Jul. 14, 2025
Water heaters are an appliance most homeowners don’t think about until something goes wrong; there’s no hot water, it starts making terrible noises, or in the worst of cases, it springs a major leak. Then the rush to repair or replace it follows and many customers spend hundreds of dollars on a solution they weren’t sure was the right one.
guangteng supply professional and honest service.
At Ben Franklin Plumbing, we work hard to ensure these expensive emergencies don’t happen to our customers. We’ve put together the Top 4 Questions our customers ask most often when their water heater is already going bad, with the intention of helping you make the best decision for your home and budget should you find yourself in the same situation in the future.
Most water heaters last between 10 and 15 years. If yours is older or you aren’t sure when it was last replaced, it may be nearing the end of its life.
If you have galvanized piping, you may have rusty pipes. A good test to avoid replacing a functioning water heater is to drain a few five-gallon buckets of hot water out of the water heater. By the third bucket, if the water from your heater is still coming out rusty, then most likely the water heater (not the piping) is at fault.
Over time, sediment will build up on the bottom of the tank and eventually harden as it heats and reheats. This process cause your water tank to make banging or rumbling sounds and operate less efficiently. Eventually, this will make the metal tank brittle, leading to cracks and leaks.
It’s important to monitor when this is happening; the tank may leak when it’s hot and expanded, then stop once it cools down and contracts. Don’t be fooled into thinking the problem resolved itself. It means a bigger leak could be coming and it’s a warning sign to address it now. (As a precaution, check your temperature/pressure overflow pipe to be sure it is not the source of the leak. You don’t want to unnecessarily replace your water tank if that is not the source of failure and leaks. If the connections and fittings are dry, then it is time to replace your hot water heater.)
First, make sure the temperature is set between 120 to 140 degrees. If it is lower than 120 degrees, your water will feel warm but not hot. If it is set within the proper range and still only warm, it’s most likely one of two things; 1) your pilot light is out or the circuit breaker has tripped or 2) your hot water heater is failing and should be inspected for replacement by one of our licensed, insured, and warrantied Ben Franklin plumbing professionals.
This could mean the lining of your inner tank is breaking down due to age and metal grit or flakes are mixing with your water supply.
At the time, it may seem like paying for a repair is always less expensive than replacement. However, in relatively short order, you will have paid out the price of a new water heater to keep an aging one limping along, risking an eventual catastrophic failure.
With proper maintenance, and depending on the style of water tank you have, traditional or tankless, you may see a lifespan between 10 and 20 years.
A traditional tank-type water heater lasts an average of eight to 12 years. Inside the tank, an anode rod protects the interior lining by attracting all corrosive particles to itself through a process called electrolysis. When the rod has corroded to such an extent that it can no longer do its job, those particles settle at the bottom of the water tank, where they eventually destroy the lining. Once corrosion starts inside the tank, the water heater has entered into its final stage of life.
A tankless water heater can last up to 20 years, sometimes even longer. Also called “on-demand” water heaters, these appliances do not work continuously to maintain a supply of hot water—and, as a result, they last longer than their tank-style counterparts. Eventually, though, tankless water heaters (which do not use anode rods) will also suffer from corrosion and require replacement.
It goes without saying that regular maintenance will help you get maximum life and performance out of your water heater. Some normal “wear and tear” repairs are relatively simple and can be done yourself, such as replacing a pressure-relief valve or a heating element.
This may be your deciding factor right out of the gate. If your home is wired for an electric powered water heater, that’s the obvious and most inexpensive choice versus installing a natural gas line. If you do have a natural gas line available, then you can more easily choose between gas or electric. There are even conversion kits on the market that will allow you to run a natural gas powered water heater off of propane.
Gas water heaters tend to have higher initial costs than comparable electric water heaters, but can also cost less to operate over time. In many areas of the country, the cost of natural gas is lower than the cost of electricity. While a water heater’s price tag is important, it shouldn’t be your only deciding factor. Cost of operation, efficiency, and performance should also play a role in your decision.
A gas or electric water heater’s energy factor (EF) is a measurement that compares the amount of hot water the heater produces per day to the amount of fuel it consumes. The higher the EF number, the more efficient the water heater. While the efficiency of gas and electric models tends to be fairly similar, especially when you’re looking at models of the same manufacturer and size, certain types of electric-powered models—including heat pump and hybrid heat pump units--have the efficiency advantage.
You can find a water heater’s EF rating either on its packaging or in the literature that accompanies the appliance. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires every new conventional water heater to have a bright yellow and black Energy Guide label that states the appliance’s energy factor as well as the following information:
Due to combustion, gas produces heat more quickly than an electric heating element. As a result, the FHR and GPH tend to be higher for gas water heaters than they are for comparable electric models with the same manufacturer and tank size.
Their slim, space-saving design makes tankless water heaters a great alternative to traditional models, which often require an entire closet or corner in the garage. Here are three ways a tankless water heater can add value to your home.
