How to Know When to Upgrade the Water Heater

Valentine’s Day is the day of love. Still, in many cases, it causes people to address problems they see in their toxic relationships, such as the poisonous relationship that many homeowners have with their water heater. The signs of a failing relationship can be subtle or obvious, but the result is the same: things just aren’t working out. 

It may be time to start fresh with a water heater replacement instead of suffering through cold showers and trying to make things work. Take this relationship advice from a local water heater service and learn how better to manage the home’s relationship with its water heater. 

The Age Gap

One of the things that homeowners need to focus on with their water heater is the age gap. The age of a water heater is a great predictor of its health and longevity. When the water heater gets too old, it will lose efficiency and have a greater risk of catastrophic failure. But how do homeowners know when to replace it? Here are a few tips:

• Conventional water heaters with a tank, whether gas or electric, last on average 8-12 years. 
• Tankless water heaters regularly last more than 20 years regardless of the power source. 

Once a water heater nears the end of the indicated age ranges, it will become more and more likely to fail. Preemptive replacement is an excellent idea because it can prevent a home from going without hot water while a new water heater is installed. 

Leaks Make it a One Way Street

A deal-breaker for a water heater is the presence of leaks. There are a few occasions where one may repair a leaky water heater, but the tank will need to be replaced in most cases. The presence of leaks can be determined by:

• The presence of water in the drain pan
• Damaged flooring around the water heater
• Rusty spots on the water heater sheathing or piping
• Musty odors near the water heater
• Hissing noises and pilot light failure

Make Sure the Water Heater is Sized Properly: Sometimes water heaters are too small for their demands. Upgrading to a bigger size can help meet the needs of a growing family. 

Schedule Water Heater Maintenance: A professionally maintained water heater will last longer and be more efficient than a water heater left alone. 

Check for Performance: If the water heater is having trouble keeping up, the burner may be out of tune, or a heating element may be out. One can discover this during maintenance or a water heater tune-up. Homeowners can also watch their bills for spikes in prices. 

About Vern Kummers Plumbing, Inc.

Vern Kummers Plumbing, Inc. has been serving customers for nearly 50 years. They have an impressive service record and fast response times. Call Vern Kummers Plumbing, Inc. today for excellent water heater service in Green Bay, WI. 

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