The water heater is probably the most underrated appliance in your home. Think about it – without your water heater, you don’t have any of the following:
Given the power of the water heater, do you really know much about it? We’re here with a few things to think about when it comes to maintaining, servicing, and replacing your water heater.
The typical lifespan of residential water heaters is about ten to twelve years.
Natural gas and electric water heaters will typically last about a decade before you need to consider replacing the system. If you are not sure about the age of your water heater, the date the equipment was manufactured will be shown in the serial number which is located on the identification tag on the water heater tank.
Aging water heaters are nothing to mess around with. A water heater that is ten years or older is at more risk of springing a leak and leading to water damage to your home. If your water heater is in your attic or above the first floor, the potential for catastrophic damage rises. Be sure you have your water heater maintenance every year to prevent any leaks from damaging your home.
The most usual failure of residential water heaters that will need replacement is a leaking tank.
It is a good idea to have your plumber install the water heater in a drain pan with piping that allows the pan to drain outside of your home and minimize the probability of water damage. Every water heater should have a working and accessible cut-off valve on the inlet water supply to the tank, and a ball-type valve on the gas supply. For electric water heaters, an electrical disconnect should be placed nearby.
If a water heater is “undersized,” especially a gas water heater, the tank will malfunction in a shorter period of time.
When a gas water heater is regularly depleted of hot water due to significant hot water usage, the gas burner fires more frequently which can create heavy condensation on the outside of the tank. The condensation can cause more speedy deterioration of the steel tank. Additionally, the exceptional heat from the gas burner on the bottom of the water heater tank can also take its toll on the glass lining on the interior of the tank, which reduces the lifespan of the water heater.
Water Heater sizing is an important replacement consideration.
All water heaters are under pressure from the water supply, and as water is heated, it expands creating even more pressure. When considering replacement of a water heater, it’s generally better to go with a sizable 50 gallon tank, rather than a 30 or 40 gallon tank, providing the location will accept the larger size. The larger tank will also give you more hot water capacity.
If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance it’s because you just had a breathtakingly cold shower or turned on the faucet to find no hot water. It’s an annoying situation, but don’t fret. Learning the most frequent causes of no hot water is the first step toward finding a remedy. Here... Continue reading
Heat pump water heaters, also referred to as hybrid water heaters, are a revolutionary and environmentally friendly solution that might be well suited for your household’s hot water needs. Dig into the inner workings of these distinct units and explore their pros and cons to help you decide if a... Continue reading
Depending on where you live, mild weather or extreme cold may be typical during the winter months. Regardless, your water heater has to work harder when the temperature drops outside the house. This prompts the question — can water heaters freeze? Although very rare, it’s certainly not... Continue reading
© 2023 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.
