Celebrate Your Water Heater This Holiday Season

A Quick Background on Water Heaters

As their name suggests, water heaters are the home appliance responsible for heating the warm water from the tap and shower. In the US, most residential water heaters are of the storage tank variety, where water is constantly heated using gas or electricity. Their volume can vary from 2 to 10 gallons. Another kind of water heater is the tankless water heater. Tankless heaters heat water from the water line on-demand, saving energy compared to their storage tank counterparts. 

In this article, plumbing experts help homeowners understand these systems and why they should care for them – especially this holiday season.  

How Do Plumbers Solve Some of the Most Common Water Heater Issues?

Water heaters are an unsung hero in the home. They’re not often thought about, but it’s immediately noticeable when an issue arises. When a water heater issue crops up, it’s important to quickly diagnose the problem and contact a professional for service or replacement. 

Here a few of the common water heater problems and how a plumber can help fix them:

• No hot water: If a water heater isn’t making hot water, the first step is to check the pilot light or the fuse box, depending on how the heater generates its power. If there are no problems with the power source, the plumber may need to fix the heating element or recommend replacing the water heater itself.
• Too little hot water: If the water heater isn’t making enough hot water, the first thing a plumber would do is check to ensure the thermostat is at the appropriate temperature. Otherwise, the tank may be too small for the household’s needs, or the heater has a faulty heating element. Either way, it’s wise to replace the water heater in this instance.
• Puddles forming around the heater: This is the most common water heater problem and is a symptom of many potential issues. The plumbing connections may be too loose or failing, the tank may be corroded, or the temperature and pressure valve may be faulty and failing to regulate the pressure inside the tank. 

These situations indicate serious issues with the water heater and replacement will likely be the option recommended by the plumber.

What Is the Typical Water Heater Lifespan?

Water heaters play a significant role in any residential home, so their durability is one of their most essential characteristics. Storage tank water heaters typically can last between 8 and 12 years. Tankless water heaters can last about 20 years on their original components. As a water heater nears the end of its lifespan, it’s imperative to call a professional and prepare to replace it.

Why Replace a Storage Tank Water Heater With a Tankless Water Heater?

More and more modern homes are built with tankless water heaters, and many plumbers recommend replacing a tanked water heater with a tankless heater when the time comes. Tankless heaters offer several benefits over water heaters of the storage tank variety.

These benefits include:

• Instant Hot Water: Because tankless water heaters are heating water directly from the waterline, they can provide hot water on demand.
• Last Longer: Storage tank water heaters have a lifespan of about a decade, but tankless water heaters typically last twice as long. Additionally, they’re more simple to fix than a traditional water heater because it’s easier to swap out faulty parts.
• Use Less Energy: Tankless water heaters aren’t constantly heating a large tank of water, so they consume less energy overall than storage tank water heaters. In the long run, this saves money on utilities and is much better for the environment.

About Daniel Cordova Plumbing

Daniel Cordova Plumbing is a top-rated plumbing company serving West Covina, CA. They service a range of plumbing needs at honest prices and are proud of the expert workmanship they bring to every job. Contact them for dependable water heater repair in West Covina today! 

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