Written on: August 27, 2021
Every household runs better with a steady and reliable supply of hot water. And everyone loves a long, hot shower! But the question is: are you spending more money than necessary on hot water? Or, even worse, are you running out of hot water more than you did before?
Next to heating and cooling, heating your water is the next largest use of energy in the home. It accounts for nearly 20% of your energy costs, The average household uses 65 gallons of hot water a day for showers, dishwashing, laundry and other normal chores.
If you’re relying on an old, inefficient electric water heater, you can do better by switching to a much more efficient oil-powered water heater. Heating oil uses less energy than electric for heating water and it’s better for the environment. Electricity made at a coal-fired or natural power plant creates many more carbon dioxide emissions than heating oil. Make the switch, and you’ll not only save money, but you’ll also reduce your carbon footprint. And by the way, an oil-fired water heater heats water much faster and for less money, compared to an electric water heater. So it’s a win-win.
Be aware that the performance of any water heater diminishes over time, leading to wasted energy, higher costs than necessary and diminished hot water production.
If your water heater is 10 years old or older, it’ probably time to make the switch to a newer unit. The average life span of a water heater varies from 7 to 13 years, depending on your town’s water quality and various other factors. Today’s oil-fired water heater technology is far superior to older models, which will translate to energy savings for years to come.
Indirect-fired water heaters use the burner inside your oil boiler to heat your tap water. Anytime your boiler is heating your home, your indirect water heater works free. An indirect-fired water heater is one of the most efficient water heating options available, and Westmore Fuel offers professional installation of these units from top manufacturers.
A direct-fired water heater is the kind of heater that most people know well. It’s the most common type of water heater, with a dedicated burner inside to heat water that is stored in a tank. As you use the water in the tank, the supply of hot water is constantly replenished. This is a good choice if you heat your home with a warm-air furnace, instead of a hydronic system (boiler) that uses hot water or steam to heat your home.
You can have confidence that the certified and experienced Westmore Fuel technician who arrives at your home to install your new water heater has been thoroughly trained to do the job. Every water heater we install is covered by a manufacturer’s warranty, and we stand behind our installations with a 100%-satisfaction guarantee. Whether you want to replace your old water heater now or simply want to learn more for future reference, contact Westmore Fuel and one of our water heater equipment experts will be happy to give you advice.
Westmore Fuel installs and services water heaters in Darien, Greenwich, Stamford and nearby communities in Connecticut. We do the same for New York communities, including Port Chester, Mount Kisco, New Rochelle and White Plains.
You can read more about water heaters here.