There will be a few repairs. There will be some maintenance. When you have to replace your water heater, get the one you will be glad to have for a long time to come. Ross Plumbing services and installs water heaters throughout Lake, Sumter and southern Marion Counties. Calling (352) 728-6053 gets you the water heater service or installation you and your comfort require.
Everyone who has ever shivered their way through a cold shower knows how important a good water heater is. Tank or tankless, gas or electric (or even propane) your water heater is a huge part of your comfort and convenience. Your water heater is going to serve you for years. Get the water heater you want, the one that will serve your needs. Despite the variety, choosing the right water heater for you and your household is easy with a little information.
Gas? Electric? (Even Propane?)
Most of the time, this choice is already made for you. Occasionally, we speak with a water heater customer who wants to change the fuel source for their water heater. When that happens, it adds an extra layer of complexity. Switching to an electric water heater from something else means calling on your electrician to install a few upgrades. If you’re switching to a gas water heater, you’ll need new gas lines to accommodate the new water heater. (Don’t worry. Gas plumbing is still plumbing, and you can read more about our gas work here.)
For those not served by local gas lines but who still want the efficiency of gas, there is another option — propane. Perhaps you’ve seen propane tanks outside a few houses in some of the more rural parts of the Ross Plumbing service area where natural gas isn’t available. If this is something you’re interested in, we provide and install propane water heaters too.
Whatever the fuel source, we have the water heater that will keep you in hot water.
Tank? Tankless?
Whether to choose gas, electric or propane is one water heater decision. Whether to go tank or tankless is another.
If you’re not familiar with tankless water heaters, well, keep reading. Simply put, tankless water heaters don’t have to spend energy keeping a tank full of water heated to 120° until you decide you need to use it. This makes tankless water heaters, especially natural gas and propane, more efficient. Tankless water heaters also take up less space. Most tankless water heaters actually go on the outside of the house, even more space savings to go with your energy savings.
There is still a tankless trade-off. White saving space and, in the case of gas models, saving energy, tankless water heaters do require more maintenance than tank water heaters. The gas or propane models require a yearly clean-and-descale to operate at their best. (By the way, we run a special on that periodically. Follow our Facebook page and you’ll see it pop up when that time comes again.) Whether electric, gas or propane, tankless water heaters are all a little harder to work on than tank water heaters. Finally, a tankless water heater costs more to purchase and to install than tank water heaters.
If you are one of the growing number who believe a tankless water heater will serve you and your home best, give us a call.
Capacity – How much hot water do you need from your water heater?
Your water heater is there, obviously, to provide you with hot water when you need it. It also has to provide you with enough hot water. How much hot water do you need from that water heater? That water heater will be with you for a long time. Make sure to get the one that serves you best and serves you with as much hot water as you need.
In tank water heaters, capacity is measured in how many gallons of water the unit can hold and keep hot, ready for use, at one time. Forty gallons is the most common household size by far. For a house with two or three people, forty gallons will usually serve you very well and even leave some left over. For a smaller household, a thirty gallon tank will usually do nicely. Larger households or those with higher than average peak water use (think of the house where one person takes a hot shower while another does a load of dishes while also running the washing machine with hot water) that household may benefit from a larger water heater, maybe fifty gallons.
Tankless water heater capacity is a little different. Instead of measuring how much water that water heater needs to hold at once, it measures how much water it can produce at one time – called “flow rate.” This varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model. Generally, tankless water heaters’ flow rate ranges from there to seven gallons per minute, give or take a few ounces. Somewhere in that range is the tankless water heater flow rate that will serve your household best. You, your service tech and a little math can figure out what magic hot-water-number is right for you.
Water heater maintenance and repairs
Water heaters don’t need a lot of attention, but a little maintenance can go a long way. If your water heater stops working, don’t assume it’s time to put it on the curb just yet. Whether it’s gas (including propane) or electric, every water heater uses thermostats to control water temperature. If the water isn’t as hot — or as warm — as it should be, the thermostat may be the problem. A quick replacement might be all it needs.
Electric water heaters, including both tank and tankless models, also have heating elements. These parts can wear out over time, just like a light bulb. The good news? Replacing a heating element is a simple water heater repair that your plumber can handle quickly and easily. Ross Plumbing even offers an electric water heater “tune up” where we replace both upper and lower thermostats and heating elements in one visit. Call us any time to get it all taken care of — quickly, easily, and done until next time.
Gas tankless water heaters need one extra step to stay in top shape: a yearly clean-and-descale. This is easy to forget, but it’s important if you want your water heater to stay energy efficient and reliable. Descaling removes mineral buildup and only takes about 45 minutes. Ross Plumbing often runs specials on this service, so if you’re interested, follow us on Facebook or join our email list to stay updated on deals and seasonal maintenance offers.
Your water heater is with you for a long time.
Gas or electric (or propane), tank or tankless, your water heater is with you for thousands of showers, thousands more clean dishes and thousands of loads of laundry. Getting the water heater that serves you best and getting the repairs done right (and right away) and seeing to regular water heater maintenance keeps those showers hot and those dishes and laundry clean.
Whether repairing or replacing your water heater, calling Ross Plumbing gets you the hot water you rely on for comfort and cleanliness. Call (352) 728-6053 to discuss your hot water.