Springfield Plumbing

When Do You Need A New Water Heater?

If you already have a water heater and are thinking about replacing it, you may benefit from talking with a professional about the right time to take this step. Replacing the water heater may be a good decision if it needs to be repaired frequently, the tank has leaks or signs of corrosion, your heating bills are too high, your water is rust-colored, or your system is more than 10 years old.

You may also want to consider a new water heater if you are purchasing a new home and don’t know the history of the water heater. Our technicians can always inspect the current system to see how reliable it is and whether or not it will need to be replaced soon, but some homeowners wish to start with appliances that they know will serve them well.

Determining The Right Water Heater For Your Home

When you decide to replace your system or install a new one in your home, your technician at Jennings will want to discuss which type of water heater is best for your house, as well as the right size for your needs. There are two basic types of systems and we discuss the pros and cons of each below to help you determine which is better for you.

• HOT WATER TANKS. We are all familiar with the hot water tank because it is what is in most homes in the Springfield area. These large units take up space in the closet of your home and they are the reason that you may only be able to take one or two showers in a row before running out of water. However, despite these drawbacks, hot water tanks are still a very good option for many homes. They run reliably for up to 15 years, are easy to maintain, and are cheap and fast to install. Not only this but there are also many energy-efficient options on the market that will save you money so you can feel good about installing these systems.
• TANKLESS WATER HEATERS. At first glance, it may seem like there are no drawbacks to tankless water heaters. They last at least twice as long as traditional tank systems and they are much more efficient. They heat water as needed so there is no limit as to how long your showers are or how many you can take in a row. Additionally, they are very small and they can be installed in inconspicuous areas, allowing you to have more freedom with your space. However, just as with any system, there are a few cons to installing tankless water heaters. When compared to traditional systems, they are much more expensive to purchase and install, and often the installation process is arduous and complicated. They can also be a little more difficult to maintain, and they can sometimes struggle to produce enough hot water if you have several hot water sources running at the same time. Don’t be surprised to have a cold shower if you are also trying to run a load of laundry.

In the end, it comes down to what your family needs from the water heater. If you have low water needs and don’t mind affordably replacing your system after a little over a decade, a storage tank system can be a great choice. Otherwise, ask us about tankless water heater installations.