Cost Benefit Analysis

Think about the cost of repairing it against the cost of replacing it. For example, if you have recently done a repair on your heater and another repair is needed, it might be prudent to replace it rather than to continue sinking money into repairs.

Warranty

Will repairing it void your warranty? Some warranties have clauses that state if a non-certified person trys to repair the hot water heater, the warranty is no longer valid.

Age

The age of your hot water tank. If it is nearing the end of its lifespan, you might want to strongly consider replacing it.

Average water heater lifespans:
Gas storage tank – 8 to 11 years.
Electric storage water tank – 8 to 12 years.
Tankless water heater – 15+ years with regular maintenance.

The above are just estimates. How long your water heater will last is also dependent on:

Correct Installation

Your water heater should be positioned upright in a properly vented and ventilated area. This will help prevent a carbon monoxide build up (with gas fired water tanks) and reduce the risk of fire. A poorly ventilated area will also decrease the lifespan of your water heater, regardless if it is a tank or tankless model.

It should also be installed in a dry area not prone to flooding. If the area your water heater is in floods and gets into the burner area, the burner will need to be replaced.

You will also want to install your water heater near a floor drain. This will make it much easier when you need to drain the water heater when you replace it or if it needs to be drained during maintenance or repairs.

And finally, you want to locate your water heater where it is easy to access for maintenance.

Usage

How much do you use your hot water? Do you love really hot baths or do six of you shower every morning while you run the dishwasher and do the laundry?

The more it is used, the shorter your water heater’s lifespan. Your water tank has to work harder to heat the water and the more you use it the greater the corrosive effect of the water.

Also, the more you use your water heater, the more sediment builds up at the bottom of the tank and makes it less efficient.
Construction quality
The higher the quality of your water heater, the longer it should last.

Did you know a longer warranty coverage can be a good indicator of a well built and reliable water heater?

Maintenance

Good regular maintenance can extend the life of your water heater.

If you decide to replace your hot water heater, you have a few decisions to make.

Tank vs. Tankless

The traditional water heater most of us are familiar with is the storage tank type. It stores several liters of water in a tank and heats it. When you use all the hot water in the tank, you need to wait for it to heat up another batch of water,

The other type is a tankless or on-demand water heater. They heat and deliver hot water on an as needed basis. They don’t store water and heat it. As water enters the unit, it is instantly heated as it passes through on it’s way to where the hot water is needed.

Both types have pros and cons. Our experts will go over them with you and help you make the best decision for your home.
Gas vs. Electric
Hot water heaters use either gas or electricity. Gas is by far the most common fuel used.

Your house usually determines if you need a gas or electric water heater.

Hot Water Heater Size

Once you have decided on the type of water heater and fuel source you want, you will need to decide on the size.

Unlike furnaces, the size of your home isn’t an important factor in deciding the size of the hot water heater you need. You will see hot water heater size recommendations based on house size. These recommendations may appear to be based on the size of house but are really based on the assumptions the person has made about the number of people living in a house that size, their hot water usage, and their peak hot water demand.

To decide on the size water heater to buy, think about:

People

The more people in your household, the larger water heater you’ll need.

Uses

Think about how many of your appliances in your home use hot water and the number of bathrooms you have. Dishwashers, washing machines, and showers all need hot water.

Peak Times

What time of the day do you use the most hot water? This is called the peak usage. For many it households, it’s the morning when everyone is getting ready for their day.

Think about how many people take showers in the morning and if you usually run your dishwasher and washing machine at the same time.

You want a water heater that can handle the amount of hot water needed during your peak usage times.

Also, did you often run out of hot water with your last water heater? Then you may want to get a larger sized water tank.

We realize all the decisions that need to be made can be overwhelming. But we are here to help.

Give The Gentlemen Pros a call and we will help you determine your hot water needs!