When Is It Time To Replace Your Water Heater?

Water heater issues are not a problem until you notice a huge puddle in your

basement, or you turn on your shower and the water is icy cold. That raises one

very important question: “Should you repair or replace your water heater?” Below

is a guide that will help you decide when to replace your water heater:

Diagnosing Water Heater Problems

The conventional water heater is very simple. The cold water comes inside of the

tank and is heated using a gas burner or an electric element. The temperature of

the water heater is regulated using a thermostat. The temperature usually ranges

from 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Pressure builds up inside of the tank when

the water heats. The pressure sends the hot water out of the tank when you turn

on the tap. There are only a few things that can go wrong with your water heater

because it only has a few moving parts:

Thermostat Is BrokenPilot light goes outHeating element or burner failsValve Sticks

Having any of those parts replaced or repaired is relatively inexpensive.

Plumbers can fix the problem for $150 to $300. However, you will probably be

buying a new water heater in the near future if your water heater is more than 10

years old.

When Replacement Is Your Best Choice

Repair is not an option once your water heater starts leaking. The good news is

that newer water heaters are much more energy efficient than the older ones.

They are also less prone to corrosion.

You will typically spend between $500 and $1,000 on purchasing and having a

new water heater installed, but if your new unit meets Energy Star requirements,

you will be able to save up to 20 percent on your energy bill, making the initial

expense worth while.

Maintaining Your Water Heater

One of the key things you can do to keep your water heater functioning for a

long time is to make sure it receives regular maintenance. You will need to

remove the sediment in your water heater by flushing it out once a year. You will

also need to check the anode rode once every three years.

Call us for your water heater maintenance and replacement needs.