Over the years, water heater designs have been improved to make them more efficient. Today, high-efficiency water heaters are widely available. However, even the highest quality water heater will eventually experience problems and need to be repaired or replaced.

The water heater is an essential part of any home, but that doesn't mean it has to sap massive amounts of energy. There are plenty of energy efficient water heaters available, but not everyone is ready to replace their old model. In that case, there are simple measures that home owners can take to save money on their energy costs by making their water heater more energy efficient.

When your water heater heats its last drop of water and can't be repaired, you may find yourself having to make a snap decision because you don't have time to ponder the options. Your family needs hot water now. But by gathering a little knowledge from some good questions, selecting the right one out of all those available makes the replacement and installation much quicker.

It used to be that a New England homeowner had few choices when it came to heating water. Now there are options. The two most popular are the conventional storage-tank heater and the tankless heater, also known as a demand water heater. Each has its advantages as well as its drawbacks. Which is best for your home? The answer depends on your family's needs.

If your hot water heater is getting on in years, it's best to determine the type of replacement you will need before it fails. Conventional storage systems are available today with features that increase efficiency. Tankless systems produce hot water on demand, making them a highly efficient system of choice. Getting the right size system for your household will balance needs and costs.

Though you may not think about it often, the water heater in your Massachusetts home plays a major role in your comfort. If your water heater is more than 10 years old or you're considering replacing it, give some thought to tankless water heaters. Tankless options have distinct advantages over their traditional counterparts and may be the answer to your hot water needs.

Far from the upstart little devices that homeowners once looked at with a lot of skepticism, tankless water heaters are becoming a lot more common. You can still choose between a traditional tank-style model and a tankless one that produces hot water as you need it. Both are readily available. But if you've toyed with the idea of making the switch to hot water on demand, here's what you can expect.

Nobody wants to think about replacing a water heater, but this is one appliance that falls into the "better safe than sorry" category. Poor efficiency eats up energy and costs you dearly on utility bills. But even more worrisome is the possibility of a leak that turns into a flood.