Water Heater Advice From Plumbing Experts

As Nashville’s trusted plumbing company, we pride ourselves on giving homeowners the understanding they need to make the best decisions for their home’s plumbing. It’s all part of the package of delivering truly exceptional plumbing services.

Having hot water is essential to a well functioning home. Washing dishes, doing the laundry, taking a shower, all these activities require a fully functioning hot water heater. In today’s post, we’re going to discuss some common questions we get about water heaters.

Whether you are in the market for a new water heater, need repairs, or simply want to know how you can get the most out of your water heater, stay tuned for some valuable information. 

Should I Choose A Tankless Or Traditional Water Heater?

If you’re in the market for a new water heater, one of the first questions you should ask yourself is whether a traditional or tankless system is best suited for your needs. Below we’ll discuss some of the major differences between the two in terms of costs, longevity, and other factors.

Traditional Tank Water Heaters

• Hot Water Capacity: Limited by how much can be held in the tank
• Up front costs: The average is around $800 for installation of a new unit
• Lifespan: About 12 years
• Operating costs: Annual average of $390

Tankless Water Heaters

• Hot water capacity: Water is heated by gas or electricity on demand
• Up front costs: Average installation costs is around $3,000
• Lifespan: About 20 years
• Operating costs: Annual average around $270

Simply put, it comes down to what you prioritize. Personally, we believe that the tankless system gives more overall value to homeowners in the long-term.

What’s The Difference Between Gas & Electric Water Heaters?

Another thing to consider regarding water heater replacements is what type of power source you’re going to use, electric or gas. For the most part, it’s easiest to simply continue with the same type of power you are already using for your water heater. If you don’t already have a gas hookup for your home, it’s not worth the hassle to set it up for your water heater alone.

However, beyond that, we can think about weighing out upfront costs vs the long-term energy costs. Typically, a gas water heater will cost you more upfront, but you’ll likely be saving on energy costs down the line since the cost of natural gas is lower. When it comes to heating speed, gas water heaters will heat your water more quickly. You also have the advantage of being able to have hot water during a power outage.

What’s Causing My Water Heater To Malfunction?

One of the most common plumbing services we provide are water heater repairs. While some repairs are DIY, some require the help of a professional plumber. 

Here are some of the most common issues our customers experience with their water heaters:

• Water leaking from tank: When it comes to water heater leaks, before you assume your unit is toast, check the drain valve. Oftentimes you may need to simply tighten or replace this part. However, if it is your tank that has a leak, the only real solution is to replace the entire unit.
• Not enough hot water: If you’ve already confirmed that your thermostat is set at a comfortable temperature, it may be a faulty element or loose wiring. It’s also possible you don’t have a water heater big enough to meet your needs.
• Strange noises: As scale builds up on heating elements in your water heater, it’s not uncommon to hear banging, popping, or even hissing sounds. The noises could also be from having too much sediment buildup in the tank.

How Can I Get The Most Life Out Of My New Water Heater?

Generally speaking there are three things you can do to help your water heater last longer, so you can get the most out of your investment.

• Flush your tank: This keeps sediment from building up and ruining your water heater. Make sure you do a thorough flush, not just a simple draining.
• Insulate your water heater: This is an easy thing to do and only needs to be done once. Simply wrap your heater in an insulating material. Not only will you get more life, it’ll also increase its efficiency by as much as 40%.
• Check & Replace The Anode Rod: This critical piece of your water heater is designed to protect the metal lining of the tank and prevent corrosion over time. Make sure to check on its condition and replace if it’s starting to corrode.

However, the best thing you can do to get the most out of your hot water heater is to invest in routine professional plumbing maintenance. At Plumbing Solutions, we have the experience and expertise to keep your water heater in tip-top condition for years to come.

Choose Plumbing Solutions For All Your Water Heater Services Needs

We hope you found these pieces of advice helpful. However, sometimes tips from a blog isn’t enough. At Plumbing Solutions, we understand that keeping up with your home’s plumbing can be tough. That’s why we always offer complimentary whole home plumbing inspections with every service we do. Simply contact us to get started today.