4 Tips for Choosing a Water Heater for a Commercial Space

Necessarily, commercial water heaters are larger than their residential counterparts. In fact, the smallest of these is still quite a bit larger than the largest reasonable water heater for a home. There are several things to consider when it comes to selecting a commercial water heater, so read on for more information.
1. The Right Kind of Heater
There are pros and cons for all kinds of water heaters. Gas heaters are inexpensive to run but need more repairs than other types. Solar water heaters are inexpensive to run but pricey in the beginning. Plus, solar heating is only part of the total necessary heating. It has to be paired with another form. Electric water heaters cost a bit more to run, but they can be set to a predetermined temperature instead of having to guess.
2. Tank or No Tank?
Water heaters with tanks generally cost less than their tankless counterparts. They cost more to run, however. Also, there is a time differential between when the tank is empty and when the tank will have heated the refilled water. Each water heater will have what’s known as a “first-hour rating.” That’s the number of gallons the water heater can heat in 60 minutes. It’s usually much more than the number of gallons in the tank. However, it’s still possible to run out of hot water, particularly in a commercial setting.
Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, are rated in gallons per minute. A quick way to determine how many gallons per minute you need is to count up all the fixtures that you need to have water provided to them simultaneously. Then, multiply by two.
Theoretically, in a commercial setting, it would be equal to the number of fixtures in the building because it’s possible for every sink, toilet, and other fixture needing hot water to be in use at the same time. In a large business, you’d need multiple water heaters of both kinds because a single heater for a huge building would make little sense.
3. Energy Efficiency
Lowering one’s carbon footprint is just smart. Not only will it result in lower bills for you, but it will also help safeguard the environment. Local, state, and federal government agencies also sometimes offer incentives for installing “green” appliances and fixtures, and your water heater can certainly be part of that.
Remember, too, that you have to take your hours of operation into consideration. There will be a big difference between your water usage when you’re open and when there are only a few security guards in the building after hours. You’re going to want programmable water heaters so that you can save extra energy and money when you’re not open for business.
4. Cost
Weigh the cost of the new water heaters against the ongoing costs of operating them. Remember that your type of business will control how many people will come into the building each day.
By considering each of these four things, you will surely be able to find the right water heater for your needs.