The average water heater can have a lifespan of twenty years, if cared for properly. Unfortunately, many homeowners are not aware that they should drain their hot water heaters every six months, so most heaters just do not last. If you need to have a new water heater installed, be sure to make an appointment with a professional water heater plumber.
How to Tell If You Need A New Water Heater
A water heater is an important part of every home – without it, life would be fairly unpleasant. There are some common ways to tell that you need a new water heater:
- Water is not getting hot you have cleaned sediment from the bottom, and everything is properly connected.
- The water heater tank itself has a leak. This is bad; not only can your home be damaged by leaking water; your energy bill will skyrocket as the water heater attempts to maintain the proper temperature.
- Your water heater is old and just not efficient. Replacing a very old water heater with a new one or even with a tankless water heater system will give you great savings on your energy bills.
If you are not sure whether you really need to install a new water heater, call a plumber who is experienced with hot water heater plumbing issues. A hot water heater installer can also conduct repairs on a unit that still has some life left; and having a professional assessment can give you peace of mind.
How To Decide What Kind Of Water Heater To Get
Besides installing a new water heater or repairing an existing system, a water heater installer can help you to decide what type of water heater is best for your home.
- Size – make sure you get a water heater that is large enough for your family’s needs.
- Cost Factors – Factors like energy usage, energy source and availability will affect the annual cost of operating your water heater.
Types Of Water Heater
There are several types and brands of water heaters available – here are just a few to start with.
- Conventional Storage Tank Water Heaters – These can take up quite a bit of space and are often the most expensive to operate. The purchase and installation costs can be lower, however. Conventional tank heaters are still quite popular and there are many brands and models to choose from.
- Demand (Tankless) Water Heaters – Demand water heaters save a lot of energy, and there is no limit to the amount of hot water you can use. If you have a big family, or have guests often, a demand heater is a great option.
- Solar Water Heater – Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to provide hot water – so they are the greenest option available!