Top 10 FAQs About Hot Water Heaters
As a homeowner, water heater questions usually only arise when it’s not working, or it’s a water heater actively flooding your house. Keep reading to get all the water heater answers for your questions to maintain its lifecycle!
There are many signs that your water heater isn’t working properly. Of course, there are the obvious ones, such as not getting hot water for your shower or the unpleasant appearance of a water puddle in the basement.
If you’ve been experiencing issues with your hot water heaters or think that something is off about their performance, we’ve got you covered.
Read for a full breakdown of the top ten most frequently asked questions about hot water heaters.
Why Do I Keep Running Out Of Hot Water
Running out of hot water quicker than usual is a sign that your water heater is about due for some fixes, as it must not be heating up the cold water well enough anymore.
There are many potential reasons why your water heater isn’t warming up your water the way it should. For instance, your water heater can have a broken dip tube. In addition, it might be an issue with the lower heating element, especially if your water heater is electric.
Why Does My Water Heater Keep Leaking
Not all water heater leaks are the same. All are problematic, but some are more dangerous than others.
You’d be surprised to learn that 13.7% of all water use is caused by leaks, regardless of their “danger” level. Start by doing some leak detection on your own. Then, call in professionals to investigate the leaks and overflows.
First, make sure to take a closer look at your water heater. Check everywhere, especially the bottom. You might be able to see a pipe fitting that has become loose or an obvious issue. The more details you can provide your water heater repair professional, the better.
Why Does The Water Take Forever To Heat Up
If your water heater takes too long to heat water, the issue might be with how your house plumbing is set up.
Thankfully, these are rarely a cause for concern. For example, if you have a ranch-style house, you probably have longer pipelines. The longer the pipelines, the longer it takes for the warm water to reach your faucets, causing longer waits for the water heater to heat the water. You cannot expect to get instant hot water.
How Can I Conserve Heated Water
Learning how to save heated water can help you reduce your electricity bills. There are a couple of simple things aspiring hot water savers can do.
Start by getting some low-flow showerheads. In addition, make sure you’re keeping up to date on your water heating maintenance to remove any buildup and check on your water heater’s performance.
Is Putting Drain Pans Under A Water Heater Recommended
Whether you should put dried pans for your water heater depends on where it is placed.
If your water heater is in enclosed spaces like an interior closet or the attic, then it’s highly recommended that you have sheet metal pans under your water heater. This way, you’re moderately protected in case there are leaks.
What Considerations Do You Suggest When Sizing A Replacement Water Heater
Getting the right size for a new water heater will depend on a couple of factors:
- Are you still pleased with getting the same amount of hot water, or do you find yourself wondering, “How large of a water heater do I need to have enough water for the whole family?”;
- Are you planning on moving in the near future? Consider the size of your house and what a prospective buyer would like to see. For example, if your family consists of four people, you may need to research the correct heater size for four people.
Moreover, you’ll have to consider where you stand on energy and water conservation issues.
What Is The Best Water Heater For Me To Purchase
It’s the same rule as the previous questions. It’ll depend on your needs and budget. You could also look at various reviews. Here are some of the important factors you need to keep in mind:
- Future water demands;
- Size and usage of your home;
- The need for a warranty.
After doing some research, you’ll have a good idea for choosing a water heater for your house. You’ll find that regular water heaters will come in a size range of 30 to 100 gallons.
Furthermore, there are different types of water heaters on the market. You can choose water heaters that run on gas, electricity, propane, and high-efficiency water heaters.
What Does The Energy Factor (EF) Of A Water Heater Mean
In your search for a new water heater, you’ll find a lot of different EF rankings.
It stands for Energy Factor, meaning it is one of the High-efficiency water heater brands that measure the overall energy used in heating your daily water consumption in your house system.
Why Does My Hot Water Smell Bad
It isn’t pleasant to deal with if your hot water smells like sulfur or rotten eggs. Yet, there are multiple benign causes of unpleasant water smells coming from your water heater.
It all has to do with the mineral compound in the water supply interacting with the insides of your water heater, which creates these odors.
Depending on the chemical content of your water, hydrogen, sulfur, and bacteria might react with each other, causing that “rotten egg” smell.
Usually, the smell should be faint. In addition, the magnesium anode rod protects your boiler tank surface (more about boiler service), however, it might slightly react with hydrogen, which also can create an odor once it gets in contact with sulfur or water.
Ready To Get Your Water Heater Checked Out
Hot water heaters are unsung heroes, and we tend to forget about them until they stop working properly.
We know that it can be a bit nerve-wracking when you’re facing a water heater issue that you know nothing about.
Yet, we hope that our top ten most frequently asked question responses were able to help you identify the severity of your water heater problem.
As always, it’s key to call in the professionals for regular maintenance and to contact us if you’re not sure about the nature of your plumbing problem.
For now, check out our blog to learn about the glaring signs that your sewage line needs repair.
Call The Professionals
Call Fischer Plumbing Right Away And Get The Best Sewer Line Repair Service At Your Doorstep.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Water leaks are the most common problem with water heaters. In the long run, the water can corrode the tank and cause leaks.
Tankless water heaters need a separate gas line because of the pressure differences. They require more gas when it’s time to heat the water. They may use less energy overall but pull in a high pressure when heating is required.
A tankless water heater can be installed in an old home, but certain electrical and plumbing modifications may be required to cater to the system. These upgrades may be necessary for installation and ensuring better water quality and pressure.
