Friday, September 6, 2013

How To Repair Your Electric Water Heater

By Carol Richardson


Think about how life was 50 or so years before. In order to get hot water, people had to physically heat water. If they wanted to bathe in a tub, they'd need to make several trips to and from the bathroom before the tub is filled. Then came heaters. Gas heaters were relatively more energy-efficient than the electric ones, but technological developments in the past few years certainly changed all these.

However, water heater manufacturers are constantly looking for ways to improve. The later models are actually more efficient. If you were to consider getting an electric heater for your home, then you need not worry about rising energy bills. Nonetheless, you need to know its basic parts just in case you need to repair your electric water heater.

Things You Need to Know about Your Electric Water Heater

Electric water heaters have now become more popular. But before you go out and buy the perfect unit for your home, you need to know its list of pros and cons. There are some facts you should be aware of.

Electric water heaters don't come in one type. You'll have to choose from different sizes and types. Of course, this will depend on your lifestyle and the size of your home. If you live in a small space, a 6-gallon tank is enough. On the other hand, if you come from a rather large family living in a household with several bathrooms, the 100-gallon electric heater will be better suited for you. There are also the Tankless heaters for those who live alone or in one-room apartments. While the tankless versions are more expensive, these are also a lot more energy efficient. The heater doesn't need to constantly heat its supply, which also means that it goes through less wear and tear. These generally outlast the tanked models and can serve you for around 20 years or so. Installing them will be easy as well because you already have electrical circuits in your home. The only problem with this is the fact that it takes a while to heat water.

Basic Electric Water Heater Troubleshooting

It's always best to leave repairs to the experts who know more about your electric water heater. However, you may need to know minor troubleshooting so that you can do something about your unit while waiting for the plumber to arrive:

If water temperature doesn't change, this could be with the fuse box or circuit breaker. Check for loose connections. If you find everything intact, check the heating element and see to it that it's clear of lime buildup. The element may have also been damaged due to high voltage. When you don't get enough hot water supply, check if you have the right sized tank for your home. It may be too small for what you need. The issue could also be with the damaged thermostat or with the tank's insulation.

When water doesn't recover quickly, look for sediment buildup. The best remedy is to Invest in a water softener. Also take care of the copper sheath and dip tube.

If your tank makes strange sounds, this could once more be lime buildup. Maintenance is key if you want to avoid this issue.




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