Water Heater Shopping? Consider What It'll Cost You First

LOOKING FOR SUPERIOR PLUMBING SERVICES - TULSA

When shopping for a new water heater, first you need to know which factors impact the total amount you will spend from the purchase price to installation. The costs can have wide variations depending on the type you choose and the condition of current plumbing connections.Each installation is different and can incur different costs.

• Consider whether your replacement will be a storage tank unit or a tankless unit. Will you need more than one tankless unit to meet your family's water demands?

• Will you be using natural gas or electricity?

• Are current connections up to code?

• What will it take to make sure your new unit operates safely and effectively?

Signs You Need a Water Heater Replacement

Think of this: you've just gotten in the shower, and your water pressure is low. In addition, it's taking a longer amount of time for your water to heat up. The hot shower you've been longing for turns into an icy race to rinse off.

The culprit? A water heater is on its way out. Other things that can happen are unexpected leaks from your water heater. You may visit your utility room only to find a small flood around your water heater, signaling trouble.

Other signs of a water heater in need of replacement are poor water quality, a temperature that frequently fluctuates, and the overall age of your appliance.

On average, a maintained water heater should last you anywhere from 8 to 12 years. After that, you should be looking into a new water heater system.

Many times, looking at the cost you see at the Big Box stores do not cover the entire cost once installation is performed.  Items such as local permits/inspections, along with new updated connections, safety/code requirements, and warranties are not considered until after you have purchased the unit.  It has been our experience that once all these are factored, the actual end resulting cost are very similar. Hiring a qualified, licensed plumbing professional to install your new water heater might save you money down the road, and headaches now. The professional knows the local plumbing requirements and is educated in making sure your new unit is working properly. Installation can be a safety risk. If not installed properly, your family could be in danger. If you want more expert advice before shopping for a water heater, or other home comfort needs for your Greater Tulsa Metropolitan Area home or business, contact us at Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing today. Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

Water Heater Sizing, Installation, Maintenance and Operation Tips

Are you looking at buying a new water heater? Make sure it’s the right size first. Then, become familiar with tips for installing, maintaining and operating your water heater for long-term savings.

Water Heater Sizing

Even if your last tank seemed to do its job well, don’t assume it was the ideal capacity. To size a new water heater, add up how much hot water your household consumes during the busiest hour of an average day. This is your peak-hour demand. Find a water heater with a comparable first-hour rating (FHR) printed on the yellow Energy Guide label.

Different fuel sources deliver different FHRs in relation to the tank size. As a general rule of thumb, one- to two-person households need about a 40-gallon electric or gas water heater while a four-person household may need a 50-gallon gas water heater or up to an 80-gallon electric water heater.

Installation

To maximize efficiency, install the following items along with your new investment:

• Aerating, low-flow showerheads and faucets

• Water heater and piping insulation

• Drain-water waste recovery system to preheat cold water entering the water heater

Maintenance

Neglect your water heater and it may last less than a decade. Take good care of it and it could last 20 years or more. Follow these maintenance tips to lengthen the life of your investment:

• Flush the tank twice a year.

• Inspect the pressure relief valve and have it replaced if you spot corrosion or rust.

• Remove and inspect the anode rod and replace it if six inches or more of the core wire is exposed.

• Inspect the combustion chamber and flue vent on gas- and oil-fired units.

• Remove and check the heating elements on electric units.

Operation Tips

Save energy and money with these tips:

• Set the water heater to 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees.

• Repair leaky faucets promptly.

• Take shorter showers.

• Only run the dishwasher and clothes washing machine with full loads.

• Set the water heater to vacation mode when you leave town.

For help on water heater sizing for your Broken Arrow home, please contact Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

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