Water Heater Repair: Is It Time To Upgrade Your Water Heater? | Irving, TX

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You rely on hot water for a lot of things in life, from taking a shower in the morning to making sure all your dishes are spotless. The problem is, most people don’t take good enough care of their water heater to rely on it day after day. At a certain point, replacing your water heater becomes a better option than water heater repair because of the cost and the fact that you could upgrade to something better. If you’re thinking about buying a new water heater for your home, here are some things to consider before making the upgrade.

Age

The most important factor when you’re thinking about whether or not to upgrade your water heater is the age of the unit. Even if you try to take good care of your water heater, it’s not going to last more than 10 or 15 years. As your water heater begins to approach the end of its lifespan, it becomes less and less worth it to invest money in repairs.

If you have a water heater that’s well over a decade old and you’re having any sort of problems with it, get it replaced as soon as possible before you’re left with no hot water one morning. Even if your water heater is working just fine, you might want to consider upgrading if you haven’t had it replaced in a couple of decades.

Repair Costs

The truth of the matter is, water heater repair costs are only worth it up to a certain point. If you’re only spending a little bit of money on a new element or sacrificial anode rod, you save a lot of money versus buying a new water heater. If you get a water heater repair estimate that’s about the same cost as replacing your water heater, it’s not worth repairing the old unit.

Oftentimes, a water heater will only cost a few hundred to replace. If you’re looking for a basic tank-type water heater with a 40 or 50 gallon capacity, you can find great deals from reputable brands. Plus, water heater installation is a fairly simple process that doesn’t take long, so it’s often better to opt for a replacement instead of spending money on water heater repair.

Tank Problems

Most water heater problems are a result of a problem with the sacrificial anode or one of the two heating elements. These parts are very affordable and easy to replace, and replacing them will return your water heater to normal. The one thing that most water heater repair experts argue simply isn’t worth it is repairing problems with the actual tank of the water heater. When this tank corrodes, it generally means it’s time to get a new water heater.

There are times when you can patch a water heater tank and get things working again, but even that won’t last. Most experts won’t even do patch work on a water heater tank because of the fact that it’s so rare that it actually works. Plus, if there’s a problem that’s causing your tank to corrode quicker than usual, that problem is going to persist and cause the same problems in the future.

If your water heater is leaking due to tank corrosion, skip water heater repair and get yourself a brand new water heater. While it might seem like a lot of money to spend, it’s nothing compared to the cost of repeated water heater repairs that can’t hold anyway.

Efficiency

Water heaters are responsible for a significant amount of the energy use in your Irving, TX, home, so they’re a big one when it comes to efficiency. If your water heater is older, there’s a good chance it lacks efficiency and is costing you money. Investing in a new water heater can solve that problem and save you money each month.

The thing is, it’s not always worth it to upgrade an old water heater for improved efficiency. Some newer water heaters aren’t all that efficient, and there are different types that offer different benefits. If you’re going to upgrade, it’s best to choose a tank-type water heater with high efficiency or a tankless water heater. You can talk to an expert about what your different options are and which type of water heater is best if you’re looking to save on your water heating bill.

Size

The size of a water heater is also an important factor to consider. The larger a water heater is, the more water it can hold for your home. If you’ve got a large family, you might want to invest in a bigger water heater that can provide enough hot water for all-day use for several people. Normally, a 40 or 50 gallon water heater is the standard for tank-type heaters.

If you’re looking for something a little different, a tankless water heater may be more your speed. These water heaters put out a certain number of gallons of hot water per minute, so you always have hot water as long as you’re using less than that rate. You can have a water heater repair expert calculate the hot water usage in your home to make sure the tankless heater you get can provide enough hot water for any situation.

Make the Call

Dealing with a busted or inefficient water heater is no fun, and it can get expensive after a while. If you want to save yourself some money and make sure you always have hot water, make sure you’re upgrading your water heater on time.

Whether you’re in need of water heater repairs, maintenance or a new water heater for your Irving, TX, home, Tioga Plumbing & Electric has your back. To find out more about upgrading your water heater and the options that are available to you, call Tioga Plumbing & Electric at (469) 789-1292.