When designing your new home, you may be wondering if it’s worth incorporating a whole-house water heating system. After all, you may not be used to needing constant hot water for things like bathing and cleaning. But having a professionally installed water heating system for your new home is a huge convenience. It can be especially helpful if your home is located in a cold climate.
Here are some considerations to keep in mind when incorporating a water heater in your new home design.
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Estimate Hot Water Demand in Your New Home
Before you consider which hot water heater you want, consider the actual demand in your home. This will depend on usage patterns and equipment efficiency. If you have a large family or entertain often, then the demand for hot water will be higher. To estimate your home’s hot water demand, you must first determine how many gallons of hot water your appliances will use. You can find this information in the manufacturer’s specifications.
Then, multiply that number by the number of times the appliance is likely to be used in a day. You can also multiply the number of people in your household by 75 gallons per day (the average use per person) to give you a good starting point for estimating your needs.
Consider Your Hot Water Generation Options
People have different hot water needs, so it’s important to choose a system that fits your household. The right system saves you money on upfront and lifetime costs while meeting your family’s demand for hot water. There are four basic types of residential hot water systems:
● Tankless or “on-demand” water heaters: These systems heat water as it passes through the unit, so there’s no need to store hot water in a large tank all day. They provide a continuous flow of hot water and are good for homes with two or three bathrooms.
● Traditional tank water heaters: These systems heat and store water to provide a continuous flow of hot water. They’re good for homes with more than three bathrooms or large families.
● Solar thermal: Solar thermal systems use the sun’s energy to heat water. They work best in climates with long periods of sunshine and are good for homes with electric water heating systems.
● Heat pump water heaters: Rather than generating heat directly, electric heaters transfer the heat from one area to another, resulting in high-efficiency water heating and significant cost savings.
Depending on your household size and hot water needs, you may have a different setup in each of the following areas: kitchen sink, dishwasher, clothes washer (and sometimes a utility sink or wet bar), and showers/tubs for each bathroom. Learn what types of water heating systems are available to meet your needs before deciding.
Properly Size Your Storage Water Heater
When including a water heater into your new home design, ensure you choose the proper size. If you choose a storage tank that is too small, the unit will not keep up with demand. Over time, this can lead to premature failure of the water heater and other problems, like an inconsistent hot water supply. On the other hand, if you choose a storage tank that is too large, you will be wasting energy and money.
To size your water heater correctly, you first need to determine how much hot water your household uses at its peak hour. This figure can vary greatly depending on the number of people living in your home, their bathing habits, and the type of water heater you select. Consult an expert to ensure the unit you choose provides sufficient hot water while not being larger than necessary.
Consider the Most Efficient Hot Water System Design
Efficient hot water heating system design is critical in your new home design to avoid inefficient hot water delivery systems that cost you more money and waste large amounts of water. You’ll want to consider different factors like, Plumbing system installation and layouts, Sizing hot water circulator and piping, and Hot water temperature control
● Regulatory standards and codes
Homeowners and builders generally overlook these design factors. You’ll want to consider each one when designing your new home’s plumbing system. While there is no silver bullet for a perfect and efficient hot water delivery system, you can get it right if you plan ahead with an experienced plumber or engineer.
Opt for the Most Efficient Water Heating System
When it comes to determining the best hot water system, go for the most efficient. Tankless water heaters are becoming more and more popular and for a good reason. They are efficient, save you money on your energy bill, and take up less space than a traditional water heater. Solar water heaters are also a great option.
Plan carefully when designing your new home, to make sure your hot water needs are met for years to come.
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