Buying a New Hot Water Heater with Roto-Rooter

When you discover your hot water heater leaking, do not panic or faint. This device is mechanical and prone to aging and wear. The correct response is to turn off the supply of water to the tank and call Roto-Rooter. A repair person will be knocking on your door before you know it and all your water heater problems will suddenly come to a halt!

A plumbing repairperson is no stranger to hot water heater problems. The professional can fix any problem and, if the heater is broken and worn out, they can simply install a new one. The technician will discuss all the new efficient models of heaters available and help you decide which one will work best.

There are many options to choose from when it comes to water heaters. Because of modern technology, you even have the choice to get a tankless water heater installed. This type of system takes up much less space than a tank and works much more efficiently than a tank heater. A tankless system is often called an “on-demand” system because the water is only heated when you turn on a faucet or tub.

An “on-demand” hot water system is different from a tank system. A tank heater requires that water enter the tank, which is then heated and re-heated to keep it at a certain temperature, so that when you turn on the hot water it is delivered at the same constant temperature. A tank system is not as efficient as an “on-demand” system because it takes energy to keep heating and re-heating the water supply in the tank.

A tankless hot water system is much more expensive to buy and install than a tank water heater. Your plumbing specialist will advise you of the exact costs associated with installing either type of system and will review the potential cost savings you will get for each of the systems.

Your friendly Roto-Rooter plumber will begin installation as soon as you decide on a system type. They will quickly disconnect and remove your old tank heater and brings in the new one. Do not worry about your home’s floors getting soiled. The shoe coverings worn by the specialist will keep any grime off your floors and carpets.

When the job is completed, all the work area around the site of the old hot water heater leaking will have been cleaned up and you will see a brand new heater in its place, just waiting to supply you with copious amounts of hot water.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT WATER HEATER FOR YOU

From tankless to traditional, solar to hybrid—there are more choices than ever when it comes to water heaters. So how do you decide which one is best for you? Here’s the scoop on all your water heater options from the ROTO-ROOTER Seattle plumbing experts:

Conventional Water Heater

These are the water heaters we all know and love. They store water in a tank, heat it up, and are available in a variety of gallon capacities, depending on your family size and personal needs. The drawbacks? They’re big, taking up a lot of space, and they consume energy whether water is needed or not, making them less efficient than some other options. A conventional electric or gas water heater should last about 11-15 years and they cost about $500.

Tankless Water Heater (a.k.a. Instant or On-Demand Hot Water)

A tankless water heater is generally considered more energy efficient because it only heats water as it is needed. When the tap is turned on, the heater goes to work and supplies continuous hot water. It’s smaller and can hang on a wall—but it can require larger gas lines and special venting—all of which can be expensive. However, a tankless water heater has a life expectancy of 15-20 years and may reduce water heating bills by as much as 30 percent. They’re pricey, though, costing $700-$1500.

Solar Water Heater Systems

These eco-friendly units use the sun’s energy to generate hot water for your home. There are two types. The first, a passive solar water heating system, is typically the less expensive option, but they're usually not as efficient. They are, however, more reliable and may last longer. Active solar water heating systems utilize pumps and controls to circulate water into the home. Most solar water heating systems require a well-insulated storage tank and a backup system for cloudy days and high water demand.

Hybrid Heat Pump Water Heater

A hybrid water heater combines conventional tank storage with a heat pump that extracts heat from the air and uses it to help heat the water. It uses existing water and electrical connections, and can reduce water heating costs by almost 60 percent, making them a formidable competitor to tankless units.

WATER HEATER STANDARDS & GUIDELINES FROM APRIL 2015

In case you hadn’t heard, new federal mandates went into effect on April 16, 2015 and are forcing water heater manufacturers to make water heaters (the kind with a water tank) a lot more efficient. For the most part, they will be smarter, safer and better insulated. But the rest of the story may impact some homeowners in some inconvenient ways. This is especially true if your utility closet is already cramped. A new water heater of the same capacity may have a larger physical footprint (to accommodate that extra insulation) than the unit that currently occupies the space in your house. A replacement water heater may no longer fit inside that space and could require a build out and other modifications to make it work.

Additionally, gas models may require more advanced chimneys (flues) and plumbing. They will incorporate electronic ignition instead of the old standard pilot flames. Electric water heaters will also be larger in diameter and/or height to account for the extra insulation needed to make them more energy efficient. Many models will now have integrated heat pumps in order to meet the new Department of Energy guidelines. One other change that may affect you is cost. Expect newer high-efficiency models to be almost twice as expensive!

The new complexities of water heater standards will make it much more difficult for the do-it-yourselfer to install the new water heater models and still remain in compliance with the new codes. So choosing a trained professional plumber to install a water heater will be more crucial than ever before. If all of these changes sound alarming to you because your current water heater barely fits into its current location, act fast because older models will only be in stores until current inventories sell out. Manufacturers were required to make the changes on production lines beginning April 1, 2015, so if the prospect of cramming a larger water heater into your small space scares you, why not purchase an existing model and store it until you need it. Or if your water heater is getting close to the end of its lifespan (the average is 11 years), it might make sense to replace your old water heater now.