What to Do If Your Water Heater’s Performance Is Sub-Par

Hot water is easy to take for granted, but it’s difficult to do without. Water heater performance can decline for any number of reasons. It could be due to something simple that can be repaired, or it could be a sign of a more serious problem that may require a new water heater.

Deciding whether to replace or repair a storage tank water heater can be a difficult decision. The following list of pros and cons can help you make an informed decision:

Water Heater Replacement Pros

• Helps meet the changing needs of your household. If your family has grown since you purchased your home, you may find that a new water heater can meet your needs better by heating water faster and not running out of hot water as quickly or easily.
• May increase energy efficiency. A new water heater could save you money on your monthly utility bill, perhaps enough to cover the cost of the unit. These days, new water heaters come pre-insulated, which helps keep the water hot longer, without as many heating cycles.

Water Heater Replacement Cons

• Replacement can be costly. The cost of replacing your water heater may be more expensive than repairing it, unless your current model is old and failing.
• Installation may be difficult. If you switch from electric to gas, the venting step will add to the cost of installation.

Water Heater Repair Pros

• Repairing could save money. If the problem is isolated to a specific part, repairing only that issue probably will be most cost-effective.
• The water heater may have good years left. If your water heater is only a few years old, you may get several more good years out of the unit by fixing the specific problem.

Water Heater Repair Cons

• If the unit is old, you may have additional issues after the repair. While you may fix the issue causing the poor water heater performance, you may face a different issue before you know it.
• You may keep an inefficient unit. While repairing your new unit may be less expensive, you may be keeping a water heater that costs you more in terms of energy bills.

For more information on your water heater performance and whether replacement or repair is right for you, please contact Sobieski Services, Inc. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland and New Jersey about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC and plumbing systems).

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