For several reasons, we as human beings struggle with this concept of getting on with our lives while letting go of certain things. We often feel the need to repair some items, even though they might already be completely broken. We are built in this manner – preferring repairs to replacements – but it is important to know when to opt for the latter. For example, in our homes, water heaters are priceless. These electric devices come to the rescue when we need hot water in the house, but what happens when they become faulty?
You have to think fast; should you repair or replace the water heater? While we may be tempted to go for a quick repair, it might not always be the better option. There comes a time when we finally need to get rid of that long-serving water heater to make way for a brand new one. Ordinarily, heaters have a lifespan of about ten years before they begin to malfunction. Even well-maintained ones will start to suffer wear and tear over time, and you must decide whether to repair or replace them.
A repair may be enough to restore your water heater to a decent-enough condition to supply hot water sufficiently. However, there are scenarios where installing a completely new tankless water heater is preferable and could even be more cost-effective. Now that you are wondering whether to repair or replace your water heater, we will be going through a few essential factors to consider before determining which way to go. These should guide your decision-making process as regards this matter.
Age of The Water Heater
A traditional storage-tank water heater has a reasonably long life and begins nearing its end after about 10-15 years of constant use. Within this 10-year duration, chemicals and mineral elements in water will continuously react with steel, thereby wearing the water tank out. Consequently, this never-ending corrosion could cause a leakage – among many other problems – in your water tank. In this case, while there might be a little debate as to whether you should repair or replace the water heater, replacement is the safer choice. Old heaters should be disposed of.
Replacing your water heater system is a household project that will cost you a good amount of money, but you should purchase a new one when your heater is over 15 years old. Are you still unsure? You will probably find a silver lining in that modern water heater models are more energy-efficient and less prone to wear and tear than older versions. Also, newer models employ good insulation technology to increase their heat retention capability.
Cost and Frequency of Repair
Indeed, your water heater will break down every once in a while. When the inevitable happens, you must decide whether to repair or replace your water heater. One of the details to consider is the cost of repairing your water heating system. So here’s a quick tip: replace your hot water tank if its repair cost is more than half the price of a new one. Additionally, you should review the regularity of your water heater breakdowns in the past few years. If the appliance breaks down too frequently, it might be because it’s nearing the end of its lifespan, and that’s an indicator to let go. Conducting a financial analysis will help provide an estimate on the expenses involved in getting a new water heater compared to that of recurrent repair costs. After reading this article, you should be able to make an informed decision on whether to repair or replace your water heater.
The efficiency of a Water Heater System
The primary function of a water heater is to meet your home’s hot water needs. Consistent with the woes of a machine, your water heater that was once up and running could, someday, have trouble meeting your daily needs. This problem could be the result of several circumstances, which may include:
- Faulty electrical connections can cause your water heater’s circuit breaker to trip off during use. Even with this, your water heater will likely remain in good condition with no need for replacement, but this fault is not one you should attempt to fix by yourself. Instead, you should put a call through to a trained professional to assist with the situation.
- If there are no wiring problems in your home, you should check for sediment accumulation in your tank. Fortunately, this issue is easy to fix. All you need to do is drain the water tank to remove the dregs. Once removed, your water heater’s efficiency should increase significantly.
- A faulty component could reduce the efficiency of your hot water tank. Water heater components that are most likely to experience a reduction in productivity are the dip tube, heating element, or the temperature-pressure relief valve. While you might be able to locate the fault and replace the component yourself, consider a safer option by involving an expert.
- Have you ever stopped to wonder whether your water heater system’s reduced efficiency is a direct consequence of your heater’s capacity compared to your household size? In this situation, there is a dire need for replacement with a new system with a larger tank, or perhaps, the tankless model.
It is important to note that decreased efficiency translates to increased energy use. It will lead to a bulkier energy bill, causing a strain on your pocket. So, it is clear that a decision needs to be made quickly. These situations and scenarios give an insight into what to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your water heater. Should your resolve be to repair your dysfunctional water heater, you can always call heating repair professionals in Springdale. In the area, they are well-known for the quality delivery of this service. Also, their highly trained professionals are renowned for the proper installation and maintenance of water heaters.
