Water Heater Replacement Involves Many Decisions!
Most water heaters have what is called a hot water tank. Normally these last around 10 years. The only problem is, many folks tend to neglect giving them the proper attention. If properly maintained, they could last twice as long.
Sometimes what happens is the water heater wears out in 2-3 years because of hard water which creates lime deposits in the bottom of the tank. Most of us living here in Tallahassee and Leon County Florida knows what that means!
So if you want to get the most bang for your buck, you may want to consider a tankless water heater. They last much longer. Many manufacturers offer lifetime warranties for tankless water heaters.
So if you think it may be time to replace your water heater then you may want to consider this option. In most cases, as long as you do not have HUGE demands for hot water this might be the best way to go.
Water Heater Repair
As already mentioned, many water heaters start to fail for a number of reasons. If you have a gas water heater, you may hear popping noises when the burners turn on. This is caused by the sediments or lime deposits.
Sometimes it could be a simple repair of just replacing a thermal coupling which controls your pilot light. When it fails the pilot light will not stay lite. Thus no hot water.
Other things that can fail are the thermostat, dip tube or a relief valve. If your thermostat fails, no heat. If a dip tube breaks, incoming cold water can be mixing with the outgoing hot water.
Sometimes water heaters get so hot, the relief valve will pop off and flood your home. This is for your protection, but you still want to prevent this from happening because of the water damage it can cause.
Electric water heaters can fail in the same way as a gas one with the exception of the thermo coupling. Most of the time the heating element fails on these for similar reasons the gas ones fail.
It’s best if you call a professional when it comes to water heater repair. If you’re not sure of what you’re doing, do not attempt it. Ask the plumber how much it will cost to repair or replace. Most of the plumbers in Tallahassee give FREE quotes.
Also be sure to inquire about warranties if you purchase a new one. Especially if it’s a tankless water heater since the warranties vary from one brand to another.
Water Heater Replacement
If you do need to replace your water heater, you have several decisions to make. The most basic decision is whether or not you want a tankless system. Not only do tankless systems last longer, they are more energy-efficient. They are often cheaper, depending on the size and number of water heating units you buy. The drawbacks for tankless water systems usually involve performance.
Hire a Tallahassee Plumber
If you decide for water heater replacement, you have to choose a water heater with a tank, or a tankless heater. If you choose a hot water tank, the key to the best performance is how big of a tank you get determines the amount of storage. Also you want to have it insulated to try and minimize the gas, propane or electric usage it requires for a constant supply of hot water.
Should you choose a tankless water heater it will be more about the flow rate. Without an adequate flow rate, you may hear some screams from the shower when you flush a toilet or run a faucet. No one likes a cold shower right?
Some other decisions involve which heat source to use (gas, oil, electric, LP or solar), the size and shape of the tank, what type of insulation you need, whether to use thermal stores, whether your hot water heater is going to be part of your central heating. Many of these decisions may already be made for you, depending on your home and the climate where you live. Talking to a local plumbing contractor is the best way to determine what will work best for your particular situation and needs.
So there you have it, water heater repair does require numerous decisions. Just ask lots of question of your plumber and he will be happy to help you make the right kind of decision.
END THE HOT WATER WARS (30sec)