 Storage water heaters are the familiar tall, cylindrical white tanks. They utilize natural gas, electricity, propane, or fuel oil to heat water, and they store from 20 to 120 gallons of water, depending on the size of the tank.
If your are in the market for a conventional water heater, your first decision will be whether to buy a gas or electric model. In addition to considering the price tag and capacity when making a buying decision, check the yellow EnergyGuide label, your best tool for comparing models. On average, water heaters last for 13 years, so one that operates efficiently can pay you back in energy savings over time. On the label, check the first-hour rating (FHR) number—this indicates how much hot water the heater can supply per hour at peak usage. The minimum FHR to select for your home will depend on the number of bathrooms and bedrooms (residents) it has. Another label on the water heater should reveal its energy factor (EF). This indicates how well the unit converts its fuel to heat. The higher the EF number, the more efficiently the water heater uses its energy. Electric water heaters have EF numbers between 0.75 and 0.95, and gas units are rated between 0.5 and 0.7. Although electric units may use their fuel more efficiently, electricity is a much more expensive water-heating fuel than gas in most regions.
| Bathrooms | 1 or 1.5 | 1 or 1.5 | 1 or 1.5 | 2 or 2.5 | 2 or 2.5 | 2 or 2.5 | 2 or 2.5 | 3 or 3.5 | 3 or 3.5 | 3 or 3.5 | | Bedrooms | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 5 | | FHR | 43 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 70 | 72 | 90 | 72 | 82 | 90 |
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