The traditional or conventional water heaters (known as storage or tank water heaters) are the most popular type used in households in the US. They can work on electricity or gas, but both types consist of container that keeps the water hot and ready for later use. And here comes the advantage of the tank water heaters over the tankless ones – they tend to provide hot water with less temperature fluctuations while using energy at a relatively slow rate.

How to select a new Water Heater

Along with the fuel type (gas or electric) and the model (vertical or horizontal), you should keep in mind two more factors when choosing your new water heater:

Cost – The initial expenses for a new water heater are smaller than the ones for the tankless models. However, it is well known that the least expensive models can be the most expensive to operate. To keep your utility bills reduced in the future, we recommend the high-efficient, energy saving water heaters. Always check the EF (Energy Factor) rating. For the gas water heaters it would be typically between 0.50 and 0.60 while for some of the newer models it can reach 0.80.

Capacity –The larger tanks are cost efficient, but you don’t have to pay for hot water that you won’t use. The experienced technicians from Carolina Plumbing Pros can perform a test for the water capacity your household needs and recommend the best solution. The typical sizes for household use range from 20 to 100 gallons.

Water Heater Repairs

Warning: Nowadays you can find many Do-It-Yourself instructions on how to repair a water heater. Before you decide to try one of those, ask yourself if would trust a technician, “educated” from a 2 minute long video instruction. Carolina Plumbing Pros advice: Do not try to perform any repairs unless you are a licensed and qualified specialist! Every diagnostic or repair requires special equipment and technical skills on which your safety depends.

Consult with your local plumbing company if one of the following situations occurs:

While some of the problems seem easy to diagnose and to fix, they may indicate serious issues that can’t be neglected. The discoloration of the water can be caused by iron, copper, other minerals or simply a rusted inner part of the old hot water heater tank itself. The smelly water is typically caused by high concentration of sulfates. The noises from the water heater tank can be caused by expanding and contracting metal parts, by a buildup of scale on the heating elements or sediments at the bottom. The boiling sounds are indication of overheating and dangerous pressure increase. In that case you should call a professional immediately.

Water Heater Maintenance

The regular maintenance and inspections of the hot water heater will not only ensure your safety, but will keep your bills at the same level and extend the unit’s life. Without that the sediment buildups can be a reason for the water heater to underperform or become damaged. Every water heater issue can cost less if detected early.

The licensed technicians from Carolina Plumbing Pros are specially trained to install or repair all kinds of gas and electric water heaters. Backed by 30 years of experience, we guarantee your safety by providing the best local water heater service at a reasonable price.

See also: Tankless Water Heaters – New Installations, Repair and Replacement