Plumbing Service: Everything A Homeowner Needs To Know About Water Heaters | San Antonio, TX
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Apart from having an uncomfortable home during winter, you wouldn’t want your water heater to also malfunction. We need hot water, especially when the temperature starts dropping. In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about your water heater and how to properly maintain it to avoid issues during colder weather. For assistance, please get a professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX.
Components of a Water Heater
Do you know what your water heater is made up of? Below are the components of your system. It’s essential that you also regularly maintain your water heater to ensure that it works efficiently. Get professional plumbing service if you need assistance.
Water heater tank – The tank may hold up to 60 gallons of water or more. The outer layer of the water heater tank is usually covered with insulating materials to ensure that the tank is provided with adequate heating. You may have to get some insulating blankets, though, especially when you have an old water heater at home. Only the newer models are equipped with the insulating material.
You can get some insulating blankets at your local hardware store or contact a plumber for assistance. If you’re planning to buy a new water heater tank, please get professional plumbing service for the installation.
Shut-off valve – The shut-off valve is not inside the water heater but located just above the tank. Its purpose is to stop the water flow that goes into your water heater. In a water heater leak, the first thing a homeowner needs to do is shut off the valve to prevent further problems. If you don’t have a shut-off valve installed near the water heater, please get a plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, today for assistance. We recommend that you have this component installed in case of emergencies. It’ll make it easier to stop the water flow to the tank when there is a leak.
Thermostat – A device that lets you control the temperature of your electric water heater. When the water doesn’t get too cold, please don’t get a professional plumber immediately as the problem could be the thermostat. Instead, check the thermostat first before calling a licensed plumber for assistance.
Dip tube – The tube is for a water heater tank, and it’s where the water enters and then goes to the bottom of the tank where it’s heated. If you’re getting a water heater replaced, please ensure that you get professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, to ensure that the dip tube is installed correctly.
Drain valve – Once a year, you must flush out the sediment build-up in your water heater tank. Failure to flush out the mineral build-up inside the tank could affect the efficiency of your water heater. It’s going to work harder and consume more energy. You’ll need the drain valve to help you empty the water and remove the sediment or debris building up inside the water heater tank. If you need assistance with this, please don’t hesitate to get a professional plumbing service.
Sacrificial anode rod – You’ll need to check the anode rod every two to three years and get help from a plumber if you don’t know how to go about this. It’s usually made with magnesium or aluminum and used to help retard corrosion.
Pressure relief valve – The relief valve is a safety device used to keep the pressure inside your water heater tank within limits. It’s crucial to make sure that the pressure relief valve is working. Otherwise, pressure could build up, and that could lead to equipment failure. If you need more help, please get a professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX.
Are you planning to buy a new water heater for your home? Whether you’re planning to install a tank-type or tankless water heaters, our plumbers can help you make an informed decision on what product to purchase. We’ll also make sure to correctly install it to prevent issues down the road. Get professional plumbing service today for assistance.
Tankless Water Heaters
Also called on-demand water heaters, the tankless version only heats the water when being used. Compared to the water heater tank, no energy is lost as you’re not constantly heating the water. While installing a tankless water heater is more expensive than conventional heaters, it comes with more benefits. Tankless water heaters also last longer compared to tank-type water heaters. They also don’t take up much space. You can easily mount them on the wall, which means you also get to reduce the likelihood of a water leak in the basement or wherever the water heater tank is installed.
When transferring the heat source, tankless water heaters use a heat exchanger. It’s heated through the electric coils or the gas-powered burner, whichever is installed in your home. The heat exchanger then heats the water to your desired temperature.
For installation, please make sure that you only get professional plumbing service to ensure the unit gets properly installed. Poor installation can lead to numerous problems such as inefficiency issues or frequent repairs of your unit. To save money, call a licensed plumber for professional plumbing service. And that’s where we come in. Our plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio are highly experienced with both tank-type and tankless water heaters. We can help you properly install them in your homes.
Whole House and Point-of-use Water Heaters
If you live alone or just with a partner, you can consider installing point-of-use systems to heat just one or two outlets. Ensure that you get professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX, so they can properly install these two devices. They need to be installed closer to the outlet to avoid water loss. Remember, you may lose water because of the lag time, which is the amount of time it takes for the hot water to come out of your faucet.
