When water heaters malfunction, they cause an enormous inconvenience to Calgary families in their households. These important appliances are responsible for keeping our dishes clean and showers hot.
Many families in Calgary reap the advantages of water heaters every day. So, when they malfunction, the right solution is important.
Understanding Water Heaters
In the market, you will find different kinds of water heaters. All have their own set of pros and cons. Common forms of these heaters include the following:
- Solar water heater
- Tankless water heater
- Conventional storage-tank water heater
- Heat pump water heater
Repair vs. Replacement: Deciding Factors
If you experience a sudden drop in water temperatures when taking a shower in the morning, it means there is a problem. Homeowners in Calgary heavily depend on water heaters or hot water tanks for their daily activities, including laundry, showering, and dishwashing.
When they face problems, it’s important to determine whether a repair or hot water tank replacement near me will do. To make the right decision, here are factors to look at:
Cost
Is the repair cost almost half the price of buying a new system? If yes, then replacing it will be a viable option. Usually, repairs appear less daunting, especially in the short term.
However, in the long term, the expenses can pile up to a large amount of money, thus dwarfing the price of buying a new water heater.
Age
The current system’s age determines when to replace or repair your water heater. Approximately, water heaters last between 10 and 20 years.
That means if your unit is approaching its life expectancy, it would be best to replace it. This is true, especially if repair costs are high.
Damaged Components
If the unit has damaged parts, whether it would be best to replace or repair depends on the damage severity. For example, if you own a new tankless system with faulty heating components, replacing those parts will be more affordable.
But if you own an older system with a faulty pilot light or heat exchanger, replacing it will be a better option. The expense of repairing such important parts in an older unit usually approaches the price of a new system. This makes replacement a more suitable option.
Increased Heating Bills
Do you always turn the shower dial even further to get your desired water temperature? This simply means your unit is now less energy efficient and thus works harder and longer to achieve similar results. Basically, this directly results in higher water heating bills.
Water heaters make up about 15% of the total energy bills. So, you shouldn’t ignore this inefficiency. If you have an old unit that no longer produces hot water, it would be best to replace it immediately.
The bottom line is that choosing between replacing and repairing your unit encompasses evaluating different factors. These factors don’t just include efficiency. They also include age, damage factors, and increasing energy bills, to name a few.
