Signs you need a new water heater
You probably need to replace your current water heater if:
- It is more than 15 years old. Most tank-style water heaters only last 15–20 years. So, if yours is coming up on that 15- or 20-year mark, you might want to look into replacing it.
- You notice brown or rusty water. If your hot water has a brown or rusty tint to it, this normally means your water heater is deteriorating from the inside. Eventually, your water heater will fail completely or burst, causing expensive water damage to your home.
- Your energy bills are increasing. As your unit gets older, it loses efficiency. If you notice a steady increase in your energy bills (and water usage stays the same), that could mean your tank is on its way out.
- The tank itself has a leak. A crack or leak in the tank is pretty much a death sentence for your water heater. You’ll need to look at buying a new one right away.
Water heater terms you should know
Shopping around for a new water heater? You’ve probably seen a lot of unfamiliar terms. We’ll explain some of the lingo for you.
- First hour rating (FHR): This is the number of gallons of hot water a full tank can provide in an hour. You’ll want a tank with an FHR that’s within 1–3 gallons of your peak demand (how many gallons of hot water your family uses at the busiest hour of the day).
- Energy factor (EF): Water heater energy efficiency is measured by its energy factor—also called a “thermal energy factor”—which is the amount of hot water produced per unit of fuel consumed in a typical day. Most tank-style water heaters have an EF rating of .67–.90.
- Expansion tank: This is a small tank that attaches to your water heater. When your water heater heats water, the water expands and puts a lot of pressure on your tank. The expansion tank exists to collect the extra water, relieving your water heater tank of the pressure and preventing it from bursting prematurely. Most city codes require an expansion tank, especially if you have a “closed system” that has a backflow prevention device.
We make water heater installations easy for you
We want to make it easy to do business with us. That’s why we offer:
Convenient scheduling
To make sure you get your water heater installed at a time that’s convenient for you, we offer service late at night and on the weekends.
Fast installations
We’re a well-oiled machine when it comes to installing water heater tanks—which is why our install times are much shorter than other Charlotte companies.
No shortcuts
Instead of pushing a particular water heater brand, we focus on the quality of the installation. That way, you’ll get your water heater installed the way it should be.