The whole house system, on the other hand, is a larger system ideal for bigger families. Deciding on what type of system to install in your home depends on how much water you need. We recommend that you get a professional plumbing service so that a plumber can advise you on what is suitable for your home.
Talk to us if you also need help deciding what type of water heater to install in your home. We can discuss the benefits of each kind of water heater to help you make an informed decision.
Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Are you having trouble deciding whether you should go for the tank-type heater or the tankless water heaters? Read the advantages and disadvantages of tankless water heaters to help you determine if it’s right for you or not. Then get a plumbing service for the installation of your new water heater.
Benefits of tankless water heaters:
- So long as you have the right size for your tankless water heater, you’ll never run out of hot water. That means you can continuously use hot water without worrying whether it’s almost empty.
- When it comes to the unit’s lifespan, tankless water heaters can last twice as long as tank-type heaters. For the tank-type heaters, you may need to change them after seven years as it tends to lose their efficiency after years of use. Your tankless water heater can last up to 15 or 20 years, so long as it’s properly maintained. Ensure you get professional plumbing service for the installation to avoid problems down the road.
- If you’re looking for an energy-efficient water heater, then we highly recommend that you install tankless water heaters. Compared to the tank-type heaters, they don’t use up a lot of energy as you’re only consuming energy when you’re getting hot water. It’s going to be more cost-effective in the long run as you get lower bills each month.
- Because they don’t produce greenhouse gases, tankless water heaters are an excellent choice for homeowners concerned about the environment. For installation, please make sure to only get professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX.
- If you’re trying to save up more space in your home, then we recommend that you install tankless water heaters. You don’t need a bigger space for it as you can mount them on the walls.
- You greatly eliminate the risk of flooding in the basement because you don’t have a water heater tank. Water damage can severely damage the foundation of your home, and it may cost you thousands in repairs and restorations. With the tankless water heater installed, you have peace of mind knowing that you won’t have to worry about flooding due to leaks in the water heater tank. To avoid issues with the tankless water heaters, though, it’s still crucial to get professional plumbing service.
- They require less maintenance compared to the tank-type water heater.
Drawbacks of installing a tankless water heater:
- Compared to conventional water heaters, the tankless version is more expensive. Depending on the make and model, it may cost you twice or thrice as much. If you don’t have enough budget for it, then consider other options. Please speak with one of our plumbers so we can help you make a decision.
- It’s crucial to get the correct size of the unit to ensure that you never run out of hot water in your home. Please get a professional plumbing service so we can help you determine what tankless water heater to purchase for your home.
How to Maintain a Water Heater
Regular water heater maintenance is essential to extend the lifespan of your unit. Below are our helpful tips for properly maintaining your water heater.
Insulate the tank – If you have an old water heater tank, please make sure that they are properly insulated. When the water heater tank is installed in the basement, please also ensure that the basement is well protected to avoid heat loss. For other issues, please get a plumbing service so a licensed plumber can help.
Drain the tank – It’s recommended that you drain the water heater tank at least once a year or more when there is a high concentration of hard water in your plumbing. Failure to drain the sediment buildup in the tank could lead to a costly water heater leak or inefficiency problems. If you don’t want to end up with skyrocketing bills or expensive repairs, then drain the water heater tank at least once a year.
Test the anode rod and the pressure relief valve – We recommend that you contact a plumber if you don’t know how to go about this. It’s recommended that both be checked regularly to avoid issues with the water heater.
Replace the filters- If you have a tankless water heater, please ensure the filters are replaced regularly to avoid the build-up of debris or dirt. A dirty filter can still affect the efficiency of your water heater and may even result in getting higher bills. For further assistance, please get in touch with a licensed plumber.
Regular Inspection
Besides doing your maintenance, it’s crucial that you also get it professionally serviced. A regular inspection ensures that all problems are addressed promptly. Getting a regular water heater inspection lets you avoid costly repairs down the road.
Contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of San Antonio
Do you need professional plumbing service in San Antonio, TX? Please reach out to us today! Our plumbers are skilled and experienced with both tank-type and tankless water heaters. Call us at your earliest convenience, and we’ll quickly dispatch a plumber to your home or office. Our priority is always our customer’s satisfaction. Choose us and rest assured that you’ll be delighted with our service. Contact us today for an appointment.
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