If your hot water heater has developed a leak and the water can’t be turned off, it could spill tens of gallons of water into your house or property. Just an inch of water can lead to mold and other problems in your property. Prolonged water exposure make your eventual repair bill much higher. Contact a professional service provider like Frederick Water Heaters and have it repaired before it gets worse than it should and becomes a catastrophe.
We work on all brands and models of water tanks. Our pros can quickly diagnose and repair many of the usual issues and save you from having to buy a replacement water heating unit. However, if repairing or extending the life of your unit is not possible, we will help you to figure out the best possible replacement unit based on your situation. Reach out to a professional service like Frederick Water Heaters to figure out your best alternatives.
While water tanks are hardly ever thought about, they do require regular maintenance to operate efficiently. A regular maintenance schedule can also extend the life of your water heater and prevent leaks and other problems before they unexpectantly arise. Get in touch with a professional hot water heater service provider such as Frederick Water Heaters to discuss getting on a regular maintenance schedule that will maximize the life of your water heater.
Conventional Water Heaters are the most common types and most likely the kind you are most familiar with. They are also called storage tank water heaters. They consist of an insulated tank in which water is heated and kept until ready for use. There are electric water heaters and natural gas water heaters. Natural gas heaters use less energy but can be more costly and difficult to install. Whether gas or electric, Conventional water heaters need to be maintained regularly to operate optimally over time. They should be drained and flushed at least once every 12 months. Depending on how well you’ve maintained, the life expentancy of a conventional water heater is 10-12 years. Please see this interesting video which explains how conventional water heaters operate.
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Also known as on-demand, and you’ll see why. Tankless water heaters heat the water without the need of a storage container. They heat the water directly with the use of intense application of heat against water filled coils. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels by way of a pipe into the unit. Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water. As a result, tankless water heaters provide a continuous supply of hot water. If you are part of a large household and tend to run out of hot water before everyone has batheed, a tankless water heater maintains a steady supply of heated water. On the plus side, tankless water heaters are more efficient energy-wise. On the minus side, they tend to be more expensive intially. Electric varieties could necessitate an upgrade of the property’s electrical capacity. Gas models could require installing a larger diameter gas line, a potentially costly undertaking. Your Water Heater Specialist can assist you in coming to the best option. Like conventional water heaters, tankless water heaters need to be descaled of minerals at least once annually to keep them working at their best. Click here for an interesting video which details how Tankless Water Heaters operate.
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Also known as hybrid electric water heaters, they capture heat from the surrounding air or from the ground and transfer it to the water. They are initially more expensive than regular electric varieties, but use about 60% less energy.
They’re not as good in very cold spaces. Because the heat pump is on top of the appliance, a hybrid unit could require as much as a 7-foot clearance from floor to ceiling. Here is a video which explains how this works.
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Solar hot water heaters operate by utilizing roof-mounted solar panels that take in the sun’s heat and and moves the heat to an antifreeze-like fluid through a closed-loop circuit of copper coil pipes in your hot-water tank that transfers the heat to the water. The very best solar water heaters deliver surprising savings in summertime, making them attractive for hot, sunny parts of the county. Where available, our water heater pro will help you in deciding which kind of solar hot water heater is right for you. Here’s a short video detailing how it works.
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Condensing water heaters are a highly efficient type of water heater for homes that heat with gas and require a capacity of more than 55 gallons.
Condensing water heaters operate using the same technology as a conventional gas water heater and are no more difficult to install. The primary difference is that condensing gas tank water heaters are designed to transfer and retain more heat into the water than a conventional gas water heater. This results in less wasted heat and reduces total energy use.
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Manufacturer’s use 120 degrees Fahrenheit as a pre-setting. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 120° F for the best balance of heat and efficiency. For most people, this is a comfortable setting. For older models, setting it to medium should do it.
The cause could be a broken dip tube, which prevents warm and cold water from mixing in the tank. If you have an electric heater, it could be that the lower heating element has failed. While some of these issues could be resolved with repairs, it might be time to start planning for a new water heater very soon.
A water leak may not sound like something to worry about, but 13.7% of all water use is the result of leaks, according to the Plumbing Manufacturers International. Water leaks could be from a loose pipe fitting or could be that the internal tank has a crack. If possible, try to ascertain where the leak is coming from so you can give a better explanation to the water heater service company over the phone. Leaks can be the result of a faulty temperature and pressure relief valve, improper water pressure, a stuck valve, a bad gasket, overheating, a leak from a plumbing connection, loose heating element bolts, or a leaking tank. Leaks can often be repaired but a widespread leaking issue might indicate a replacement of the whole system.
Rust colored water may indicate corrosion of the tank’s inner lining, usually caused by a failing anode rod. It’ll be best to contact a professional water heater technician to see if replacing the anode rod will fix the issue. Otherwise, you’ll need to replace your water heater.
This is most often caused by sediment build-up. You can try to fix this problem by flushing the water heater. If you flush the water heater and the problem continues, or if the sediment buildup is too great, you may need to replace your water heater.
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