Water heaters are easily among the most important appliances in the home. They are so commonplace, most of us take hot water for granted. Can you imagine a life where you had to take only cold showers? Not pretty. This reason alone makes it important for you to keep track of your water heater, and that includes when to get a new one.
We have put together a quick list for you to go through before deciding you need to give R.S. Andrews a call and have us check the situation out or install a new water heater for you.
Age: On average, a storage (tank) water heater should last between eight and twelve years, give or take. However, if you have an electric model the lifespan can be a bit longer. If you aren’t sure about the age of your water heater, it is usually listed on the Rating Plate that is required to be on all water heaters.
Treatment: Proper maintenance is something that can help extend the life of your water heater beyond the given eight to twelve years. By scheduling annual maintenance checks on your water heater you can help stave off future problems by addressing them before they become an issue. In the long run these preventative measures pay off financially because they help your system live longer and run more efficiently. It’s never too late to give R.S. Andrews a call to schedule one!
If you have a tankless hot water heater, one thing you can do yourself that will go a long way toward making it run as efficiently as possibly and have a long service life is flush it out periodically – here’s how.
Water Temperature and Quality: One of the sure fire ways to tell it’s time to call R.S. Andrews is if you notice distinct changes in the water itself. If your water temperature isn’t quite as hot as it usually is, or you quickly run out of hot water, it’s time to check your water heater. Discoloration or rusty water is the most obvious sign that something is wrong. This can mean that your water heating system is even failing, and you should call R.S. Andrews quickly so we can fix the problem.
Leaks: Another clear cut sign something is wrong with your water heater is the presence of water or moisture around the heater. Leaks can even cause the pilot light to go out, stopping hot water production altogether. If you see moisture around your tank give us a call and we will address the problem as quickly as possible.
If you’re ready to replace your current water heater and upgrade to a tankless model for greater efficiency and comfort, make sure you also check out our Tankless Hot Water Heater Buying Guide Parts One and Two and then call R.S. Andrews today!