Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Selecting A Replacement Hot Water Heater

By Carol Richardson


Once your water heater can no longer be repaired, you are left with no choice but to buy a replacement unit to continue having access to hot water. There are a lot of different heating systems available in the market; look for the best unit that will meet your hot water needs. Always hire a specialist to ensure proper installation without voiding its warranty.

Before carrying out repairs, shut down the circuit breaker or the gas supply valve to avoid unnecessary disasters. Do not take this lightly since a water heater can pose serious dangers when not handled correctly. Close the water supply valve to prevent water from entering the tank during the repair process.

Tankless water heaters are now taking the scene since these units don't consume much energy and last longer than traditional tank-style heaters. These units only heat water when necessary without having to insulate water at all times. Tankless units are usually gas-fired with electronic ignition and power exhaust.

The most common heaters are the traditional tank-style units that store hot water and keep it insulated any time of the day. They are either powered by oil, gas or electricity. However, you should be able to drain and flush the tank regularly since sediments inside can cause the tank lining to corrode easily.

You can also choose a solar water heater if you want to cut back on your electricity bill. Depending on the climate condition and usage, it is said that solar systems can supply up to 50 percent of the energy needed to heat water. However, these units have higher operational and upfront costs. For active solar systems, pumps and controls are used to move heated water to the storage tank. During cold seasons, these units continue to heat water as the antifreeze fluids run through the heat exchanger.

You can also consider buying heat pump heaters that use electricity to more heated water from one ace to another. Heat pump units use air from the surrounding tank to be heated and transferred to an enclosed storage tank. Avoid inconvenience by asking advice from a specialist before buying a heat pump unit.

To have more time to look for different types of heating systems, consider buying a replacement right before your heater completely breaks down. Avoid encountering water heater issues in the future by not buying a unit haphazardly.

Once you think your heater is reaching the end of its lifespan, consider looking for a new unit that will suit your hot water needs. Always have it installed by a professional to avoid violating water heater city codes.




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