How Much Do You Know About Your Water Heater?
You have your thing, and we have ours. At Stewart Plumbing our expertise lies in water heaters. We are experts in water heater maintenance, repair, and installation, and we’re here to help you learn everything you need to know about these everyday appliances.
We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions surrounding water heaters, and we’d like to share the answers with you. Maybe, after reading this post, water heaters will be your “thing,” too.
Water Heater Frequently Asked Questions
- Are all water heater companies the same? If you need a quick, inexpensive fix sometimes renting a water heater is a good solution. When renting a water heater, it’s smart to know who your service provider is and exactly what you are signing up for. Keep these questions in mind before signing a contract – What company do you represent? How long is the contract for? Are there charges to exit the contract if I’m unhappy? And how long have you been in the water heater business?
- What size water heater should I choose? There are a number of different factors to consider when deciding on the size water heater you need, one of them being the size of your family. If, for example, your family has grown in size since you purchased the home and/or water heater, you probably aren’t getting enough hot water. This means you should probably think about getting a larger tank to accommodate all of your needs. The opposite goes for a family that has downsized. You could be paying for a bigger tank without needing to, and that wastes money.
- Why do I smell rotten eggs coming from my water heater? That rotten egg odor is caused by bacteria forming on the anode rod. At that point, your best bet would be to replace that part.
- Can I lower my water temperature? There are some shower heads and faucets out there that offer a feature that helps prevent scalding by shutting off the water if the temperature exceeds 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Another option you have is to install a master mixing valve at the hot water line coming out of your unit that will allow your water to stay at 140 degrees, but deliver the water at less than 122.
- How do I know when it’s time to replace my water heater? Rust colored hot water, moisture around the base of the tank, and inconsistent or inefficient hot water are a few ways you will know if it’s time for a replacement.
- Should I purchase a gas or electric water heater? While we can’t tell you what’s best for your family, we can offer some benefits of both. Natural gas water heaters are less expensive to operate, and tend to last longer. Electric ones are cleaner and can be installed in more enclosed areas. Whichever you choose, though, Stewart Plumbing can install either of them!
- What is the purpose of the red reset button on my electric water heater? The red button is the temperature safety control and it pops out when the water temperature in the tank has gone up to an unsafe level. Pushing that button only serves as a temporary solution, and you will probably end up needing to replace the faulty part in the end.
- What is a tankless water heater? In short, a tankless water heater is an “on demand” type of system. This means that water is only used and heated as needed so you don’t pay astronomical heating costs.
- Why do water heaters make so much noise? Actually, water heaters shouldn’t be making that much noise, so if yours is that means something is wrong. Typically, a loud banging sound means you have a sediment buildup inside your tank that needs to be flushed out.
- How hot is the water in my heater? It’s suggested by manufacturers that you keep your water heater at 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and most systems come preset that way.
- Is it beneficial to drain my water heater? Absolutely! Manufacturers suggest that you drain it on a six month basis to keep sediment from building up.
So, do you feel like an expert yet? If not, feel free to call us at Stewart Plumbing today and we’ll be happy to answer any questions, or schedule a water heater maintenance, repair, or replacement appointment!
