How to identify if your water heater needs replacing?

There are many factors that can lead to a water heater needing replacement. Is it leaking? Is it producing less hot water than before? Has the temperature dropped in your home even though you haven't changed anything in your routine? These are all questions to consider when determining if your water heater needs replacing. If you're not sure, here is what you should look for in order to find out for yourself!  

If you are concerned about whether your water heater needs replacing, use this information to guide you. Determining the age of your unit is important because it can affect how often you need to replace a water heater . If your home was built before 1993, it contains a high-risk water heater that uses an anode rod to prevent corrosion. This type of system has been known to explode due to accumulations of bacteria on the heating element or rust that had built up in the tank over time. 

If you have an older model of a low-cost point-of-use electric water heater manufactured , there is also a chance that it could be containing these same materials.  

The number one way for homeowners discover if they have one of these older water heaters is through an electric surge. If you tend to lose power in your home frequently, it is time to consider buying a new water heater.

Information about the newer models available has recently become more prominent so homeowners can easily identify what type of model would best suit their needs without getting overwhelmed by research beforehand. Some people choose tankless water heaters if their hot-water usage demands are not too high because tankless units offer many benefits that storage models do not have. They can save money on energy bills and repair costs, are easy to install yourself at home, require less space than traditional appliances, and never run out of hot water no matter how demanding or frequent your family's needs are for hot water.

If you have a family of one or two people, it may also be cost effective for you to get a small-capacity single-tank electric model. You can still get enough hot water from these types of models even though they are smaller because the elements are located near the top of the tank rather than in the middle.

For families with three or more members that use a lot of hot water daily, a better choice would be a large-capacity storage model. These larger appliances come equipped with powerful heating elements and an insulated bottom tank, keeping them running efficiently while providing enough capacity for big households. A 50 gallon electric model is generally sufficient if there is only one person in your home who never needs to take long showers; however, larger capacities are recommended for homes that have more than one person who takes long showers or baths every day.

However, there is also a chance that you may never need to replace your water heater if you catch problems early enough and do what needs to be done. If you notice rust or calcium buildup around or below your appliance's burner area, this could mean it is time for cleaning maintenance before serious damage occurs. It would also be wise to have your unit inspected at least once annually by a professional plumber to repair and installing a water-heater.

If you decide to buy a natural gas model, keep in mind that you must pay extra to install it since natural gas is not available everywhere. They are also typically more expensive up front and less energy-efficient than electric models due to their lower capacity. However, they are at least twice as efficient as their electric counterparts because water doesn't need to be heated twice like it does with electric models.

The main benefit of having a tankless system is that there will never be any temperature fluctuations or surprises with this type of appliance because the unit only heats the water that goes into the machine for immediate use. If you want an appliance that heats the water for your entire home, tankless units are not the best choice because it will be less efficient and more costly. You can get an instant hot-water supply using a recirculating pump that is compatible with any type of storage model, but it requires installation by a contractor to ensure you get everything hooked up properly.

Inspections will help identify small problems before they become big ones, saving you a lot of money in the long run. If your appliance is past the age of 15 years old or less, always consider replacing it once a problem arises since water heaters can wear out over time.

Be safe if you choose to do it yourself: Get assistance from an expert if safety concerns arise when attempting hot-water heater maintenance or repairs on your own to ensure nothing goes wrong. Call a professional to inspect your water heater as well as clean and service any issues found before they become dangerous. 

Conclusion : The final question you need to ask yourself is, "does the water heater work?" If it doesn't produce hot water, or if it's rusty and leaking, then your best bet would be to call a professional. There are many different signs that point towards needing a new water heater installed in your home--rusty pipes, slow draining sinks and toilets, lack of pressure when running the faucet. But before you make any rash decisions about replacing an old appliance with a new one (which can get expensive), take some time to assess whether or not this really is necessary. You might just have sediment buildup from hard water on the heating element which will clear up after cleaning off regularly! Contact us for advice today by calling all star plumbing and restoration.

Author Bio:- Laura Harnes 

Laura is a marketing manager at EZ PLUMBING USA. With years of experience in the plumbing industry, she loves to create awareness about the causes, problems, and repair solutions of water damage and slab leak. She shares expert tips to lower utility bills and keep your AC, heater, and other appliances in optimum condition leading to longer lifespan.

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