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Replacing Your Hot Water Heater

By Scott Rodgers

Republish: EasyPublish™
Published: 11Jul2009
Word count: 576
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The water heater is an immensely important fixture in your house. You rely on it for all sorts of things such as washing and cleaning. The heater tends to be so reliable that you might not even think about it, until one day you're having a shower and the water turns to cold and then you have a major problem. It is best, therefore, to maintain your heater regularly and be aware of when it needs replacing before it stops working. There are a number of things you need to keep an eye on when maintaining your heater. The anode rod can over time deteriorate and will need replacing. Sediment deposits can build up at the bottom of the tank, which can cause popping sounds when the burners ignite. It is best to drain out these sediments regularly. The thermostat needs to be checked that it is working effectively, as this is what controls the temperature of the water. And a broken dip tube can result in the incoming cold water being mixed with the outgoing hot water. There is also the chance of uncontrolled thermal expansion.

If you are not experienced in maintaining a water heater, it is best to bring in a plumber to maintain it annually. It may be an expense, but it can keep your water heater working for a number of extra years before you need to replace it.

However, there comes a time when you will have no choice but to replace the unit. Or you may have decided that you would like a more efficient, or more environmentally friendly option.

One possibility is a system called Hot Water On-Demand. The system works by using a thermostatically activated computer chip that controls a re-circulating pump. It not only pulls hot water instantly from your water heater, but it re-circulates your cold water back to the hot water heater to be heated and used whenever needed. You therefore only use hot water when you need it, and you don't waste the water going down the drain while you're waiting for the hot water to appear. However, this is an expensive option, and it is best to discuss with the supplier if this is the best option for your household's water usage.

You can also use a tankless hot water system which effectively only heats the water that you need when you need it. This means that the water isn't continually being heated and reheated within a large tank. The best way of using this system is having a number of units throughout the house where you use hot water. However, if this is not possible and you can only install one larger unit, you'll find it is limited in being able to supply enough hot water to more than one fixture at a time.

Another option is to investigate solar power, supplemented by an energy efficient water heater tank powered by gas or electricity. You may find, particularly if you live in a warmer climate, that this is a highly efficient and cost-effective option which is good for the environment and for your reduced energy bill.

There are a number of options and the technology is improving by the day as companies strive to produce more efficient and environmentally-friendly options, so it would be well worth your while to talk to a number of suppliers and visit home shows where suppliers display their latest products.

Scott Rodgers is a plumber who has recently begun writing articles for both a plumbing and non-plumbing audience. To view more of plumbing articles, visit http://eLocalPlumbers.com

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