Your water heater is one of those appliances that you probably don’t think about too often – until you hop into a freezing cold shower! Hopefully this never happens to you, but if it does you’ll have to consider whether you should repair or replace your water heater.
Signs Your Water Heater Isn’t Working
If your water heater is leaking or isn’t heating up your water, then something is wrong. Luckily, a water heater isn’t a complicated HVAC appliance. It only has a few parts which can break. These include:
- Thermostat
- Burner or heating element
- Valve sticks
- Circuit breaker (for an electric water heater)
- Pilot light (for a gas water heater).
It’s not expensive to repair or even replace any of these parts – likely no more than $150 to $300 (compare that to a new water heater which could cost between $500 – $1,500). In the end, a repair may be a smart option for your home, especially considering that you’ll be making a small investment into your existing water heater to repair any of these elements.
Is Your Water Heater More than Ten Years Old?
However, if your water heater is more than 10 years old then you’ll probably end up needing a new one soon anyway, so it’s advisable to choose a replacement over a repair. Instead of spending money on a repair and then having to replace your water heater in the near future, put the money you’d spend on the repairs towards a new unit.
Is Your Water Heater Leaking?
If your water heater is leaking, then it’s time to get a new one. For homeowners in the research phase, adding a tankless water heater covers some of the most common questions we hear. Unfortunately, a leak means that your water heater has corroded, which isn’t repairable. If cost is a primary factor in your decision, what situations call for emergency water addresses the financial side directly.
Things to Consider When Replacing Your Water Heater
If you’ve decided to replace your water heater with a new unit, then you’ll want to consider:
- A high-efficiency model that’s got the Energy Star stamp of approval (you’ll end up saving about 20% in energy costs with a newer, high-efficient water heater.
- Tankless water heaters, which offer on-demand hot water to reduce your energy costs. For water heater issues involving the gas line or pressure relief valve, a licensed plumbing and HVAC team is the right call — not a DIY fix.
- Whether you’ll purchase your water heater or rent it (there are benefits to both options).
Give us a call if you’re still not sure if you should repair or replace your water heater. The professionals at Handy Bros. Home Comfort are ready to help with your water heater emergencies! For anything heating or cooling related, our HVAC team can handle diagnostics, repairs, and full system replacements in one visit.
