The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that Illinois’ households spend about 16% of their energy use on water heating. It’s essential to keep your costs down by delaying water heater replacement as much as possible. We’ll explain the signs that you should have a professional take a look at your system.
Your Water Heater is Old
Water heaters only last 10-12 years. As they age, they require much more frequent maintenance. If your heater is about ten years old, you should probably begin looking for a replacement. In the meantime, keep a relatively close eye on your water heater and check for leaks or spikes in your water heating bill.
Noisy
Water heaters can make noise when mineral deposits accumulate inside your tank. A professional can flush out the build-up in your system. Many warranties on water heater tanks require annual flushings, so keep that in mind if you want to preserve your warranty.
If the build-up is critical, a flushing may not be enough. Especially if your unit is older, it may be time to replace it.
Poor Performance
If your water heater is struggling to keep up with your usage, then you need to have a professional look at it. It could be something relatively simple to repair like a broken dip tube that brings water into the tank, or you could have so much sediment build-up that your system can’t heat effectively anymore.
In the latter case, you likely need a replacement.
Puzzling Puddles
When you check on your water heater, make sure to examine it for leaks. If you see any puddles, dry them up and come check back in a few hours. If you see that the pool has returned, you likely need help from a professional. They’ll be able to recognize the origin of the leak and advise you from there.