Water Heater Replacement Service in Memphis

There comes a time for every Memphis homeowner when their water heater isn’t functioning as efficiently as it once did and is heading for a complete breakdown. At this point, the costs of repairs may become greater than the cost of replacing the whole unit. A good quality water heater can last more than a decade or two, depending on the type, but even the best ones may need replacing after that. Installing a new water heater can be exciting and bring peace of mind, knowing that your water heating system is up to date, and running efficiently with the newest technology. When it comes to replacing an older water heater with a new one, there are many different options to consider.

Storage / Tank Water Heaters

Storage water heaters are often referred to as conventional or traditional water heaters because they are, by far, the most common type of water heaters found in a home. This heating method uses a large, insulated reservoir of water that it keeps heated and ready to go. When someone uses hot water, to turn on a shower, for example, the hot water from this storage tank goes through pipes from the tank to the showerhead. As the hot water goes out, the unheated water goes in the bottom, replacing the used hot water, where it will be heated.

The water storage unit stores, on average, about 20 to 80 gallons of water. However, if the heated water is used faster than it can be replaced, the home will be without hot water until the cold water can be heated again. This is why a family with this kind of water heater might “run out” of hot water if too much of it is used at once.

When looking for a new storage water heater, you will want to buy one with a strong thermal resistance (R-Value). One of the cons of a storage water heater is that, because there is always a reservoir of hot water, it must continually be heated. There is a constant cooling of the water in the tank even when it’s not being used. A tank with a high R-Value can help prevent this heat loss. An R-Value of R-12 to R-25 is recommended.

The average age of a storage water heater is 10 to 15 years. After that time, it will likely need to be replaced.

Tankless Water Heater

One of the main benefits of a tankless water heater is that there is none of the reservoir water heat loss like what happens in a storage water heater. A tankless water heater works by heating water directly as it’s being used, so that only the water that needs to be hot is heated. In fact, a tankless water heater can be 8-34% more energy-efficient than a storage water heater. This can mean big savings on heating bills with a tankless water heater.

The average lifespan of a tankless water heater is 20 years or more.

Which Water Heater Is Right for Me?

Several factors should be taken into consideration when deciding which water heater is right for you. A tankless water heater is more expensive on the front end to install but is more energy efficient. It is also important to note that one tankless water system often cannot meet the hot water needs of the average family all at once. Often, more than one is needed to meet these demands. A tankless water heater might also require changes to the plumbing and electrical systems to replace a traditional water heater in a Memphis home.

Inquiring about tax credits may also be a deciding factor in which type of water heater to get. Some Tennessee homes may be eligible for Federal Tax credits depending on what type of water heating system they have installed.

Premier Plumbing & Mechanical are experts at Storage Water and Tankless Water Heater Replacement. Please contact us with any questions you may about replacing your water heater today.