No one gives their water heater a second thought until they wake up to a freezing cold shower – out of sight, out of mind, right? Unfortunately, at some point or another everyone’s hot water heater gives out. Here at Air Group we want to help you understand what went wrong and how to get it taken care of as quickly as possible to restore your peace of mind.
How Old Is Your Hot Water Heater?
Unlike wine or fine cheese, hot water heaters don’t get better with time. Sometimes your heater will just get old and start to cause you problems that aren’t worth the costly repairs. An average water heater will last around a decade, though The Department of Energy recommends that you begin to consider and research a new water heater if your current one is over seven years old. If it’s about that time for you, call Air Group and an experienced associate can help you decide what is the best model for you and your family.
Your Thermostat Might Be The Problem
Sometimes it’s just a component out of line. The thermostat, or the unit which regulates the intake of gas from an attached fuel supply line, is another culprit for causing a hot water heater to malfunction. If the thermostat goes bad, the water heater won’t receive the message to heat your dishwater – and you can see how that can be a problem.
Small Things That Could Cause A Big Problem
In the same vein, it could be one or both of the heating elements that are acting up. When electricity runs through the element it creates resistance, which in turn creates heat. With that being said, when you’re out an element, you’re probably out of hot water. If your hot water heater is leaking, it could be a valve problem. While that can be as easy a tightening the valves (which you should do regularly anyway) it could also be a sign of a bigger problem that may call for replacing the whole unit.
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