Like all of the appliances in your home, water heaters don’t last forever. They also tend to lose their efficiency every year. The secret to maximizing the life of your water heater is to properly maintain it. If you have a conventional water heater, you can expect that to last between 7 to 10 years while the tankless water heater can last 15-20 years. If your unit is no longer efficient, we suggest you contact a plumber in Rockville, MD for an inspection. We’ll help you decide whether it’s best to get a water heater replacement.
When Is the Best Time to Replace the Water Heater?
How long have you been using the water heater? Is it still efficient? If you’ve been using it for several years and you keep having issues with the unit such as not having enough hot water or fluctuating water temperatures, we suggest you consider water heater replacement. Talk to our plumbers at Rockville, MD, so we can help you make an informed decision about your water heater. In some cases (especially when your unit is no longer efficient) getting water heater replacement may be the most cost-effective idea. With a new and efficient unit, you’ll be able to save money on utility costs. Don’t worry, talk to us if you need help and we’ll gladly assist.
Another reason to get a water heater replacement is when you keep calling a plumber for repairs. Remember, the repair costs can actually add up over time. It will be wiser to get a new unit instead and it’ll be less stressful too.
And should you decide to get a water heater replacement, consider going for the tankless water heater especially when your goal is to save energy. The tankless unit doesn’t have standby heat loss because it only consumes energy when you actually use the shower or the faucet. If your first priority is to save money, the tankless water heater would be the best option. The only downside to getting the tankless unit is that it’s more expensive than the standard water heater. However, you do get to save money in the long run because of the energy savings.
How to Extend the Life of Your Water Heater
For the standard water heater, one of the things you can do is to periodically check it for any wear and tear or damage. Do this especially when you’re having issues with your plumbing such as low water pressure and hard water. Sediment can build up faster when the water pressure is low or when you have hard water. You can combat this by flushing the water heater and getting rid of the sediment build-up.
Ideally, you should drain the water heater at least once a year but you may need to do it more than once when water pressure is low and you have high concentrations of hard water in your plumbing. It can be stressful to keep doing this more than once, so speak with a plumber to resolve the water pressure issue. For hard water, consider installing a water softener to soften your water. If you want to know your other options, speak with our plumbers so we can help you decide what to do with your water heater.
If they fail to drain the water heater, the sediment can accumulate and eventually will cause more problems. The mineral buildup can affect the efficiency of your water heater; after a time, you may keep running out of hot water — this is because you no longer have enough room for it because of the sediment building up. If you leave this problem unaddressed for months, the water heater tank can leak and you’ll have an even bigger problem. Because when the tank leaks, you may have no choice but to get a replacement.
Additionally, if you’re having issues with your water heater, never postpone any inspections or you might end up with a catastrophic repair, something that will cost you a fortune or you might even end up getting a replacement in no time. Be a responsible homeowner to ensure your plumbing stays in excellent shape and you get to save more money. For further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Clarksburg Plumbing. We do more than just help with water heater replacement. Our plumbing experts can also professionally install your unit or help you decide which type of water heater is best for your home. Talk to us today and we’ll quickly dispatch a plumber to your location.
Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
If you’re planning to save more money or want to sell your home in the future, we suggest buying the tankless water heater for your water heater replacement. Compared to the standard water heater, the tankless is a lot more energy efficient. It also lasts longer, up to 20 years when maintained properly. You can also save some space as you can just install the tankless unit to the bathroom wall. You also reduce the chances of leaks in the basement if there’s no tank. And as long as you have the right flow rate for your entire household, you will never run out of hot water when you have the tankless water heater installed. For installation though, make sure to only hire a licensed plumber. It’s the only way to ensure the correct installation of your unit and avoid a costly water heater repair or water heater replacement after just a few years. Talk to us so we can help you decide.
Contact Clarksburg Plumbing
Do you need a water heater replacement for your home in Rockville, MD? If so, we’re here to help make sure you get the one you need. Our plumbing experts can install all types of water heaters. We can also help with any plumbing repairs, drain cleaning or leak detection.
Call Clarksburg Plumbing today for an appointment.
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