Originally Published in March 2018
Like most people in , you probably don’t think about your water heater very often. It might only come to mind if your showers aren’t as hot as they used to be or if you’ve noticed a puddle of water near your unit. While water heater repair is viable in many situations, sometimes it’s better to install a new one.
When You Need Water Heater Repair
Conventional and tankless water heaters have different parts and work differently. Conventional water heaters use either gas or electricity to heat cold water that enters a tank. You can set the water temperature via an exterior thermostat. When you turn on a faucet, the pressure that builds inside the tank from the heat sends the water through the faucet.
Tankless water heaters, however, don’t store heated water in a tank. Instead, they heat cold water that travels through your pipes when you turn on a faucet. The water runs through either a gas or electric element to produce hot water.
Despite these differences, water heaters have few moving parts. This makes it fairly inexpensive and easy for plumbers to repair or replace many of them. Some examples include stuck valves, bad thermostats, tripped circuit breakers, and failed heating elements. Problems with these parts can cause not enough or no hot water, water that’s too hot or noises from the unit.
When You Need Water Heater Replacement
Knowing when to replace your water heater can actually reduce your energy bill, saving you money in the long run. Conventional water heaters only have a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years, while tankless water heaters last for around 20 years. Also, water minerals interact with the steel with which water heater tanks are made. If your unit has met its life span and you’re having problems or paying higher energy bills, it’s time to replace it.
Do you want to learn more about fixing or installing a new water heater? You can check out HRI Plumbings’ water heater repair and replacement services, or call us today.
