Costly Water Heater Mistakes Every Homeowner Should Avoid

Mark J. Biel • October 13, 2020

Given how hot water is a crucial element in every household, it always pays to keep tabs on your water heating system, which is why this should be at the top of your fall maintenance checklist. After all, a malfunctioning water heater doesn’t just make things inconvenient at home; it can also lead to costly damages and significant energy loss. Fortunately, preventing all these issues is simple enough–you just have to use the system correctly and avoid some common mistakes. The trusted  air duct cleaning  company in the area, R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc., discusses more about it here.

Setting the Water Heater Temperature Too High

This is probably one of the biggest mistakes you can make. The higher you set the temperature, the more energy your water heater consumes producing hot water for your home. Not only that–when the temperature is set too high, it will raise the pressure inside the tank to a dangerous level, making leaks more likely to occur. You probably already know that leaks in water heaters are incredibly costly to fix. Sometimes, it’s even better to just replace the water heater altogether instead of having it repaired. 

What You Should Do: Make sure the water heater temperature is set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Ignoring Loud Popping Noises From Your Water Heater

If you notice odd noises coming from your heating or cooling system, you should immediately consult an expert for a thorough checkup and  HVAC repair s, and the same rule applies when it comes to your water heater. Have it inspected immediately when you hear loud popping, hissing or banging noises coming from it. These sounds usually indicate serious sediment buildup inside the tank. This typically occurs when the minerals in the water supply settle and coat the bottom and sides of the tank.

When a water heater has sediment buildup, small pockets of water can get trapped between the buildup and the system’s burners or heating elements. When the water is heated into steam, the steam bubbles erupt forcefully from under the accumulated sediment, creating the loud popping noises. Because the buildup also creates a solid barrier between the burners, your water heater will have to work extra hard to heat your water. This will eventually lead to higher monthly energy bills.  

What You Should Do: Don’t overlook any loud noises coming from your water heater, and promptly call a trusted local plumbing and  HVAC repair  company like R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for high-quality solutions.

Forgetting to Schedule Annual Maintenance

Leaks and sediment buildup are common issues with water heaters, but you can actually prevent these problems from developing in the first place with professional maintenance. Without an annual tune-up, your water heater will often lose its efficiency due to sediment buildup, leaks or damaged components. An inefficient system translates to costly repair work and energy bills that are much higher than you would expect. Depending on the severity of the problem, you may even be compelled to invest in an early water heater replacement.

What You Should Do: Schedule an annual maintenance visit with the top plumbing and HVAC maintenance contractor in the area, R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Our trained and experienced technicians will perform a comprehensive inspection of all the water heater components to ensure they’re working properly. We’ll also determine whether there’s sediment buildup in the tank. If there is, all we need to do is “flush” it out to clear the tank of the accumulation. A clean and well-maintained water heater allows for smooth and reliable performance, all while keeping your home’s monthly energy costs to a minimum.

Buying the Wrong Size of Water Heater

When your existing system is already old and failing, the best solution is a replacement. Investing in a new water heater can be a daunting process, however, especially if it’s your first time purchasing one. You’ll want to make sure you have all your bases covered, which means taking size into account as well as the water heater brand or type. Getting something that’s too big wastes a considerable amount of hot water and leads to higher operating costs, while a system that’s too small may not generate enough hot water for your household when you need it most. 

What You Should Do:  Make sure to pick a water heater that’s just the right size for your home and specific needs. If you have trouble choosing, just turn to R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. In addition to handling  air duct cleaning , we can also manage your new water heater installation. Our professional team is more than happy to help you explore your available options and decide on the proper size of system to best suit your home.

Taking the DIY Route With Water Heater Installation

Installing your new water heater may seem easy on paper, but if you’re untrained, doing so can lead to serious mistakes that are very costly to fix. Not only that–you might inadvertently break local building codes as well, causing even more problems for you later on. For this reason, hire a professional plumbing company to handle the job instead.

What You Should Do: Getting a new water heater is a huge deal, and you don’t want to leave the work to just anyone. Even the best water heating systems are only as good as their installer, after all. But no worries–you just need to do some homework to ensure you’re hiring the right person for the job. For many New Mexico homeowners, that will be R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. We’re not just your go-to company for exceptional  HVAC maintenance ; you can also count on us for a safe, worry-free new water heater installation.

We are:

Reliable.  Our skilled plumbers will work on your project in a timely, efficient manner, configuring your new equipment to work smoothly with your existing plumbing and sewer systems. They’ll also give you an honest evaluation of your current plumbing needs and recommend upgrades that will easily meet them.

Experienced.  R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. has provided New Mexico homeowners with top-tier plumbing and HVAC solutions since 1988. When you choose us for your water heater installation or repair, expect the project to be done just right the first time.

Quick to Respond.  Our team of licensed and insured plumbers are ready and able to answer your calls 24/7. We’re not only knowledgeable about the best installation practices of all major brands of residential plumbing equipment–we’re also very familiar with local codes and regulations. You can also be sure our workmanship is always done up to code for your personal safety.

Look no further than R.A. Biel Plumbing & Heating, Inc. for all your water heater needs. Our service areas include Farmington, NM, and surrounding cities. Call us today at (505) 327-7755 or fill out this  contact form  to schedule your consultation.

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