POMPANO BEACH WATER HEATER REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENT
Water heaters are a critical part of our everyday lives. Imagine coming home from a day sunbathing at Pompano Beach near the pier or from a day out fishing on the 'Helen S' and not being able to take a nice, warm shower?
Water heaters make it all possible because they regulate the temperature of the water in your home. Whether to repair or replace your unit, choosing the correct size, should you go with a traditional water tank unit or ‘tankless’ and who should perform the repairs or new water heater installation are all good questions that we will cover here and that our Pompano Beach plumbers are ready to assist you with.
REPAIR YOUR WATER HEATER VS. REPLACING WITH A NEW ONE?
It really depends on age, condition and your budget. Water heaters are relatively simple appliances so here are the things that could break down and require repair or replacement:
● When the thermostat breaks
● If the pilot light goes out ( gas heater )
● If the circuit breaker trips
● If the heating element fails.
● The water heater’s valve sticks
But the thing to keep in mind is that the average water heater repair is $150.00 - 300.00 approximately. So a good rule of thumb is that if it is a relatively new unit of up to 5 years old you may consider getting the part repaired. If older than that, it makes more sense to install a new unit. New water heaters are typically under $1,000 installed and a new one will be about 20% more efficient than your old one.
WHEN SHOULD YOU INSTALL A NEW WATER HEATER?
A conventional water heater storage tank lasts from 10 - 12 years on average. If it is nearing the end of its life-cycle, buying a new unit / unit replacement is the best way to go typically. If you have a tankless, then it can last up to 20 years.
That being said, one of our customers in Palm Aire replaces their water heater like clockwork every 5 years to gain the efficiency advantages of installing a new unit.
Look at the water that comes out of the hot faucet. If it has a rusty color, it’s an indication that you have or may soon have a problem with your water heater. Look for signs of dripping water, muddy water, rust or increased sediment in and around the water tank.
If you are handy, you can also connect a hose to the drainage bib on the water heater, turn the unit off and drain it to examine its contents. But likely you should leave this type of work to a residential plumbing expert.
WHAT SIZE WATER HEATER DO I NEED?
If you are in a condominium in Snug Harbor or Garden Isles you will need a smaller unit than if you are in a luxury home near Pompano Beach. Most people have water tanks that hold the water. Newer ‘tankless’ units only heat the water and could be a great option if you live in a smaller condominium.
If you are in the market for a new water heating unit, then the main thing to consider is how many people are living in your Pompano Beach area home. If your home has between 1 and 2 people in it, you should get a water heater with at least a 30-gallon capacity. If there are between 2 and 3 in your home, you'll need at least a 40-gallon capacity tank. If you have 3 to 5 people in the home - then you should use a water heater of between 46 to 56 gallons and for 5 or more people use a unit that is over 56 gallon. A good rule of thumb plumbers use is to add 10 gallons to the total of 56 for each additional person.
You also need to decide between a tankless water heater vs. the more traditional kind. Tankless are very efficient and don’t take up much room but they are up to 3x more than conventional tanks. Best thing would be to talk to your Pam Blount plumber and get his/her advice.
Located at 221 S.W. 5th Street, Pompano Beach, we’ve been serving Pompano, Lighthouse Point and the surrounding community for over 20 years. Call us at 954 786 0477 or click here for a free plumber quote.