By Brooke Chaplan
Getting a new water heater installed at your house isn't something that you have to do very often. With that in mind, it's important to ensure that any installation is done properly to keep it from causing damage to your home or wasting energy.
Related: Top Benefits of Installing a Tankless Water Heater
Ideally, a new water heater should last around ten years with proper maintenance. Whether your old one is breaking down or you just built a new house, you can use these tips to manage the installation process:
When to Install a New Water Heater
When a water heater breaks, all kinds of things can happen. A faulty unit can leak water all over the floor and ruin the building materials. You could be caught by surprise by a cold shower when you least expect it. Many people choose to install a new water heater once theirs reaches a certain age or fails an inspection. You may also need to arrange for a replacement if yours makes strange noises or springs a small leak.
Figure Out Your Preferences
There's more that goes into purchasing a water heater than you may think. For instance, newer tankless models provide an endless supply of hot water. This upgrade might be your best option if you have a large family and are constantly running out of hot water. There are also electric and gas styles along with different sizes. A water heater contractor can help you determine the one that'll best fit your household's needs.
Choose a Professional Installer
At first glance, replacing a hot water heater might seem simple. However, there's far more that goes into a proper installation than meets the eye. Hot water heaters have the potential to be dangerous. Faulty installations can lead to explosions that can cause scalding water and debris to go flying. A professional installer also knows how to make sure that all of the connections and hoses are sealed tight. This prevents potentially damaging gas and water leaks.
Schedule the Installation at a Convenient Time
Unless there's an unusual situation, it only takes a few hours to install a water heater. However, a typical installation does require the water that leads to the unit to be turned off. This means that the best time to have the heater installed is when you don't need to bathe or wash dishes. Most people find that the later morning to midday hours work best for convenient installations.
There's nothing like enjoying a hot bath or shower. And hot water is also essential for keeping your house sanitary. If you suspect that your home's current water heater is having issues, then start arranging for a new one to be installed today. Acting now can prevent serious damage from a faulty unit, and you'll love having a steady stream of hot water for bathing and cleaning!
Brooke Chaplan is a freelance writer and blogger. She recommends looking into water installation contractors like Water Heater Pros. She loves the outdoors and spends most of her time hiking, biking, and gardening. For more information, contact Chaplan via Facebook at facebook.com/brooke.chaplan or Twitter @BrookeChaplan
Basic information but may be on purpose. An in depth explanation would be most helpful. Example: Cost of “on Demand”, Gas vs electric as well as On Demand which I understand can be quite expensive if you have a large consumption. Cost driven due to heavy requirements and demand but size of unit and location are also factors. Thanks.
I agree with what you said that it’s important to contact a professional installer when installing a water heating system because it could be a potentially dangerous job. My dad was planning on installing a new water heater by himself. I’ll talk to him tonight to convince him to hire a professional instead. Thanks for the warning.