Water heaters are one of the unsung heroes of home comfort, working quietly in the background to make sure you have the hot water you need to wash your dishes and clothes, to keep your family clean, and more.
But how much do you know about water heaters? Here are answers to commonly asked questions about this unheralded appliance.
Have more questions about water heater installation or water heater maintenance? Contact JW Pierson today and we’ll be happy to answer!
Q. What are the most important factors to consider when choosing a new water heater?
A. The most important factors to consider when choosing a water heater are:
Q. How should I maintain my water heater?
A. Vital components of your water heater, such as pilot lights and anodes, should be checked regularly to keep your water heater in top running order. Twice per year, you should flush your water heater to remove any scale or sediment build-up (here’s a basic video to show you how).
Tankless water heaters should receive service every year from a licensed professional; with a storage-type water heater, you can schedule maintenance every other year, as long as you flush your tank regularly.
Q. How do I know whether to repair or replace my water heater?
A. If your water heater is less than 10 years old and is in overall good condition, repairing it may be a cost-effective solution. If you are experiencing problems with an older water heater, however, you might want to consider replacing it with a newer model; the efficiency improvement alone could pay for the new unit in a matter of a few years. Along the way, you’ll get more reliable and under-warranty performance.
Q. What is a tankless water heater? What are its advantages?
A. The primary benefit of a tankless water heater is improved efficiency compared to storage-type water heaters, since tankless water heaters instantly heat only the water you need. Tankless water heaters also use electronic ignitions rather than pilot lights, saving more energy.
A second benefit for tankless water heaters is unlimited water heater – as long as water is flowing from your house’s water main into the tankless water heater’s heating element, you will have hot water. This isn’t true with a storage-type water heater, whose output of hot water is limited to the size of the tank.
Tankless water heaters are also more durable, with an average lifespan of 18 years (compared to 10 to 12 for storage-type water heaters), and are considerably more compact – about the size of a suitcase.
Q. What are the disadvantages of a tankless water heater?
A. Tankless water heaters cost more up front than tank-style water heaters do – sometimes twice as much or more. However, when Total Cost of Ownership is considered (maintenance, fuel costs, replacement costs, etc.), tankless water heaters generally come out ahead.
Q. Why should I not attempt to fix my water heater myself?
A. In addition to voiding the heater’s warranty, tackling a water heater installation yourself could be a recipe for disaster (we’ve seen more than a few over the years). Saving a few dollars by installing a water heater yourself isn’t worth the risk to your equipment, your property, or your family. When it comes to water heater installation or maintenance, don’t D.I.Y.!
Shopping for a new water heater? We can help! Contact the pros at JW Pierson today to learn more about water heater installation in NJ, and to get a FREE, no obligation estimate!