Need a new water heater or just looking to increase the operating efficiency of your current one?

Water heating is typically the second largest energy expense in your home. Heating your water typically accounts for about 11% of your utility bill. An old water heater can operate for years at very low efficiency before it finally fails.

Many homeowners wait until their water heater fails before shopping for a replacement. This is unfortunate because the cost of purchasing and operating a water heater can vary greatly depending on the type and model selected as well as the overall quality of the installation.

What To Look For In A Water Heater

Family Needs

The size of your family and the space available for your water heater play an important part in determining the type of water heater that is best for you. Regular demand capacities are based on a home with a washing machine and an automatic dishwasher. High demand capacities meet the hot water needs of teenagers, whirlpool tubs, spas, and oversized baths. Always anticipate your family’s future needs when selecting your water heater.

Household Size	Demand	Gas	Electric
5 or more	Regular	50, 60, or 75 Gallon	80 Gallon
	High	75 Gallon	120 Gallon
3 to 4	Regular	40, 50 Gallon	50 or 65 Gallon
	High	40, 50, 60, 75 Gallon	80 Gallon
2 or less	Regular	30 Gallon	40 Gallon
	High	40, 50 Gallon	50 Gallon

Types of Water Heaters

Both gas and electric storage tank water heaters operate in similar ways and range in size from 20 to 80 gallons. When you turn on a hot water faucet or use hot water in a washer or dishwasher, water pipes draw hot water from your tank. The heated water is drawn from the top of the tank and is replaced by cold water that is carried to the bottom by a tube.

An electric water heater can be used most anywhere, whereas a gas water heater is usually installed in a home that already uses gas.

Tank Size and Recovery Rate

The size of your tank (the number of gallons of water held) is an important factor to consider in your purchasing decision. When determining the size of your tank, consider the number of people in your household. If you have 2 people in your home a tank size of 30 to 40 gallons is good. If you have 5 or more in your household you may want to look at a tank size of 50 to 80 gallons.

Another consideration in your purchasing decision is recovery rate (number of gallons of water that can be heated in an hour).

Dimensions

What are your space considerations? Know the dimensions where your water heater is located. Determine the height of your current water heater as well as the diameter. This information will help you understand the space constraints associated with upgrading your tank. Also, it is important to know the wattage of your current water heater (i.e. 3500w or 4500w).

Energy Efficiency

The energy efficiency rating should be on a sticker on all water heaters. The efficiency and operating costs should go into your purchase decision.

New Gas Tankless Water Heaters

• Continuous hot water
• Energy efficient
• Easy operation and higher life expectancy (average life of tankless: 20 years)
• No tank to leak
• Saves space

How the Tankless Water Heater Works - With no Recovery Tank

1. Hot Water Tap Opens
2. Cold Water Enters
3. Fan comes on
4. Gas enters unit
5. Burner comes on
6. Cold water is heated in the heat exchanger
7. Hot water is mixed with bypassed cold water for final outlet temperature

Tankless Selection - The size that is right for you

Depending on how many bathrooms your home has, one of the following tankless water heater models will give you an ample supply of continuous hot water. Homeowners with 3 or more bathrooms and/or large volume multi-head showers should consider installing 2, 3 or more of our heavy-duty models which can be linked together (known as manifolding).

Not sure which model is best for you?
Contact one of our customer care reps to assist you.

Marathon Water Heaters

The new Rheem Marathon™ electric water heater is the most energy efficient in its class. The sleek, modern appearance may be eye-catching, but the revolutionary design will save you money. The Marathon’s 2-1/2" of Envirofoam™ insulation will help reduce energy consumption by allowing only 5°F heat loss in 24-hours. And with the Marathon’s renowned durability and lifetime tank warranty, this will be the last water heater you will have to purchase for your home.

Most energy efficient in its class

• Seamless, polybutene inner tank is impervious to rust and corrosion
• 2-1/2" of Envirofoam™ insulation significantly reduces heat loss
• Toughest tank in the residential water heater industry
• Self-cleaning action with bowl-shaped tank bottom
• Exterior resistant to bumps and dents
• Easy-on/easy-off water connections
• Lifetime Tank Warranty

Water Heater Accessories

Drip pans

Drip pans - sit under the water heater and collect water from leaks or overflows caused by excess pressure in the tank.

Expansion tanks

Expansion tanks - are plumbed to the water heater. They are designed to hold the extra volume of water that can be produced when cold water is heated in the tank.

Need a new water heater or just looking to increase the operating efficiency of your current one?

Water heating is typically the second largest energy expense in your home. Heating your water typically accounts for about 11% of your utility bill. An old water heater can operate for years at very low efficiency before it finally fails.

