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Water Heater Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on July 14, 2021 by Melbourne Plumber

The water heater is an invaluable device to have in the 21st century home. Once considered a luxury, having instant access to hot water is now considered a necessity. Can you imagine all the complaints a hotel would receive if their water heater went out for just 24 hours?

In this article we would like to go over some of the most common questions concerning water heaters and then answer them as well.

1. Q. What is the best temperate to keep my hot water heater? A. The temperature to keep your water heater is 120 degrees. This is the temperature which they are usually set by the manufacturer and the one at which the device seems to work optimally.
2. Q: Why does my water heater keep leaking? A: Having a leaky water heater is a common occurrence which should be rectified as soon as possible. Not only are you losing water but you are losing water which has been heated, requiring more electricity and money to do so. Check to se that all fittings are tight and screwed on correctly. Check to see if there are tiny holes in the connections. If you cannot see the problem, call a plumber to have them diagnose it with you.
3. Q: Why does my hot water keep running out? A: There are various reasons this could be happening. You may need a larger water heater. Or, you may have a broken dip tube. The heating element could be malfunctioning then consequently shut off by the thermostat.
4. Q: How can I conserve water and save money? A: We would all like to use less energy and save money. You can do this by getting low-flow shower heads in your home. You can also stop letting the water flow while you are shaving or brushing your teeth. Finally, making sure your water heater is functioning properly and there isn’t a massive amount of sediment build-up also helps it run more efficiently.
5. Why does my water heater smell? This is almost always related to the type of water which is coming into the house and is usually a result of having well water.  The rotten egg smell is sulfur being released from the water as it is being heated. You can buy a water treatment unit that installs at the main water pump. From there you can have the water piped to your water heater and the rest of your home.

We hope this article has answered some of your questions regarding hot water heaters and problems which you may face.

Water heaters average lifespan is 10 years so that means some will last 12 years and some will last only 8. Many problems which are faced by users are from aging water heaters and replacing them is usually the best route. An electric water heater for a small to medium sized home is relatively inexpensive.