Hot Water Systems

It typically depends on the hot water unit you have. For example, continuous flow units should be serviced once a year, just like heat pump powered systems.

Meanwhile, if you have a solar unit, you only have to call a plumber for a regular maintenance check every five years. It’s the same with electric and gas storage. Still, owners are required to lift the Pressure and Temperature Relief Valve lever for about 10 seconds or so every six months. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommendation.

Hot water units typically have a lifespan of 10 years. Thanks to technological advancements, though, many systems can last more than a decade.

If your current unit malfunctions but is just a few years old, you may want to call a licenced plumber for repair. Read the product warranty, as well. Gas continuous flow units, for instance, can have a 10 to 12-year warranty, meaning they are expected to outlast 10 years.

Hot water units are complex appliances. Fixing it on your own is dangerous and can automatically void the warranty. Trying to repair it without proper knowledge and experience just to save money is not worth the risk.

Always call a plumbing professional when you have a problem with your hot water unit. Plumbers can quickly diagnose the issue. With their training, they know how to fix these problems, such as creaking, rumbling, or popping sounds from the unit. Leaks and murky water with a rusty tinge require attention from a plumber, as well.

There are two main types. The first one is a storage system, where the heated water is stored in an insulated tank. You can access hot water instantly since it is ready for use. Most gas, electricity, solar, and heat pump water heaters are of the storage system type.

The second type is a continuous system, which simply heats water whenever you require it. That’s why continuous systems are also known as tankless water heating units. They use LPG, natural gas, or electricity.

To know which system suits your needs, you should determine your budget, household size, and the hot water requirements of each member. You may also want to think about the environmental impact of the system. Tank systems, for example, can carry from 25 litres to 400 litres of hot water. They can be powered by gas, electricity, and solar.

Tank systems allow you to store water that you can use for later. However, many environmental advocates believe that tankless systems are better. Since those systems do not store water, they do not waste energy to maintain water temperature. Tankless systems have higher purchase and installation costs but are deemed cheaper to operate.

The type of water heater and heating method, as well as the size, determine the price of the unit. Solar water heaters are generally the most expensive. A roof-mounted solar to help boost your electric power can cost from $3,600 to $4,400. It becomes even costlier when used as a gas boost, going anywhere from $4,900 to $7,000 or more.

On the other hand, the most affordable is an electric hot water system with a tank, which is around $459 for a 25-litre capacity tank. For a higher capacity, you will probably pay approximately $1,800 for a 400-litre tank. Instant or continuous electric units are more expensive, starting at $660 per unit but usually do not cost more than $1,300.

The best way to make sure your water heater lives to its fullest is to have it serviced regularly. Some require less maintenance than others, but you should still have them checked once a year. Also, don’t hire unlicensed people just to save money. You can end up with a damaged unit and an invalid warranty.

It is also recommended to drain and flush the unit once a year, which will remove sediment build-up in the tank. You can DIY the basic inspection tasks, such as checking the temperature settings, the pressure release valve, and tank or pipe insulation. You should also have the anode rod replaced once every three years.