Many homeowners wait until their water heater fails before shopping for a replacement. This is unfortunate because the cost of purchasing and operating a water heater can vary greatly depending on the type and model selected as well as the overall quality of the installation.

Do It Yourself Tips

Don’t take the comfort and convenience of having hot water in your home for granted.

Bathing, showering, doing the laundry or dishes would be unpleasant without it. Not to mention the expense of unexpected breakdowns.

Here are some general tips to extend the life of your water heater:

• Lower the thermostat on your water heater; water heaters sometimes come from the factory with high temperature settings, but a setting of 115 degrees provides comfortable hot water for most uses.
  
• Drain a quart or more of water from your tank (until the water runs clear) every month or two to remove sediment that impedes heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your water heater.

Do-It-Yourself Tips

There are several ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater or buy a new, more energy efficient water heater. A family of four, each showering for 5 minutes a day, uses 700 gallons of water a week; this is enough for a 3-year supply of drinking water for one person. You can cut that amount in half by using low pressure showerheads and faucets.

• Repair leaky faucets promptly. A leaky faucet wastes gallons of water in a short period.
  
• Install aerators in faucets and low flow showerheads

Service Contracts

24 Hour / 7 Day a Week Emergency Service

With a service contract from BGE HOME, you can call 1-888-BGE-HOME for fast, reliable service. Knowing that a highly trained, professional technician is just a phone call away anytime day or night, is the kind of worry-free service you can expect from BGE HOME.

Our water heater service contract covers these parts:

Annual Repair Agreements

It doesn’t matter what brand of natural gas or electric water heater you have. Our water heater service contract means you pay nothing for labor or covered parts (see diagrams above). Even if your water heater is old, BGE HOME has you covered. To begin protecting your water heater, complete the request form and a BGE HOME customer care representative will contact you. You’ll receive a full year of coverage, and considering the high cost of repairing a broken water heater, it’s a real value. Think about it. Normally, it costs $140 or more just to replace the average water heater thermostat. But, if you have a BGE HOME water heater service contract, you pay nothing. Nothing at all!

Repair / Replacement Agreement

If you have just purchased a new water heater from BGE HOME, protect that investment with a full coverage service contract. This repair and tank replacement agreement provides you with comprehensive coverage.

A BGE HOME Full Coverage Water Heater Service Contract Includes:

• No Charge for Covered Parts
• Tank Replacement During the life of the Manufacturer’s Warranty
• No Charge for Labor
• Unlimited Service Calls
• 24-Hour Emergency Service

Cold Water? Tank Leaking? Don’t worry. You’re covered. Our full coverage water heater service contract protects one of the most important appliances in your home. (Available only for new water heater purchases from BGE HOME)

Smart Service Agreement

What would happen if your central air conditioner broke down during the dog days of summer, or your heating system shut down, or you needed emergency repair service on a cold February evening?

For pennies a day, Smart Service protects your family budget and provides peace-of-mind. In fact, Smart Service is so affordable that even one breakdown could instantly cover the entire cost of the plan. BGE HOME certified technicians will fix it right the first time. You pay absolutely nothing for covered parts and labor.

Are You Prepared?

Smart Service covers nearly all makes and models of heating and air conditioning equipment, water heaters and major household appliances.

You can always reach BGE HOME 24 hours a day, 7days a week for emergency service. You’ll have peace-of-mind knowing that a certified BGE HOME technician will come to your home to make the required repairs.

No Pre-Inspections. 24 Hour Emergency Service.

This really is a smart deal! Smart Service from BGE HOME is your protection against costly, unexpected repairs on household equipment and appliances. You can always reach BGE HOME, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency service.

What’s Covered by Smart Service?

Choose the plan that’s right for you.

Our Plans Include the Following Special Features:

• Priority Service
• 100% of covered parts for any service call
• 100% of labor costs for any service call
• Annual inspection of heating/air conditioning equipment
• Notification of special BGE HOME promotions
• And More

Choose the plan that’s right for you.

Whole House Plan

Heating and Air Conditioning System, Water Heater, Refrigerator, Range, Dishwasher, Washer and Dryer (includes annual inspection of heating/air conditioning equipment).

Home Comfort Plan

Heating and Air Conditioning System and Water Heater (includes annual inspection of heating/air conditioning equipment)
CLICK HERE to Sign Up Today.

Call us at 1-888-BGE-HOME or email us at to find out more about our service contracts.

To find out how you can protect your investment and keep the hot water flowing,
call 1-888-BGE-HOME or fill out a water heater contract request form.