The What, How, and Why of Water Heaters

HomeBlogThe What, How, and Why of Water Heaters

A water heater is not just a large cylindrical container in your garage or shed that gives you hot water. There is so much more that you should know about your water heater, especially if you need to have it replaced or repaired. There are several types of water heaters available, but the most common are the large storage tank water heaters and tankless water heaters. Let’s dive into these more fully.

The What, How, and Why of Water Heaters

The large storage tank water heaters are the most common, often found in a utility closet inside your home or in garages or sheds attached to your home. These are connected by gas or electricity. A water heater connected to gas is much like having a gas-burning stove under the large tank to heat it. These require exhaust systems to allow for the gases to escape safely outside. Electric water heaters use internal heating elements and well-insulated walls to heat the water and keep it warm.

Tankless water heaters can also utilize either gas or electric connections; however, they are more on demand and therefore do not store hot water for the home. They heat the water when a faucet is turned on in the home and shut it off as soon as the water flow stops. They can be a great option for energy efficiency if you don’t use a lot of hot water. There are options for smaller or larger-size tankless water heaters, but it would be wise to discuss this with our professionals to see if this option is right for your home.

Most people don’t look into repairing or replacing water heaters until it is too late, and a problem has already occurred. Water heaters usually last about 10 years before needing to be replaced. But with proper maintenance and repairs, it could last longer. Schedule an appointment with our professionals at BL Plumbing Service to have us assess your water heater and help you get the best life from your water heater and continued access to hot water when you need it.