If you are lucky enough to live in a tropical climate with balmy weather all year around, you probably don’t need much hot water for baths or showers. For the rest of us, a hot water heater is an essential household appliance.
Chances are your home already has a hot water heater. However, if you don’t currently have a water heater installed, call us! We are experts in hot water heater installation. We install storage tank and tankless types of water heaters, as well as more specialized water heaters such as point-of-use, solar, or combination boiler heaters.
What are some different types of water heaters?
Water heaters come in two main groups, with two common choices in each group. The first group is divided by heat source. You can choose from either gas heated or electric water heaters.
If you choose gas, the two options are propane and natural gas. Both of these gases are similar in their operation, with natural gas being the more common option in the US. You will probably want to stick with the type of gas that your home is already set up for.
The second choice when it comes to hot water heaters is between storage tank style water heaters and tankless water heaters. Storage water heaters store hot water, as the name indicates. They continue to heat that water to a certain temperature so that your water heater is always ready to dispense hot water.
Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, have no storage tank. They heat and dispense water as it is needed.
What are the advantages and disadvantages?
Gas and electric water heaters both have their advantages and disadvantages, as well as tank style and tankless water heaters.
Gas heaters heat up your water more quickly than electric heaters, but gas heating systems are also more complicated and expensive to maintain. Depending on your electricity provider, electric heating systems can be more eco-friendly and cheaper.
A storage tank water heater can handle several different appliances or faucets dispensing hot water at once, but once the hot water runs out it takes some time to heat more water. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, can continue heating water as long as the gas or electrical current is flowing. You won’t have to worry about running out of hot water. Also, since tank water heaters heat water even when the hot water is not in use, they are less energy efficient than tankless water heaters.
What problems can water heaters have?
Water heaters are constantly operating, taking in water and heating it up, storing it (in the case of tank-style water heaters) and distributing it to where it is needed. With this constant activity, it is no surprise that water heaters can run into serious issues over the course of their operational lifespan. Water heaters can be damaged by a variety of factors, from regular wear and tear to improper installation and maintenance.
In areas that have hard water, or water with a high mineral content, water heaters and other plumbing fixtures often have a shorter operational life. If you live in an area with hard water, it is very important to have your heater and plumbing system maintained and inspected more often than usual. Our plumbing and heating professionals can help you keep your water heater efficient and in good repair, as well as spot leaks and other damage as a result of wear and corrosion.
It is always best to have a licensed professional install or repair your water heater to avoid expensive problems later on. When you call us for water heater repair, maintenance or installation, you aren’t just paying for a job well done. You are also paying for peace of mind in the unlikely case that something goes wrong with your water heater in the future.
Can I install or repair a water heater by myself?
We strongly discourage customers from trying to install or repair a water heater by themselves. Installing or repairing a water heater can be a dangerous, complicated, time-consuming job that requires a thorough knowledge of plumbing and electrical systems, as well as the steps that must be taken to ensure the safety of your home and the people in it. Always call an expert! You can trust our licensed plumbers and heating experts to do a great job with water heater installation, maintenance and repair.
Give us a call for expert service!
If you need the services of a plumber or heating expert, give us a call. Our plumbers have the experience and training to ensure that your family is safe and comfortable. If you have any questions about plumbing systems, or if you want a quote for a plumbing or heating appointment, give us a phone call or send us an online message today!
