You turn on the hot water tap and discover that minutes go by before any hot water comes out. Or no hot water at all comes out of the tap. Or perhaps you turn on the hot water and notice the water has a brown or brackish color to it that may or may not go away. What to do? Should you invest in a new water heater or have the current water heater repaired? Good questions. The truth is there can be several answers to these questions depending on what the problem is with the water heater. Here are some tips to help make that decision easier. If you discover that you do not have hot water, check the heater to see if the pilot flame is working (if it is gas operated). If it pilot light is out, relight it according the heater's owner manual. If the heater is electric, check the circuit breaker to make sure it has not tripped. Most hot water heaters are on their own breaker which means it can shut off without other electrical outlets shutting off as well. So, just because the lights and television are working does not mean the water heater breaker is set as well.

1. Is it Time to Replace Your
Water Heater?
There are many options when it comes to
choosing a new water heater that will suit
you and your family’s needs.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

2. There Are 4 Types of Water Heaters
 Storage Water Heaters
 Demand Water Heaters
 Heat Pump Water Heaters
 Solar Water heaters
In order to decide which one is right for you,
consider the unique qualities of each.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

3. Storage Water Heaters
 Tanks hold 20-80 gallons
of heated water
 Initially least expensive
 Have a higher operating
cost overtime
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

4. Demand Water Heaters
 Heats water as needed
 Can reduce energy
consumption by 20-30%
 Your home always has a
supply of hot water
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

5. Heat Pump Water Heaters
 2-3 times more efficient
than the standard tank
water heaters
 Move heat from one place
to another instead of
generating heat directly
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

6. Solar Water Heaters
 Use solar energy to heat
water
 More expensive initially but
can pay for itself over time
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

7. Now that you know about
each type, how do you
decide what’s best for you?
There are 3 factors to consider.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

8. Peak Hour Demand Capacity
 Peak hour demand capacity is
determined by how much hot
water is delivered in a busy
hour, also referred to as FHR
and found on the heater’s
Energy Guide
 Some water heater’s FHR is
higher than others
 A water heater should match or
exceed your needs
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

9. Rating Efficiency
 Once you decide on a type of water heater, look for
the one with the best rating efficiency in its category
 Energy Factor, or EF, determines rating efficiency
 The higher the EF, the better
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

10. Cost Comparison
 It is important to remember that each heater has
different life cycles
 Cost comparison encompasses:
 Purchase Price
 Maintenance
 Operating Expenses
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474

11. Choosing the right kind of water heater can be a complicated
process, but the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in
Wilmington, DE are here to help.
Call us today at 302-468-1474, or visit our website at
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com for a FREE water heater
survey and home analysis and be presented with all your
options so you can make the best decision.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing
410 Meco Drive Suite B
Wilmington, DE 19804
www.BenFranklinWilmington.com Phone: 302-468-1474