Sunday, August 11, 2013

Time To Replace Your Water Heater

By Brian Winters


Replacing a water heater shouldn't be taken so taken so lightly. This kind of heating device is responsible for producing hot water used for doing the laundry, cleaning dishes and taking warm showers. Do not commit the mistake of buying a unit haphazardly to avoid encountering problems in the future. When in doubt, you can always ask help from a specialist for professional help.

Avoid unnecessary disasters by shutting down the heating source of your water heater. This is important since a heater can turn into a dangerous appliance if not handled properly. Before carrying out repairs, make sure the circuit breaker is shut down or the gas supply valve is closed. Do not let water enter the tank by closing the cold water supply valve.

Consider buying an energy-efficient water heater if you've been wanting to reduce the cost of your electric bill. Old water heaters tend to consume more energy than they used to since they now have lesser heating efficiency. Experts recommend selecting tankless water heaterssince they don't use much energy compared to tank-style units.

You may notice your water starting to contaminate if your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan. It is normal to see rusty-colored water running in your hot water taps if the sediments get too heavy for the tank to handle. Draining and flushing the tank helps remove the hard water minerals. However, some sediment may stick inside the tank lining, making it difficult to improve the water quality. At times like this, it's better to buy a replacement unit to protect your family from ingesting contaminated water.

Your internal tank is leaking if you often see signs of moisture right below the tank. At this point, look for holes at the bottom of the unit to see how much the tank has corroded. You have no choice but to buy a replacement unit to solve the problem. Do not try to patch the holes as this can only lessen the efficiency of your unit, resulting in high energy bill. It is important to wipe puddles of water around the water heater to avoid accidents.

If you keep on getting varying water temperature, check your thermostat settings. Someone may have adjusted the temperature without you knowing it. If not, it is possible that your thermostat is not working properly. Have it replaced immediately to continue having hot water running in your taps.

To be able to meet your hot water needs, make sure your storage tank is big enough for the entire household. Small heater tanks produce insufficient hot water supply if you have a big family. Buy a water heater with a larger storage tank or you might want to check tankless water heaters that heat water only when needed.

To avoid inconvenience, it is better to replace your water heater right before it breaks down. Doing this gives you more time to look and shop for different units that can meet your hot water needs. When unsure, do not hesitate to call a specialist for advice.




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