The answer is simple; your old water heater may be costing you more than think.

From baths and showers to dishwashing and laundry, we depend on our water heaters more than we might realize. In a typical home, the electric water heater accounts for approximately 14% of the total energy bill.

That Water Heater is the second largest energy consumer in a typical home – second only to the home heating and cooling system.

Just like in the HVAC industry, the plumbing industry has been trending towards more environmentally friendly designs with significantly improved energy efficiency ratings. The GeoSpring Water Heater by GE, for example, uses 62% less energy than a standard 50-gallon water heater. With that kind of savings, it's easy to see how a new water heater can pay for itself in no time.

Water Heaters are not a one-size-fits-all appliance. There are a variety of factors to consider when choosing a new water heater and that is why it is important to have a knowledgeable and trustworthy professional to guide you through the selection process. The right water heater will add value to your home, reduce your energy bills, and add convenience for years to come, but you have to choose right...

For starters, you have a choice of power source. Water Heaters come in gas (natural or propane) with a variety of venting options (standard, power and direct vent), electric, hybrid gas and electric, and solar water heaters which produce up to 90% of your home's hot water for free. If there is one thing we have a lot of in Florida, it's sunshine...

Water heaters are also available in the traditional tank style and tankless. Tankless models offer increased efficiency because you are only heating the water that you consume and they offer an endless supply of hot water in a much smaller package. Tankless water heaters also last twice as long as the tank style water heaters and the warranties range from 3 to 12 years.

If your water heater is more than 15 years old, replacing it could significantly reduce your electric bill and add value to your home. If you're not sure when your water heater was built, check the first 4 digits of the serial number for the month and year of manufacture