5 Tips for Replacing Your Water Heater
In a perfect world, the time to replace a water heater is before it lets you know that it’s time to replace it. That message could come with cold showers or, worse, a rusty tank that creates a flood.
Don’t wait for an emergency to happen. Pay attention to your water heater. If you see any of these issues —especially if you’re dealing with a water heater that is more than 10 years old — it’s time to start looking for a new one.
- Leaks
- A stuck valve
- Tripped circuit breaker
- Pilot light failing
- Malfunctions in the heating element, burner or thermostat
Admiral Propane can help you make buying your next water heater an easy process. Here are some tips.
Know what kind of water heater you have
Go and check your existing water heater. Is it a conventional tank-style, a tankless water heater, or a tankless coil or indirect water heater (both of which heat water using your home’s heating system)? Does it run on propane, fuel oil, natural gas or electricity? Write everything down and have it handy when talking with your Admiral Propane professional. They can help you get the right water heater.
Should you upgrade?
This is a great time to upgrade to a tankless water heater. Why? Because tankless water heaters offer endless hot water on-demand, are more energy efficient, and are much smaller than conventional tank water heaters. They may be more expensive up-front than tank-style water heaters, but they save in the long run. On average, tankless water heaters usually last for about 20 years, compared with between 10 and 12 years for tank-style water heaters.
Speaking of energy efficiency…
Did you know that water heaters account for about 20% of your home’s energy costs? Think about what a big difference a new, more energy-efficient tankless water heater could make in your energy bills. A newer water heater also enhances your home’s resale value by as much as four percent and could help it sell faster.
Think size
Your current tank-style water heater may be too big, or not big enough, for your home and your family. A too-small tank means you’ll have to wait longer between showers as everyone is getting ready in the morning. A too-big tank means you’re wasting money and energy heating water you don’t need. A tankless water heater eliminates that concern, heating all the water you need on-demand for endless hot water.
Consider the total cost
Buying a new water heater isn’t cheap. But this is not an investment to go cheap on. There’s more than just the initial price when determining the value of a new water heater. Compare not just the price of the heater, but installation costs, energy efficiency, fuel costs and life expectancy. The pros at Admiral Propane can help you choose the right water heater. Contact us today!
