What Are the Signs That a Water Heater Needs Replacing?
April 29, 2020
Dealing with a broken or underperforming water heater can be frustrating, to say the least. If you’ve ever had to take an ice-cold shower or wash the dishes without warm water, you’ll know just how difficult it is when you do not have quick and easy access to hot water, and how important having a functioning water heater in your house can be for you and your family.
Did you know that in the average home, a water heater is the second highest source of energy usage, and that by upgrading to a new high efficiency unit, a family of four can save $3,400 in electricity costs over its lifetime, according to the EPA and the DOE?
If those cost savings aren’t enough to persuade you to make the switch, here are four additional signs that it’s time to replace your water heater.
1. Your Water Heater Is Over 10 Years Old
If you aren’t sure how old the water heater in your home is, look for the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker. Usually, the first two numbers of the serial number are the year it was manufactured.
If your water heater is over 10 years old, it’s time to replace it and upgrade to a new model, like a tankless water heater that offers ultra energy efficient operation. These instant hot water heaters warm water on demand, right as you need it, so there’s no waste associated with keeping many gallons of water constantly heated in a storage tank, like with conventional water heaters.
2. Your Water Heater Is Leaking
Water heaters can develop leaks for a number of reasons, including cracks in the storage tank and a buildup of calcium, sediment, or rust. If your water heater is leaking, it’s bad—leaks can lead to expensive moisture damage to your sub-floors and nearby drywall. If you see pooling water near your water or suspect you have a leak, call a plumbing professional to schedule immediate water heater repair.
3. Your Water Heater Is Making Strange Sounds
If you’re hearing a popping or rumbling noise from your water heater, it could be due to sediment that’s built up on the bottom of your tank that’s hardened over time. Sediment will lower your water heater’s efficiency, wasting fuel and money and increasing the risk of overheating, which can damage the inner lining of your tank and lead to leaks.
4. Your Water Heater Isn’t Making Enough Hot Water
Perhaps the most obvious sign that you need new water heater installation in your Sacramento area home is when your water heater is no longer able to keep up with your daily hot water needs.
We know how frustrating it can be to lose your hot water halfway through a shower. That’s where the experts at Brower Mechanical can help, and take you through the various options for new water heaters, from high efficiency traditional storage tank heaters to tankless and even solar panel water heaters.
Maximize Your Savings with SMUD and PG&E Rebates!
Homeowners throughout Placer and Sacramento counties can not only see an immediate return on their new water heater investment through monthly utility bill savings but through the many water heater rebates in California as well. Here are just two of the rebates and incentives available.
PG&E Water Heater Rebate
You can save $300 in rebates when you upgrade your home to an ENERGY STAR rated heat pump water heater.
SMUD Water Heater Rebates
The savings for Sacramento Municipal Utility District customers are even higher—homeowners can receive as much as $3,000 back when they qualify for SMUD upgrades from a gas to electric water heater!
