Tankless Water Heater Repair vs. Replacement: Which Option is Best for You in Warner Robins and MaconGA?
August 29, 2024
Tankless water heaters, a popular choice in Warner Robins and Macon, GA, are favored for their energy efficiency, space-saving design, and continuous hot water supply. However, like all machines, these units can develop issues over time, leaving homeowners with the decision of whether to repair or replace. In this dilemma, Buzzell Plumbing, a trusted company in the area, stands ready to assist. With their expert advice and reliable services tailored to your needs, they can help you make the best choice for your tankless water heater.
Understanding Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters, also called on-demand or instantaneous water heaters, work from old-school tank systems. These units store and heat water only sometimes. Instead, they use a gas burner or electric heating parts to warm the water as it passes through. This new approach has an impact on how we heat water and brings some perks such as:
- Energy Efficiency: Tankless water heaters use energy when you need hot water. This removes the standby heat losses you get with tank-style units. This can mean big savings on energy bills for homes that don't use much hot water.
- Longer Lifespan: If you take good care of them, tankless water heaters can work well for 20 years or more. That's almost twice as long as regular tank-style units last, providing you with long-term savings and peace of mind.
- Continuous Hot Water Supply: Tank-style heaters can run out of hot water. But tankless units keep giving you hot water as long as you don't ask for more than they can handle. They don't have a set limit like tanks do.
- Space-Saving Design: Wall-mounted tankless water heaters save space, making them a smart choice for homeowners who value space efficiency. They take up less room than traditional models, giving you more floor space in utility rooms or closets.Despite their advantages tankless water heaters can have problems. Common issues include mineral build-up, ignition failures, and system overload. These problems can impact how well the unit works and its efficiency.
When to Consider Repair
Sometimes, fixing a tankless water heater is the smartest and cheapest option. The team at Buzzell Plumbing knows how to spot and fix many issues. They can often make the unit last longer without replacing the whole thing. Here are some cases where they might suggest a repair:
- Electrical Faults: Broken control boards, wire problems, or issues with sensors and thermostats often need specific fixes.
- Clogged Filters or Vents: Filters and vents can get stuffed with junk over time, which limits water flow and proper air circulation. Cleaning and swapping out these parts by a pro can get things working right again.
- Minor Component Malfunctions: Problems with single parts, like solenoid valves, gas control valves, or ignition assemblies sometimes just need a new part put in without changing the whole system.
When homeowners choose to repair in these cases, they can often make their tankless water heater last longer and avoid spending big money on a complete replacement right away.
Signs You Might Need a Replacement
Sometimes fixing things works, but other times you might need to get a whole new tankless water heater. The experts at Buzzell Plumbing can help you figure out when it's time to replace your heater. This way, you'll know you're making a smart choice and getting the most for your money. Here are some signs that might mean it's time to replace your heater:
- Corroded Heat Exchanger: The heat exchanger plays a crucial role in a tankless water heater. When it gets corrupted or starts leaking, fixing it becomes impractical. In these situations, experts suggest getting a new one.
- Major Water Leaks: Big water leaks from the unit's body or inside parts can be tough and expensive to fix. Buying a new unit might save you money and be a more dependable option in the long run.
- End of Useful Life: Like other home appliances, tankless water heaters don't last forever. When your unit gets close to or goes past its expected lifespan (15-20 years), you might need to fix it often. Buying a new one makes more sense and saves you money in the long run.
- Not Enough Hot Water: Maybe your family has grown, or you're using more hot water than before. If this happens, your tankless water heater might need to catch up. Getting a bigger or stronger unit ensures you always have enough hot water.
By tackling these problems head-on, you can stop bigger and more expensive damage to your home. You'll also get to use the newest tankless water heater tech advances.
Weighing Costs and Benefits
When choosing between fixing or swapping out a tankless water heater, you need to consider both short-term and long-term costs and perks. Repairs might look cheaper at first, but they can pile up over time if the unit is getting old. Conversely, a new heater can cost a lot upfront, but it can save you money and work better in the long run.
To guide homeowners in making a smart choice, the experts at Buzzell Plumbing will do a complete check of your current system looking at things like:
- Age of the Unit: As tankless water heaters get older, replacing them becomes more cost-effective in the long run.
- Warranty Coverage: A unit still under warranty might have repairs covered, which can reduce costs.
- Household Hot Water Needs: If your current tankless water heater can't keep up with your family's hot water use or is too small, you might need to get a bigger or stronger replacement.
- Energy Efficiency: New tankless water heaters often use less energy than old ones, which can lead to big savings on your utility bills over time.
By looking at these factors, Buzzell Plumbing's experts can give you a detailed breakdown of costs. This helps you figure out if fixing your water heater now will save you money or if getting a new one might be better in the long run.
What Buzzell Plumbing Can Do for You
At Buzzell Plumbing, we know that every home is different. We work hard to give you solutions that fit your needs. Here's what we offer:
- Detailed Inspections: Our team of skilled technicians will closely examine your tankless water heater to spot any problems that need fixing.
- Expert Repairs: If we decide to fix your heater, our technicians have the know-how to handle all sorts of issues, from swapping out small parts to tackling bigger repair jobs.
- Full Replacements: Sometimes, getting a new heater is the best option. We offer many top-quality tankless water heaters from well-known brands. This ensures you get a unit that can meet your family's hot water needs and help you save on energy bills.
- Professional Installations: Our certified experts will handle the setup process. They'll make sure your new tankless water heater fits right, gets put in, and is set up to work its best while saving energy.
- Ongoing Maintenance: We offer full maintenance services to help your tankless water heater last longer and work better. This includes cleaning out buildup, flushing the system, and checking all the parts.
Choosing to fix or replace a tankless water heater is a big call that can affect your home's comfort, energy use, and overall expenses for years to come. To make a smart choice that fits your family's needs and budget, you should:
- Know the benefits of tankless water heaters
- Spot the signs that show you need to repair or replace
- weigh the costs and gains
At Buzzell Plumbing, our skilled team helps homeowners in Warner Robins and Macon GA, make this choice. We bring know-how, quality work, and a personal touch to offer solutions that fit your needs.
Can't decide whether to fix or swap out your tankless water heater?
Buzzell Plumbing can guide you to the right choice for your home and wallet.
Get in touch with us today for top-notch advice and service in Warner Robins and Macon GA
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But how do you know when it's time to stop repairing and start replacing? As your local HVAC pros, we’re here to help you identify the key signs that indicate it’s time for a new furnace, the benefits of upgrading, and what to expect from a new installation. If you have questions, we have answers! Give Buzzell Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning a call at 478-209-2591.
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