After we put a new water heater in your home, there are a few important things to consider in order to make sure you get the most out of your investment. With a standard tank water heater (gas or electric), there’s not much followup that needs to be done to make sure a homeowner knows how it works and operates. However, for tankless water heaters, we typically do a followup after about 45 days to make sure everything is working as expected. Because tankless water heaters have very different technology and controls, making sure the client knows how to use it is very important to us.
Homeowners should also be careful not to minimize the significance of the water heater’s warranty. Whenever you have a piece of equipment put in your home, warranties can make a huge impact. One important thing to remember is, you should always find out exactly what is included with the warranty. If someone buys a water heater from us and we install it, our warranty means that if there’s absolutely any trouble with the system within the warranty period, we’ll go out and take care of it at no cost.
On the flip-side of that coin, if a homeowner would purchase a water heater on their own and get someone to install it, they would probably only be able to depend on the manufacturer’s warranty. It would cover parts, but a lot of times the homeowner would have to take the water heater out and bring it to where it was purchased (or remove the defective part). Even though you might be able to find someone to take the part off for you, the whole process can be pretty nerve wracking. Whether you have a lemon or a part simply failed, the warranty really matters to get these kinds of issues resolved.
The next thing to consider is maintenance. Whether it’s a tankless or tank water heater, the manufacturer will mandate regular maintenance in order for it to reach its life expectancy. A tankless water heater’s maintenance is slightly more complicated, but a tank water heater’s manual will state that it should be flushed once a year. The anode rod and the safety valve (T&P valve) should be checked every 1 to 2 years. Some manufacturers will recommend replacing the T&P valve every 3 years. It’s important that you pay attention to these recommendations to maximize the water heater’s lifespan and protect your investment.
It’s incredibly easy to forget about your water heater until it stops working. There’s nothing worse than jumping into a cold shower because a water heater didn’t receive proper care. If you have any questions about your home’s water heater, contact us online or give us a call at 540-483-9382.
