Water Heater Repair

Conventional storage water heaters are the big tanks that most people think of when they think of water heaters, and are still the most popular design. Basically, it’s a bit water tank with a heating element that is either powered by gas or electricity. The advantage to these models is their storage capacity. However, it is possible to use up all the hot water and end up taking a cold shower if you’re the last one in a large family to get up in the morning. Demand-Type water heaters are also known as tankless water heaters, these basically small gas or electric heating units attached directly to the hot water pipe near each faucet or appliance. The heating element only engages when the hot water tap is turned on. This avoids the energy that is lost by keeping a large amount of water hot all the time, but can limit the flow of hot water that is available at any given time. Heat pump water heaters Imagine a refrigerator working backward. That’s pretty close to how a heat pump water heater works. It uses electricity to move heat from one location to another. Now, here’s where the designers got tricky: you can actually combine your water heater with your heating and air conditioning system. The heat that gets removed from the air in your house can be used to heat your water at the same time. These units are very energy-efficient, but work best in a temperature range of between 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Solar water heaters are units that take advantage of a natural resource that we have a lot of in South Florida: sunlight. They consist of two basic parts: the collector and a storage tank. In a basic, solar water heater system, the water runs directly through the collector, where the sun’s light heats it. After it’s hot, it flows into a well-insulated storage tank, ready to use. EXTREMELY energy-efficient. Tankless coil water heaters is another way of using your heating system to help heat your water. The water flows through a heat exchanger or heated coil that actually flows through your home’s furnace. Cool idea, but it works better in cold climates where the heater is run frequently. Indirect water heaters are similar to the tankless coil designs, but instead of the water flowing directly through the heating system, a different fluid runs through the heat exchanger in the furnace and flows through a storage tank, heating the water within. An inexpensive option, but also works better in colder climates.

Common Water Heater Problems

Now, all of these systems have a couple of things in common. First, they all use different forms of energy to heat your water. Secondly, like all mechanical devices, they sometimes break down. A conventional storage water heater can be expected to last an average of about ten years, give or take. Some of the other types, especially the ones without storage tanks, can possibly last longer. However, like all things in life, nothing lasts forever. The problem with a water heater failure is that it causes more inconvenience than most other home maintenance problems. First, except for demand-type water heaters, a home usually only has one. That means that if it fails, you don’t have a backup, unlike toilets and faucets. That means a great deal of disruption because you still have to do laundry, wash dishes, and shower or bathe. So, the only answer is to get it fixed as soon as possible. Doing it yourself is a possibility, but the job tends to be a big one, often in a hard to access place. That means getting a couple of friends to help you remove the old one, not to mention getting the replacement into the house and positioned in the right place. Not only that, since it’s an appliance, you have to deal with your gas or electric system at the same time as dealing with the water supply.

Contact Plumbers 911 Now!

We suggest calling us at Plumbers 911 to find out how we can connect you to a local Miami plumbing contractor to do the heavy lifting for you. Our locally-owned partners have the training and equipment to get the job done reliably and quickly. In fact, we may be able to replace your existing water heater rather than removing it entirely. Plumbers 911 works only with local, established businesses that hire highly-trained union plumbing technicians. In order to earn their licenses, our techs have to complete over 100,000 hours of training. They are also fully insured, complete a thorough background check, and submit to periodic drug testing after they’re hired. We don’t just do water heaters, either. We are also provide 24/7 emergency service, kitchen and bath remodeling, new construction, and commercial plumbing. Even if you’re just looking to save money and the environment by replacing your old, inefficient toilet with a more efficient one, we can help you with that too. So do yourself a favor and call Plumbers 911 and get those plumbing problems fixed quickly, at a reasonable price.