Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Guide To Water Heater Replacement

By Brian Winters


Water heaters are easily taken for granted even if it's responsible for generating hot water running in your taps. Having access to warm water is important, especially for taking showers, washing clothes and cleaning dishes. To keep it in its tip-top shape, perform water heater maintenance regularly. Forgetting to inspect your water heater can cause your basement to flood anytime soon. At this point, you might have to take cold showers for a day or two until you buy a replacement unit.

Keep yourself calm whenever you come across water heater issues. Before carrying out any repairs, it is safe to shut down the heating source of the unit. Turn off the circuit breaker if you have an electric heater while shut down the gas supply valve if you have a gas-fired unit. Wipe water puddles as soon as you see them around your water heater to avoid electric shocks. Do not let water enter the tank during the repair process by turning off the cold water supply beforehand. Doing these steps is necessary to protect you from accidents.

To know what necessary actions are needed, inspect your tank on a regular basis. You might want to replace your water heater if you have been using it for over a decade. Old water heaters usually run inefficiently as they age, producing less hot water than they used to in the past. Using an old heating system can also cause your electric bill to soar in the long run.

It is normal for every homeowner to encounter water heater problems. However, this has to stop if you have been carrying out repairs frequently. If your unit has been failing you over a period of time, it's better to invest your hard-earned money in buying a new replacement. Heating systems that have undergone frequent maintenance can stop operating sooner than expected.

Experts recommend buying a new unit right before your old heater breaks down. This will give you sufficient time to look for the best unit for your household needs. Electric water heaters are expected to last for 15 years while gas-fired units can last up to 12 years. Tankless water heaters are more durable than traditional tank-style units. These units don't come with a storage tank, thus, saving you space and energy as they don't need to insulate water at all times. However, you may find these expensive compared to traditional water heaters.

Heating activities can be costly, especially during chilly seasons. To prevent your electric bill from soaring, always make sure all your devices are energy-efficient. Once a water heater starts to operate inefficiently, expect it to consume more energy than it used to. Buying a replacement water heater might do the trick if you've been wanting to decrease your energy costs.

Always do your research whenever it's time to buy a replacement unit. Doing this ensures that all your hot water demands will be met. Strive to have a plan on hand to avoid committing the mistake of buying a water heater haphazardly. You can always ask advice from a specialist if you are not sure what heater will suit your household needs.

Always make sure you have consulted with a professional before buying a replacement unit. Have your water heater checked thoroughly if the damage is beyond any repairs. Sometimes, all it needs is a tweak or two to keep it running smoothly. However, consider buying a replacement if you're tired of water heater repairs that are not so budget-friendly.




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