Water Heater Replacements: Choosing Between Light Duty and Heavy Duty Units

Water Heater Replacements: Choosing Between Light Duty and Heavy Duty Units

When considering water heater replacements, choosing between light-duty and heavy-duty units often depends on specific household needs and the existing electrical infrastructure. Based on the conversation, it appears the best option for a customer with a 16-electrical panel is a light-duty commercial 80-gallon unit. This is because the panel might not have the sufficient capacity to support a heavy-duty 80-gallon unit. Six elements are required by heavy-duty units, which add up to 90 kilowatts. This power requirement necessitates approximately 150-200 amps, which the customer’s electrical panel might not support. Add to this the higher cost of heavy-duty systems, and the light-duty unit seems like the best fit.

Considering brand preference in water heater replacements, the performance is often similar across different brands. In this particular case, AO Smith and State were the brands in discussion, with both providing commercial light-duty units. AO Smith, being offered at a lower cost, was opted for. While the amount of water and temperature were concerns for the customer, these were addressed by ensuring that the chosen unit would provide suitable amounts of hot water at the desired temperature. Essentially, the determining elements were the electrical infrastructure, unit capacity, and cost.

Understanding Light Duty and Heavy Duty Units

One of the critical factors to consider in water heater replacements is whether a light-duty or heavy-duty unit is suitable for your needs. Light-duty units, like the commercial 80-gallon unit we recently installed, are often a top choice when the existing electrical infrastructure is limited. With a 16-electrical panel, for instance, a heavy-duty unit will be too demanding, requiring considerable electrical alterations.

It’s important to remember that heavy-duty units consist of six elements, summing up to approximately 90 kilowatts. This requires about 150-200 amps, which a 16-electrical panel may not support. Coupled with the potentially prohibitive costs of heavy-duty units, light-duty systems often emerge as the more favorable option for water heater replacements.

Brand Performance and Selection in Water Heater Replacements

When it comes to brands for water heater replacements, there are many great options on the market. Based on firsthand experience, we have found that the performance is consistently high across various brands. Recently, we discussed AO Smith and State units for a client. Both brands offer commercial light-duty units that are designed to meet a range of household needs. Given its more affordable cost, AO Smith was chosen.

The primary areas of concern for the customer included sufficient hot water quantity and desired temperature. These were tackled by confirming that the preferred light-duty unit would indeed cater to those requirements efficiently. In essence, the deciding components in this case were the accessibility of the current electric supply, the unit’s competency, and cost.

Key Elements in Choosing Water Heater Replacements

In the instance of replacing water heaters, the main elements to look at are the capacity of the existing electrical panel, cost considerations, and your specific household needs. While heavy-duty systems are powerful, they may require costly modifications such as upgrades to your existing electrical panel. Therefore, understanding your unique household requirements can guide you to choose the most suitable water heater replacements.

Costs can play an integral role in the decision-making process. In the heavier duty systems, the demand for 150-200 amps can quickly mount to a substantial sum. Comparatively, the light-duty system, bearing less power demand, can be a more affordable and efficient system for many homeowners.

Water Heater Replacements and Ensuring Sufficient Hot Water

One common concern with water heater replacements is whether the new system will provide enough hot water. Notably, light-duty systems can in fact generate ample hot water and maintain the desired temperature. The light-duty commercial 80-gallon unit, for example, has two more substantial elements than a regular residential unit, enabling it to produce more hot water.

If you’re in Greater Tampa Bay and need water heater replacements, be it light-duty or heavy-duty, commercial or domestic systems, we’re here to help at Home Therapist. Feel free to drop by our location by checking out our Google My Business page. With our expert professional team, we have the knowledge and experience to assist you in selecting and installing the best water heater to meet your specific needs.