According to Energy.gov, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than the alternative, but depending on how much hot water you use, the magnitude of that difference changes. For example, as Energy.gov points out, if you use 41 gallons or less of hot water each day, a tankless water heater can be 24 to 34 percent more efficient. On the other hand, if you use an especially large amount of hot water, tankless water heaters are up to 14% more efficient. Depending on the amount of hot water you need, the value of a tankless water heater may go up or down. It’s worth noting that even though the relative efficiency of a tankless water heater may diminish with a larger volume of hot water needs, the savings you earn will still be greater in real dollars.
A tankless water heater is often mounted on the wall, freeing up useful floor space and giving back about 10 to 15 square feet of storage to you and future prospective buyers.
Words like “sustainability” and “carbon footprint” hold increasing importance to the newer generations of home buyers. Energy efficiency and environmental responsibility play an important role in the decisions young adults make when it comes to purchasing homes, cars, and other large assets. Additionally, they are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Upgrading your home with energy efficient and resource conservative systems, like a tankless water heater, make it more attractive to this demographic.
Let our Ben Franklin plumbing experts inspect your water heater system for a fair and accurate assessment today. Additionally, replacing a hot water heater, in many counties and cities, legally requires the work to be done by a licensed, insured, and bonded professional who can arrange permitting and inspection. Our Ben Franklin plumbers are well versed on the code requirements in all of our service areas and we not only save you money, but spare you legal headaches related to improper work.
If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Heat Pump Water Heater With Water Tank.
Rest assured, our Ben Franklin Plumbers are always standing ready to respond 24/7. We have the advanced tools and know-how to detect problems, make repairs or replace with quality new parts.
If you put “Best Plumbers Near Me” in your search engine, we’re at the top of that list, now let us be at the top of yours! Be it an emergency or routine plumbing service, we’ll respond quickly, quote fairly, and talk to you honestly. Our monthly service and product specials can also save you money!
More Australians are installing heat pump water heaters as an energy-efficient alternative to traditional electric and gas hot water systems. They use ambient heat from the surrounding air to heat water, helping homeowners save on their hot water energy consumption and reduce their carbon emissions.
However, there are some common questions to consider before installing a heat pump. In this article, we’ll look at the 10 most frequently asked questions about heat pump water heaters to help you make an informed decision.
A heat pump extracts heat from the surrounding air and transfers it to your water in a few key steps:
Solar and heat pump water heaters are both renewable options, but have some key differences. Solar hot water heaters use the sun’s direct and indirect solar radiation to heat water through collectors mounted on the roof, whereas a heat pump uses the ambient heat in the surrounding air.
A heat pump is an excellent alternative for homes where solar may not be suitable due to reasons such as too much shade, limited roof space and your home’s orientation.
Heat pumps are eligible for Small-scale Technology Certificates (STCs), an Australian Federal Government program to reduce the upfront cost. Some states also have their own incentives which can be used in addition to STCs to help further reduce the initial cost.
How much you can save with these incentives depends on your location, the capacity and efficiency of your new heat pump water heater, and the system you are replacing.
ALSO READ: What renewable energy incentives are available in Australia?
Not only does a heat pump have a similar storage tank to an electric hot water system, but it often uses similar electrical and plumbing connections, making for an easy replacement provided your existing system is installed outdoors.1
A heat pump needs sufficient space outdoors for air circulation, so be sure to speak with your plumber or local Rheem solar specialist to evaluate your setup.
Heat pumps work in cold weather to ensure you have hot water when you need it most. Here are some details on the temperatures Rheem heat pump water heaters can operate in:
If temperatures fall below the minimum level or the heat pump stops heating for any reason, there is a backup element to ensure you always have a supply of hot water. The Rheem MPi- 325 Series II Heat Pump has a 3.6kW backup element, and the Rheem AmbiPower and Ambiheat options have a 2.4kW element.
How much energy you can save depends on different factors including the climate where you live, type of water heater being replaced, hot water consumption and fuel tariff. As a guide, here is how much you could save when replacing a similar-sized electric water heater with each Rheem heat pump.3
Installing a heat pump has environmental benefits. Because they use a renewable source of energy, they consume less energy and emit fewer carbon emissions.
Also, newer heat pump systems are manufactured using lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants. GWP is a measure of how much heat a greenhouse gas traps in the atmosphere over a specific time, usually 100 years. When released in the atmosphere, they act like a blanket insulating the earth and have a significant impact on global warming. Hence, the lower the GWP a heat pump has, the more environmentally friendly it is.
Rheem’s AmbiPower 280e Heat Pump uses the Ultra Low GWP refrigerant R290. The Rheem AmbiPower MDc-180 and Rheem Ambiheat HDc-270 Heat Pumps use low GWP refrigerant 513a.
Heat pumps make some noise due to the operation of the fan. Newer systems are designed to make less noise, comparable to that of an air conditioner or refrigerator.
It is recommended you have an annual inspection of your heat pump water heater by a plumber. This includes checking and cleaning air filters, inspecting the refrigerant level and removing any sediment buildup in the tank.
A licensed plumber will:
For more information about heat pumps or if you’re looking to install one for your home, speak to your local plumber or contact your local Rheem solar specialist today.
Disclaimers:
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Swimming Pool Heat Pump For Sale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Previous: Is EVI Heat Pump the Future of Heating?
Next: How Will Heat Pump Technology Revolutionize Pool Heating?
If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!
All Comments ( 0 )