Tell Tale Signs
No one wants to step into his shower and get doused with freezing water just because his heater wasn’t working. Are you among the people experiencing problems with their Saskatoon water heaters? Here are some telltale signs that you might need to say goodbye to your old one.
Age of the Unit
The most obvious indicator of replacement is the water heater’s age. Particularly if it has been used for more than its expected 10- to 13-year lifespan. This applies to conventional storage-tank water heaters. You’ll find that there are more types of water heaters available in the market. Most of these offer energy efficiency to help you save more in the long run.
Recurring Woes
Hot water tanks generally contain few moving parts. There are only a few things that might go awry. There’s the possibility of the pilot light on your water heater flickering out. The thermostat breaking, the circuit breaker tripping, or the valve sticking are other potential problems. While it is possible to repair or replace these parts for less cost, there’s still the possibility that these problems will recur, especially if your unit is more than 10 years old.
The main problem that warrants an immediate replacement is when your water heater tank begins to spring a leak, which even repair services might not be able to fix. This happens when the water minerals react to the steel found in tanks, which then gradually corrodes it. Fortunately, modern water heaters are now manufactured in such a way as to prevent corrosion, thus making them less prone to leaks.
Choosing a New Water Heater
To avoid many of the problems associated with hot water tanks, you can go for tankless water heaters instead. This type of unit can be a great choice for people living in fairly confined spaces, for this typically takes up little space. Moreover, these appliances use 20 to 30 percent less energy than other types of heaters and are expected to last for as long as 20 or more years depending on how well you maintain them.
If you’re still using a hot water tank in Saskatoon, now is the best time to go tankless with a tankless water heater, which can be expertly installed by companies like Perfection Plumbing & Drain Cleaning Ltd.
Sources:
When It’s Time for a Water Heater Replacement, House Logic
Water heater buying guide, Consumer Reports