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Water Heaters 101: Back To School Basics

Posted on August 10, 2022 by

Male plumber in blue uniform adjusts plumbing valve with red wrench in utility room, representing Hancock & Son Plumbing.

The Basic Guide to This Oft Overlooked Appliance

No matter what types of convenience appliances a person may have in their home, it is always a good practice to know a little bit about them. Not so a homeowner can work on them themselves, but so they know when it’s a good idea to call a professional for help. The home water heater is no different.

They often sit in a back closet of a house, doing their job of heating water, minor problems going unnoticed until there is some type of catastrophic failure or a need for complete replacement. It does not have to be this way. If water heaters are given proper attention and maintenance, they may last many more years without any issues.

Different Types of Hot Water Heaterstypes of water heaters

The technology behind heating water has been around for centuries. In the last couple of hundred years, there have been many variations on the original idea of heating a container filled with water over a fire. Many different kinds of water heaters are available, and they can accommodate almost any space or need. Listed below are a few of the water heaters that are available for residential use:

  • Electric Water Heater: This type of water heater has a storage tank heated by an electric heating element. Tank sizes can vary from 30 gallons up to and exceeding 80 gallons.
  • Gas Water Heater: Just as with the electric heater, this type of water heater has a storage tank for the water and can come in various sizes depending on the household's needs. The heat source, however, is fueled by a flame produced by natural gas or propane.
  • Heat Pump Water Heater: This type of water heater is very efficient and can even be used to heat (or cool) the home in combination with being a water heater. It does not have a heat source but gathers heat from the environment to heat stored water.
  • Tankless Water Heater: Also called on-demand or instant water heaters, tankless water heaters are rarely truly tankless, but they usually only hold 1-5 gallons of water. They use a quick heating system to make hot water available only when needed, saving energy due to not needing to keep a full tank of water at a constant temperature.

 

Maintenance Tasks Associated with a Water Heaterwater heater repair

Although they do not have flashing lights or alarms that go off regularly, water heaters require routine maintenance. The homeowner can do some of these, but generally, they should be left to a trained professional. Some water heater maintenance tasks that should be performed during a visit from a professional are:

  • Drain Water Heater
  • Flush Water Heater
  • Descale Storage Tank
  • Clean/Replace Anode Rod
  • Tighten Pipe Connections
  • Clean Heating Element
  • Check/Tighten Electrical Connections
  • Check/Replace PRV (Pressure Release Valve)

 

Indicators That Demonstrate a Need for Water Heater Repair

Water heater replacement can only be delayed for so long. No matter how good a person is about maintenance, there will eventually be a time when something will not be able to be fixed.

The water heater usually shows signs that it needs repair or replacement through sounds such as popping or banging, producing rusty colored water, or water that is not quite as hot as it should be. Any water leakage from the tank or the surrounding pipes is also a clear indication of a problem. If a homeowner notices any of these signs, they should immediately call a reputable plumbing company.

About Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning

Hancock & Son Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning is a locally-owned and operated business serving the residents of Salisbury, MD, and the surrounding areas. They offer honest pricing, personalized service options, and open and clear communication. Call them today for water heater services in Salisbury, MD.