4 Things To Know About Gas Water Heaters
Are you in need of a new water heater, but not sure which one to get? Here are a few things you should know about gas water heaters before you make a decision.
Repairs
One of the main reasons that you should get a gas water heater is because everything on the tank can be changed aside from the tank itself. You can get a new gas valve, burner assembly, thermocouple, or anode rod if any of them are going bad. This means that a gas water heater is possible to repair as long as it is not leaking water through a hole in the tank. When your water heater stops working, you need to decide on how long you are going to be living in the home, the age of the water heater, and if it is worth making a repair or replacement.
Costs
In general, you'll find that a gas water heater is cheaper to run than an electric water heater. This is because the cost of gas is going to be cheaper than electricity in most parts of the country. However, a gas water heater is typically more expensive than an electric water heater. It's definitely something to consider when you look at the cost to purchase the water heater and the long-term costs of running it.
Safety
All gas water heaters are going to have a pressure relief valve. This is a safety feature that's part of every hot water heater tank, and it is designed to relieve pressure inside the tank as a safety feature. If the pressure inside becomes too much, the valve opens and releases some water so that the tank doesn't explode. If you see water around this valve, it may not be due to a leak in the tank but because it is working as intended.
Size
Be aware that hot water heaters have changed in size over the years. New ones are not going to be the same size as old ones, even if they hold the same amount of water. This means that pipes may need to be extended to reach a new gas-powered hot water heater that is shorter, leading to some additional plumbing and gas line work that you did not anticipate.
Feel confused about purchasing a new hot water heater in your home? Reach out to a specialist in your area that can install this appliance for you.
