All you need to Know about Water Heater

When is time to replace your water heater?

If your water heater is showing signs of the following:

It’s time to give us a call. Ignoring these signs could lead to a potential flood and serious damage to your home and property.

Here we are today May 13th 2021 in Tewksbury, Massachusetts. Our client here Jim, has asked to have us replace this 50 gallon power vented gas water heater, that's 11 years old. We will be Updating it to an High Efficient 95% Gas Navien Tankless wall hung water heater. That we are going to hang up right there and reuse some of this old venting for our new air intake. Then we have this water meter here where somebody recently installed a water filter and did a really nice job, but then left the irrigation system tied in, so it’s getting filtered water, which is unnecessary.

So we’re going to re-pipe that so that its not sending filtered water out to the grass. We’re also going to remove this black plug that someone put in here that is not supposed to be there and will rust right out and is just asking for trouble. We are also going to add a Hot water Recirculation line. This client has a very long run of piping through the house.

These Navien High Efficient units have built in recirculation available so were going to find somewhere up in the ceiling to find the end of the of the hot water line and we’re going to add a return water line back to the Navien so that they will not have to wait and waste water waiting for the hot water to get to there faucets.

A Water Heater is The Biggest Fixture in your Home

One of the biggest fixtures in a home that most people take for granted is also one of the most important: your water heater.
It’s one of those items that you don’t spend too much time thinking about, but it truly does impact your life in a big way. They’re responsible for that refreshing, relaxing shower you take in the morning before you head off to work. They’re what makes it possible to get piping hot water out of the tap whenever you want it. The list goes on and on.

The Most Expensive Fixture in your Home?

But at the same time, one of the most crucial appliances in your home can also quickly become one of the most expensive if you’re not careful. According to one recent study conducted by the United States Department of Energy, the average hot water heater cost for operation accounts for roughly 18% of your entire home’s energy use on average. Obviously, these costs will increase if you’re working with a 40 gallon water heater or larger. Even a 40 gallon electric water heater can still use a tremendous amount of energy – and that’s before you get into the amount of money you’ll have to invest in things like hot water heater repair.

So if you’re in the market for a new water heater and you’re looking for something that is equal parts cost-effective and efficient, there are a number of reasons why you’ll want to consider a tankless hot water heater that are more than worth exploring.

The Benefits of a Tankless Hot Water Heater: An Overview

Also commonly referred to as an on demand water heater, a tankless hot water heater is capable of delivering between 4.5 to 8.5 gallons of hot water per minute for your home. So long as you install the right size tank in your home, you’ll always have water that is the absolute perfect temperature every time you jump in the shower. Obviously, your needs will vary depending on how many people live with you. Smaller families may be able to get away with a 40 gallon electric water heater, while others may require a 50 gallon electric water heater or larger. With all of that considered, however, it’s easy to see how this is a better option than even something like a water heater expansion storage tank for your existing 40 gallon gas water heater.

But still – even a 50 gallon water heater will provide instant access to the hot water you want, all while allowing you to dramatically reduce your utility bills at the exact same time.

Energy Savings?

Indeed, it’s those instant savings that make a tankless hot water heater more than worth the investment for most families. Keep in mind that a tankless gas water heater is essentially “off” when you’re not using the water. Because of that, they use far less energy than their counterparts. Another recent study indicated that investing in an Energy Star certified tankless hot water heater can reduce your hot water consumption by between 25 and 40% every year. For the average family, that breaks down to roughly $100 of savings.