Electric Water Heaters
The electric water heater is not as common as the gas water heater. When we get calls to repair or replace electric hot water heaters, its usually an apartment unit or a commercial building. The reason for electric water heaters in apartment building is that most apartments do not have gas because if they do have gas the landlord will have to pay to heat the water. When the unit is set up with no gas, the tenant pays to heat the water through the electric bill. The same goes for commercial buildings, the only water that needs to be hot is the small instahot water heater, it’s like a mini tank-less water heater under the sink in the bathroom. The other advantage of having an electric water heater is you don’t have to have an exhaust vent that the gas water heater has that has to go all the way up through the roof to vent the fumes and carbon monoxide.
Electric Water Heater Repair
Electric Water heaters are generally reliable and if you clean them annually, you can extend the life of the heater by doublerather easily. From time to time they do have problems. Electric water heaters are basically a storage tank. One advantage of this type of water heater is if we have an earth quake, you will have forty or fifty gallons of fresh water. Most people don’t think about that but as you know in California, it can happen at any time. Below are some of the most common problems with electric water heaters, I will try to explain what it is and how to repair it. You may want to do it yourself or know what your talking about when our plumber arrives.
These are the most common questions and problems:
Why do I have no hot water?
The hot water runs out quickly
I hear a high pitched whistle
The water is rust colored
I have water leaking around base of the water heater
The water heater is rumbling and popping
You can do some research online and try to do it yourself, but we do NOT recommend repairing your own hot water heater, this is one of the most dangerous appliances in your home. We recommend only a professional to do any repairs on hot water heaters.
Electric Water Heater Installation
Installing an electric water heater is not all that hard to do unless your doing it by yourself. Not only is it heavy, it’s a little awkward as well. The best way to get an estimate on a new electric water heater is to have a local plumber to come to your home and look at the job before you get a bid. Most bids for hot water heaters over the phone are not accurate. The reason is, when the plumber gets to your home he may find that the emergency shut off valve is not working, You don’t have the proper earth quake straps or the tempter and pressure relive valve is not a ran to the out side of the home. These are just a few of the extra things that the plumber may spring on you after he has given you a price. This is the reason you need to have a plumber look at the job in person and give you a solid price. Remember, the sweet taste of a low price will turn bitter when you are hit with a larger bill.
We will come to your home or business and give you a solid price and all your options and let you choose what is best for your family and budget. We install the following Hot Water Heaters.