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How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

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Tankless water heaters offer many benefits over traditional water heaters. It’s a fraction of the size of a typical heater tank and it’s simple to use. Plus, it eliminates having to fight for who gets to use the bathroom in the morning first.

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The Effects of Hard Water on Your Water Heaters

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Having hard water in your home can wreak havoc in all sorts of different places. Any pipe, appliance, or surface in your home where hard water flows is at risk of damage. One appliance most affected by hard water is the heater.

How Long Does a Water Heater Last?

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The water heater is one of the appliances in our homes that we often take for granted. You may not think twice about filling up a warm bath or washing dishes in the sink, but when your water starts to run cold, you may be wishing that you knew more about this often used appliance. The key to staying comfortable and using energy more efficiently in your home is to recognize when your water heater needs to be replaced. Below, we’ll talk more about how long water heaters last and what the warning signs are that yours may need to be replaced.

How long does a water heater last?

One of the questions that we get asked most often is – How long does a water heater last? The answer to this question will depend on what type of water heater you have, the quality of the unit, what condition it is in, and how well it has been maintained.

Typically, a traditional tank-style water heater will last about 8 to 12 years. When the anode rod starts to corrode in the tank, it no longer functions and will eventually cause the lining to start to corrode as well. On the other hand, a tankless water heater often lasts up to 20 years and sometimes even longer. These types of water heaters do not work continuously to maintain a hot water supply, so they last longer than those with tanks. However, eventually even tankless water heaters will start to corrode and need to be replaced.

If you just moved into your home or you have lost the documentation for the water heater, you may not know how old the appliance is. One way to find out is to take a look at the serial number located on the top of the water heater, which helps you get a clue as to when it was manufactured. The serial number consists of a letter followed by numbers. The letter usually stands for the month it was made (with “A” for January, “B” for February, etc.), and the next two numbers indicate the year. For example, “A11” would suggest that the water heater was made in January 2011.

Warning Signs Your Water Heater Needs to Be Replaced

Age is not the only way to determine if your water heater needs to be replaced. There are also a few warning signs that can indicate you need to get a replacement:

  • Water around the water heater – Water pooling around the water heater may indicate that your tank has a leak. Tanks can begin to fracture as they age. As the metal heats, it expands these fractures, which will leak until the inner tank has cooled again.
  • Rusty water – If you notice rusty water coming from the hot side of your water heater piping, this could indicate that your water heater is rusting inside. If your water heater is rusting, you will want to get this checked before it starts to leak.
  • Rumbling or banging noises – If you start to hear rumbling or banging noises coming from inside of your water heater as it heats up, this may be a sign that you need a replacement. As the water heater gets older, sediment starts to build up on the bottom of the tank and it hardens over time as the sediment is heated and reheated.

Knowing the age of your water heater and looking out for signs that you need to replace the appliance will help you stay safe and comfortable and avoid any water heater emergencies. If you think that you may need a new water heater, call the plumbing experts at Countryside for an evaluation: (800) 542-4243.

How To Determine if you have Bad Water Pressure

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You have most likely heard the old saying what goes in must come out. That is true for a variety of things in your home. Your food, your drink and the air you breathe are all vital components to you and your family staying healthy and happy. Did you know the air quality in your home or business should be an area of concern and caution for you? When your air quality is less than desirable it can be making you sick and causing you to have breathing problems or other illnesses. Testing your air quality is a great way to know what you are breathing in. It can also help you determine if something could be causing illnesses in your home or if your quality is less than desirable. Here are just a few reasons why this is so important in your home or business. 

Mold Growing In Ducts

By testing your air quality you can find out if there is any mold or bacteria growing in your air ducts that could be causing you breathing problems. Some people have severe allergies to mold and it can cause quite a few serious health issues for them. If you notice mold around your home or if you notice reoccurring health issues you can not find the source for, this could be the problem. By having a technician come into your home or business you can discover what might be lurking in those air vents. This is especially important if you have problems with humidity in the home or if it has been closed up for a while. 

Your Health

Your family and your health can be affected by the quality of air in your home. When there is a lot of allergens or pollutants lurking through your air vents they are making their way into your lungs. Asthma and allergies are just two ailments that can be affected by there being pollutants in the air. Remember you are constantly breathing these items in and they can make you sick. Other problems include items like legionnaires disease or bacteria in the air. These items lurk in ventilation systems and can cause major health problems. 

Your entire family can breathe easier when the air is of good quality and allergens and pollutants are reduced or eliminated. When your air is tested it can also tell you what is in the air and you can come up with solutions to get rid of those problems. 

Peace Of Mind

You can rest easy knowing that the air you and your family are breathing in is clean and safe. There’s nothing like having mysterious illnesses that can’t be figured out. By checking your air quality and fixing the issues there your family can be back to optimal health in no time. You will be glad you checked it when the source of your problems is found. Talk with your air technician if you want to have your air quality tested and make sure your home is safe.