Hot Water Tank Installation
Hot water tanks are one of the least thought of components of your home until there is a problem. Did you know that the average lifespan of a hot water heater is around 15 years? When it comes time to replace that defective hot water tank, there are a few different options that are available, from traditional electric tank systems to the modern tankless units.
Most water heaters go completely unnoticed until they have a problem, but when that happens it is time to call for repairs or possibly a replacement. If you turn on the hot water and all you get is cool or lukewarm water that won’t get hotter, you should have your hot water tank checked. If you notice water leaking from the tank or if your water or energy bill has increased for no apparent reason, you may need water heater repairs. Any issues with your hot water that can't be fixed by a simple solution should have a professional plumber diagnose and troubleshoot as quickly as possible.
Maintaining your hot water tank is essential to keeping it running efficiently and lasting longer. The benefits of regular maintenance (at least once a year) are lower gas or electric bills, and a longer lifespan for your water heater.
A basic water heater tune-up usually includes:
- Draining and cleaning the water tank, removing sediment that may have built up inside the tank.
- Inspecting the tank for any cracks or signs of corrosion
- Checking hoses for cracks
- Check and replace filters as needed
- Ensure the water heater is operating at factory efficiency
Conventional Water Heaters
Conventional hot water heaters are available in gas and electric storage tanks. The gas hot water heaters are less expensive to operate versus the electric water heaters. Electric water heaters can be vented through the side, front or back wall of you home whereas gas-fired tanks vent up through a chimney liner. These systems are available in either 40 or 50 gallon tank sizes.
Tankless Water Heaters
As the name suggests, tankless water heaters operate without a traditional hot water tank, instead a high efficiency heating element is connected to your plumbing system. When a faucet anywhere in your home is turned on, you will have hot water until you turn the faucet off. These systems are also called on-demand water heaters. The individual faucets receive the hot water when it’s needed, which makes for a much more enjoyable situation for people inside the house.
