In our last post, we looked at the all-important inspection and tune-up your heating system needs before the winter arrives. Today, we’re going to look at a different kind of heating preparation for the other major heating system in your home: the water heater.
No water heater lasts forever, although homeowners often treat them as if they’ll never stop working. If you have an aging water heater, it’s better to get ahead of potential problems and arrange during the fall for our technicians to install a new water heater in Staten Island, NY. Let’s take a closer look at making the choice for repalcement… and the choices that come after.
Is your water heater ready to be replaced?
Let’s start with the basics of age. How long will a water heater last? The standard gas-fired storage tank water heater, which is probably the type in your home, usually has a life expectancy between 15 to 20 years, provided it has proper maintenance and any repairs it may need are seen to promptly. An electric water heater may last a bit longer than this. A water heater around 20 years or older is at a much higher chance of developing corrosion, leaks, unreliable performance, and a plunge in efficiency.
There are other signs to watch for indicating a water heater that’s ready for retirement. Higher heating bills (the water heater is one of the major energy-using appliances in a home) may mean the water heater is in decline. If the volume of hot water begins to drop and more people in the morning are getting stuck with lukewarm-to-cold showers, that’s also a significant warning sign of a dying water heater. And any indication of corrosion on the tank often means the water heater must be replaced as soon as possible. There are some cases where corrosion can be repaired, but usually it means it’s the end of the line for the water heater.
Choosing a water heater replacement
We recommend calling us to check out your water heater before you make a final choice about whether to replace it. If the decision is for a replacement, you’ll have another decision ahead: replace it with what?
Yes, you can have another standard storage tank unit put in place, although you might choose a higher efficiency one. Tank water heaters are still popular for some good reasons, and your situation may be one where the tried-and-true is still the best option.
However, you should give some consideration to a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater uses a heat exchanger to heat up water as it passes through the unit, and it only turns on when there is a demand for hot water. This makes tankless water heaters consume less energy than storage tank models, enjoy a longer lifespan, and offer the benefit of an unlimited amount of hot water. On the downside, tankless units cost more and aren’t suited for all households; they can become overwhelmed if there is too much demand from multiple taps.
Let our experts help you with finding and installing the best water heater for your needs!
Bob Mims Heating & Air Conditioning: Serving Staten Island’s Heating and A/C needs since 1955.
