Surprising Benefits to Consider for Water Heater Replacement
How often do you think about your hot water heater? If you’re like most people, not much. A hot water heater is usually something that gets taken for granted—out of sight, out of mind. Until it isn’t.
Cold showers will be the least of your worries if your basement starts flooding with up to 50 gallons of water from a leaky old tank, damaging your floors, walls, and belongings. As a general rule of thumb, traditional tank storage water heaters should last 10 – 15 years. If you’re close to hitting that milestone, it might be time to consider upgrading your system.
Gas, electric, solar powered, tankless, different sizes—with so many types of hot water heaters to choose from nowadays, it is important to take your time to find the best option for your family and home. Don’t wait for disaster to strike, or you’ll end up rushing to purchase whatever will get your hot water running again as quickly as possible. This could potentially cost you more than you need to spend for something that might be less than ideal.
If you need another reason to start exploring hot water heater replacement, here are 5 additional benefits that may surprise you!
1. Higher efficiency. Newer hot water heaters help reduce waste and save energy. Better insulation and less time to heat the water makes hot water heaters more efficient. When less energy is used, greenhouse gas emissions are lower.
Pro tip: Look for the Uniform Energy Factor rating (UEF). This number calculates how much energy it takes to produce your hot water output. The higher the number, the more efficient it is.
2. Bigger savings. It goes without saying that the more efficient your hot water heater is, the less it will cost you to run it. Another advantage of a new hot water heater is that it also requires less maintenance.
Pro tip: As hot water heaters age, they require more energy to work correctly. Pay attention to your utility bills—if you see a spike in costs, it could be because your existing unit is beginning to fail.
3. Quieter conditions. Older units tend to be louder when they run than their newer counterparts, but they also make more noise as they age. You might be shocked to hear the reduction in white noise when you replace your clunky, old hot water heater.
Pro tip: Sediment buildup in hot water heater tanks is common, but as it hardens, it might start to move around and make knocking or rumbling noises. If you hear unusual sounds, call your plumber to have it checked.
4. Less space. Newer hot water heaters are more streamlined, especially tankless units. These small rectangular units are mounted to a wall, giving you more storage space.
Pro tip: Because there is no big bulky storage tank, a typical large tankless hot water heater only takes up a space of about 24 inches square with a depth of 10 inches. There are other factors to consider before you go tankless, though; talking to a professional can help you decide if it is right for you.
5. Longer showers. As your household grows, so do your hot water needs. A new hot water heater can help you accommodate more people by increasing the size of your tank. Also, a better recovery rate means hot water will replenish faster, allowing your family to take multiple back-to-back showers and ensuring no one gets left in the cold.
Pro tip: Tankless units heat water on demand, meaning there is no end to the amount of your hot water supply.
Want to learn more about the different kinds of hot water heaters available and what would be best for your unique home? Ask a Blue Dot professional plumber! We’re happy to answer your questions and find the best solution for you. Reliable home comfort is just a call or click away.
Call 785-272-1633 or request a free consultation here to connect with a Blue Dot expert!
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