much hot water you use and how you’re heating the water (gas or electric), there are several choices. Some types are claimed to cut energy costs by up to half that of regular storage models. But their added up-front costs mean payback time might be longer.

And don’t assume that a new water heater will fit where your old one was. Because of increased insulation and other efficiency improvements, some newer models may be wider and/or taller than your old water heater.

Digital displays: These help you monitor levels and customize operation. Some electric/heat pump hybrid water heaters let you set a vacation mode that uses just the heat pump for added efficiency when you’re away. Displays on solar water heaters often show tank and collector temperatures, along with pressure readings and other info.

If you have a valve, turning off the water to your washing machine is very similar to the procedure for shutting off the water to your toilet.

Make sure that the electricity or gas supply to the water heater is off. Never work near water with electricity running to the appliance.

Have you shut off your water because you’re experiencing a problem with your plumbing? It’s best to have it handled right away, so you can go back to using your water and appliances! The expert, licensed technicians at CW Service Pros are available 24/7. Simply call 972-395-2597!

Kenmore makes gas and electric water heaters. Its water heaters are available in multiple sizes, and in Power Miser and Hydrosense electronic-temperature-control configurations. Kenmore water heaters are available at Sears and other retailers.

Rather than storing water, tankless water heaters use heating coils to heat the water as you need it. They’re more energy-efficient than a storage tank but provide only a limited flow of hot water per minute—about 3.5 gallons, depending on inlet water temperatures.

Tankless water heaters, of course, don’t hold much water, so the number to look for is the gallons-per-minute rating (GPM). That’s the number that tells you how much hot water the heater can deliver over a set period of time. The higher the GPM, the more hot water the unit can deliver. If you have a big family and multiple bathrooms, you’ll need a tankless water heater with a higher GPM. A typical shower, for example, uses up to 2.5 GPM. Newer washers use from 7 gallons (front-loader) to 19 gallons (agitator top-loader) per wash, but older models can use up to 32 gallons per load, as indicated below. Calculate your needs accordingly.

These models have a tank like a conventional water heater, but they capture exhaust gases that would normally go out the flue, which wastes energy. These gases are blown through a coil in the base of the unit, where incoming cold water can absorb most of the heat.

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If your washing machine is experiencing a leak or you need to perform repairs, you’ll want to turn off the water supply. Depending on the type of washing machine you have, there are a couple ways to shut off the water.

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But first, you need to know where the valve to the main water supply or the homeowner shutoff is located. If you don’t know, call a plumber for assistance. Don’t wait to find out! It’s a good idea to learn the location before you run into a serious issue.

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Even though you’ve stopped water from running into the appliance, there will still be water left in the tank, which could leak, so it’s best to drain the water out.

As the result of recently updated efficiency standards, water heaters less than 55 gallons now have a 4 percent boost in efficiency and water heaters 55 gallons or more have efficiency gains of 25 to 50 percent, depending on the technology used—heat pump or condensing. (See water heater types, below.)

Using the purchase price, annual energy cost, and an estimated cost of installation, we calculated the payback time for both new and replacement installations. Payback time was longer for a tankless unit that replaced an existing storage tank but more reasonable with new construction.

Anti-scale devices: Some brands advertise features that are supposed to reduce buildup of mineral scale at the bottom of the tank by swirling the water. Though scale can shorten the life of the heating element, you don’t need to invest in fancy features to get a water heater that lasts. Just look for one with a 12-year warranty, which typically includes a longer or thicker element.

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And because the heat pump is on top, a hybrid water heater needs as much as 7 feet of clearance from floor to ceiling. You’ll also need up to 1,000 cubic feet of uncooled space to capture enough heat from the air as well as a nearby drain to discharge the condensate.

Other water heater brands currently on the market include: Bradford White, EcoSmart, Rinnai, State, Bosch, Navien, Noritz, Tempra, and Trutankless.

Typically, homeowners replace their old water heater with one of the same type that runs on the same fuel—natural gas or electricity. Switching from a tank water heater to a tankless unit can be expensive because it requires you to retrofit your plumbing and possibly your electrical system. But if you’re building a new home or adding to an existing one, installing a tankless water heater may make economic sense.

Brass vs. plastic drain valves: These are situated near the base of the water heater for a garden hose that drains the heater. Look for brass drain valves, which are more durable than plastic.