Warm water in your home is necessary for your family to remain safe and happy. While it might be easy to think that your hot water magically comes out of your pipes, it’s actually a lengthy process that starts with your water heater. Today we will address some of the most commonly asked questions about water heaters and their required maintenance so that you can understand how to sustain your water heater properly this winter and beyond.
1. How Often Should a Water Heater Be Flushed?
One of the most common questions homeowners have about their water heaters is how often to flush them. The general rule of thumb is you should flush your water heater at least once a year. However, the frequency of this task will highly depend on the state of your water. If you live in a region that has hard water, it is absolutely imperative that you flush your water heater more often to remove that excess sediment.
2. What Are the Differences Between Tank and Tankless Water Heaters?
There are two basic types of water heaters that you can have in your home. These are tank-style water heaters and tankless water heaters. Telling one from another is easy to do by simply looking at the size of the unit.
As the name suggests, a water heater with a tank will have a large cylindrical structure full of water. On the other hand, a tankless water heater is a small box placed on the wall. Both units have water lines running in and out of them.
Besides their visible size differences, the main difference between a tank-style water heater and a tankless one is that the tankless water heater provides hot water on demand. A tank-style water heater stores water in a large vessel and heats it up via heating elements. A tank-style water heater can only supply as much hot water as the tank can hold at one time.
3. What Size Water Heater Does Your Home Need?
The size of the water heater you need will highly depend on how many people are in your household. With tank-style water heaters, the size of the water heater tank gets larger as your household size increases. If you have a large household of six people, you will need a much larger tank-style water heater than a household of just two people.
When it comes to a tankless water heater, its size is determined by how much hot water it can output at a specific time. Hot water output is measured in gallons per minute and is referred to as its flow rate. The more appliances and fixtures you have in your home, the higher the flow rate capacity will need to be on your tankless water heater to supply enough hot water to meet your needs.
4. How Often Do Elements Need To Be Replaced?
The heating elements within tank-style and tankless water heaters are typically rated to last up to 10 years. When they wear out, you’ll notice that your water heater will stop consistently producing hot water to meet your needs. Calling a professional to replace the heating element is your best bet for fixing your water heater and getting it back up and running correctly.
5. What Temperature Should Your Water Heater Be At?
Water heaters have adjustable thermostats inside where you can select your water temperature. Most manufacturers will set their water heaters to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and for most homeowners, this is the best temperature setting to run your water heater. If you have noticed that you’re struggling with lukewarm water and have already checked your heating elements, you may want to turn your temperature up to see if that makes a difference.
6. How Long Do Water Heaters Last?
The lifespan of a water heater varies depending on its style and the type of fuel that it utilizes. On average, a tank-style water heater will last up to 12 years. On the other hand, a tankless water heater will typically last between 15 and 20 years.
Expert Water Heater Service
At JC Energy Solutions, we offer expert water heater services for Oak Hills, California and the surrounding communities. We can also help with HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance, and we serve residential and commercial clients. If you have questions about your water heater’s operation, call JC Energy Solutions today to schedule your next appointment with our highly experienced and knowledgeable service professionals.
