Should You Repair Or Replace Your Commercial Water Heater?
If your commercial water heater has been causing you no end of trouble recently, you may be thinking of getting a replacement. Or maybe you are simply looking to upgrade to a more energy-efficient model. Before doing so, however, you may be wondering if your existing heater can be salvaged through doing some simple repairs. The answer will vary based on the state of your existing unit and the problems you are facing. In this article, we give you a guide on whether you should repair or replace your commercial water heater.
Typical Lifespan of a Water Heater
Most water heaters have a lifespan of 3 to 5 years, but this can vary based on model, the way it was installed, whether proper care and maintenance have been carried out and many other factors. If your heater is more than 10 years old and has been behaving erratically, you may want to get a replacement straight away. Not only are there newer, more energy efficient models on the market today, the cost of repairing it may add up to about the same as what a new one would cost.
Common Water Heater Issues
If your water heater is not heating water to your desired temperature, the problem could lie with your thermostat or a damaged heating element. To troubleshoot an electric water heater, simply drain your heater of any sediments, replace the heating element and raise the temperature setting. Do the same for a gas water heater, but instead of replacing the heating element, clean the gas burner and replace the thermocouple.
A hissing or sizzling noise could indicate that sediment has built up inside the heater and needs to be flushed. In addition, test the pressure relieve valve by lifting the handle and letting go. This action should cause a burst of water to be released into the overflow drainpipe. If you have not been carrying out inspections and maintenance on your water heater regularly, you may have unknowingly shortened its lifespan.
If troubleshooting does not resolve any of the above problems, it could be time to get a replacement water heater.
Replacing Your Water Heater
It’s time to face it: you need to replace your water heater. When upgrading, you may want to take into consideration the below factors:
- What is the capacity of the new model?
- What are the dimensions of the new unit – can it fit comfortably into the space you have?
- What is the energy efficiency rating of the new heater?
- What warranty is available for the unit?
- Is it the new model dynamic that makes use of the most advanced technologies?
Do You Need to Replace Your Commercial Water Heater?
Do all signs point towards replacing instead of repairing? If so, you have come to the right place at Water Heating Direct. Our Brigade Water Heater has been specially designed with the needs of commercial clients in mind and we have a diverse clientele across various industries. Please feel free to contact us today if you require more information.