Few things catch a homeowner’s attention more quickly than taking a cold shower. If the water in your tank has become lukewarm, this could be a telltale sign that its anode rod has worn away and your heater may soon reach the end of its useful lifespan.
Consider your household needs and available fuel sources when looking for a water heater. If you are interested in warranty options, read this article from Cinch Home Services.
Gas
Gas heaters tend to be both more cost-effective and energy-efficient. Electric models use energy even when not being used, making their operation more costly than the equivalent gas models.
Standard gas water heaters consist of an outer steel tank containing a pressure-tested, sealed water storage container. A burner positioned underneath the tank heats the water when ignited by way of a thermocouple and pilot light system; once outgoing exhaust gases leave through a hollow flue with spiral metal baffles to capture some heat for reuse later.
Search your water heater’s pilot light for an indication that it runs on gas; some models even feature venting that allows it to be vented through walls while other have dedicated vent systems.
Electric
Electric water heaters tend to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than their gas counterparts, as well as eliminating the risks of gas leaks or carbon monoxide exposure in your home, being perfect even for condos. Electricity can be produced using renewable resources like solar and hydro power, so going electric helps reduce fossil fuel dependence while keeping carbon monoxide out of your home. Plus, with no need to vent gas tanks regularly if a gas leak or carbon monoxide threat emerges!
Many homes already have an existing 240-volt connection running to their water heater area, making it relatively straightforward for experienced do-it-yourselfers to install an electric water heater unit themselves. Furthermore, electric tanks come in a wider selection of sizes–even point-of-use options!
An electric water heater can be easily identified from its exterior by inspecting its pipework and flue vent. You should see this pipe entering the bottom of the tank that leads up to an adjustable metal flue vent that lets combustion gases escape the unit. In addition, look out for black or copper wires coming into the top of the tank that are used to heat water directly.
Tankless
Tankless water heaters use either gas or electricity to heat water as needed instead of storing it for later. As they don’t take up much room when mounted to walls, tankless heaters tend to be more energy efficient and save space than storage tank units.
These heaters can be installed to run on either natural gas or propane and require a vent to carry away combustion exhaust; an inconspicuous pipe through either roof or wall provides this function and delivers fresh air into the burner.
Your hot-water temperature depends on both the volume of water your unit must heat and your plumbing setup, so having professional help choose a suitable unit size can make all the difference in terms of usage, plumbing needs and efficiency. They’ll consider your family’s expected water usage as well as any pipe work needed, plumbing connections and electrical setup in your home as they install recirculation pumps to increase efficiency; additionally they will perform annual vinegar flushes to prevent calcium carbonate build-up from clogging the heat exchanger and cause potential blockages in future heat exchangers!
