Are you on a mission to find the perfect hot water cylinder? If it’s your first-time shopping for one then you might not know what to do and what to avoid. Read on below to find out some of the common mistakes that people make when buying hot water cylinders.
Not comparing prices
This is one of the most common mistakes that people make when shopping for a new hot water cylinder. Don’t just buy the first one you find, make sure you shop around and compare prices. This will help you to stay in budget and avoid paying too much. Some retailers will offer deals and bargains at different times of the year so if you’re after a particular model or a quality brand it’s a good idea to take the time to explore the options available to you. Comparing prices will help you to get the best deal, as some sellers will even match prices or beat their competitors. You should also not be shy about asking for discounts especially on older models as this can help you to save some decent cash.
Remember you get what you pay for
It’s very important to remember that as with any piece of technology, you really do get what you pay for. This is not the time to cheap out or go for poor quality. Your hot water cylinder will be something you use every single day so you should make sure you get something that is quality built. Many suppliers may sell off old and outdated stock and whilst the reduced prices can be attractive, it’s often the case that they just aren’t as good as they newer models.
Do you have low or mains pressure?
Before you buy a hot water cylinder you should look into whether or not you are connected to mains pressure or if you have low water pressure. Buying the wrong equipment can be a serious problem. If you get a hot water cylinder that isn’t designed for your water pressure then you’ll quickly find yourself replacing equipment.
Preparing for the future
When looking to buy your new hot water cylinder you should have a think about what your future needs might be. You may for instance want to look into units powered by solar power or perhaps you might want to consider heat pumps or other alternative energy sources. You should also think about how expensive energy costs are likely to be as electric costs are rising each year.
Warranty
Before you buy a new unit you should look into the warranty offered for the product you are considering purchasing. You don’t want to be in a position where you are out of pocket because your unit is not properly covered under warranty. Most units will offer 20 years, but that can be very conditional on your unit receiving a yearly service.
Installation costs
When buying one of these units you should think about what it will cost to install. Some units can be installed by you, but if you’re using gas to heat your water it will need to be installed by a professional. You should look into compliance and certification requirements before you make a purchase.
Storage requirements
One of the most important things to think about is what size tank you will need. Bigger is not always better as you may end up paying a lot for heating that you don’t need. If you’re in a single person household then it may not be worth it to go for a really big tank.