DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Water Heater’

Replace vs. Repair Your Water Heater

Thursday, April 24th, 2014

No home appliance lasts forever, and with any one of them you will eventually face the question of whether you should continue with repairs to keep the device running, or invest in a replacement.

A storage water heater lasts, on average, between 10 to 15 years. (Tankless systems tend to last longer.) The longevity depends on the model, the quality of water from the municipal source, the regularity of maintenance and repairs, and other factors. The manufacturer of the water heater in your home should have listed an estimated lifespan for the system on the tank. But even with this guideline, it often isn’t easy to tell when you should repair or replace. We’ll help focus your decision when it comes to the “repair vs. replace” debate. However, you should still seek a professional opinion before you make the choice. For a water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, call the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling for advice, repairs, and installation.

Repair?

If your water heater is still under the estimated lifespan by a few years, and especially if it is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty from the installer, you should look into repairs first when the system shows signs of malfunctions. If you have kept up with annual routine maintenance, the system should still be in good enough health that a targeted repair from a professional will restore the system and keep it moving toward its estimated lifespan. (And don’t delay with any repairs; prompt action is the key to a long lifespan.)

Replace?

If a water heater is 15 years or older, you should already be thinking of replacing it even before a malfunction occurs… but a malfunction should serve as the final warning flag. If a water heater is close to the end of its estimated lifespan, pay special attention to problems like less available hot water or rusty-colored water coming from the taps. Rust inside the tank is usually a strong sign the system is close to a complete and final failure.

If you do choose to replace the water heater, you may want to consider going with a tankless model. These systems have greater longevity and energy efficiency, and they do not run out of hot water. Ask your installer about this option to see if it fits your home.

DuAll Heating & Cooling is ready with repairs for your water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, or with advice for new installation—whichever ends up the case we’ll help you make the right choice.

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Water Heater Problems Caused by Hard Water

Friday, January 31st, 2014

Hard water. You’ve probably heard the term before, but may not have known its exact definition. Basically, hard water is water with a high mineral content. The most common minerals found in hard water are calcite, gypsum (which both contain calcium), and dolomite (a magnesium mineral). Hard water does not pose any serious health risks to drink; but it does pose serious health risks to your plumbing and any appliance hooked to it, like your water heater.

Your water heater in Plainfield, IL, can suffer damage from hard water that can require repairs or perhaps even a replacement. We’ll look at some of the problems hard water can cause. When you encounter malfunctions with your water heater—no matter the cause—call DuAll Heating & Cooling right away. We have emergency services available for when those hot water failures come at the worst time.

Hard Water and Your Water Heater

When hard water is raised to a high temperature, as occurs inside the tank of a water heater, it releases its minerals, which then develop along surfaces as limescale. Hard water entering a water heater’s tank will soon start to lay down a layer of limescale along the tank’s interior. Limescale works as an insulator, and this means it will unbalance the heat levels inside the tank, restricting heat from escaping and leading to overheating. An overheated tank will begin to spring leaks and may even rupture.

Another place where hard water can cause trouble for a water heater is when it causes a build-up of calcites on the surface of the heat exchanger of a gas-powered unit. These calcites will block the movement of heat from the combustion gas to the water in the tank, which will severely limit the ability to warm up the water, leading to a loss of hot water around the house.

Finally, the calcite deposits will start to develop inside the pipes leading from the hot water heater (indeed, it will affect pipes of all kinds around the house). The more the calcite deposits grow, the higher the pressure inside the pipes as the available room shrinks. This will lead to leaking at pipe connections that will continue to grow worse unless the issue is addressed.

Make Sure Your Water Heater is Regularly Maintained

There are a number of ways to deal with hard water, but here we are specifically concerned with the damage done to your water heater. Regular water heater maintenance is the best way to discover if calcite deposits or limescale are causing damage to your heater, and technicians can eliminate the problem by removing the build-up, or if necessary, replacing the heat exchanger. Technicians will also take care of leaks before they cause damage.

At DuAll Heating & Cooling, we’ll make it our priority to provide you with the best water heater service in the Plainfield area.

Tags: Plainfield, Water Heater, Water Heater Repair
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3 Reasons You May Not Have Enough Hot Water

Wednesday, October 9th, 2013

If you have a water heater in Bolingbrook – or anywhere in the greater Chicagoland area, for that matter – you probably don’t think much about it. As long as it works, it’s out of sight and out of mind. But what happens when it doesn’t work – when your hot water runs out too quickly or never arrives in the first place? A qualified technician can likely correct the issue, but it helps to first have some idea of the causes. Here are 3 reasons you may not have enough hot water: not the only reasons, but certainly among the most prevalent.

Thermostat. The thermostat controls the temperature setting and ensures that the water is hot and ready to go when you need it. If the thermostat is misreading the temperature, you won’t get water of the proper temperature. It’s usually attached to the gas valve, which controls the flow of gas into the water heater (thus controlling the temperature) if there are problems with the valve, the thermostat won’t work either.
Dip Tube. The dip tube runs from the top of your water heater to the bottom, and moves cold water from the plumbing system to the bottom of your tank. This keeps the water at the top of the tank hot and allows it to be sent into your home when you need it. If the dip tube develops a fissure or a leak, cold water will leak out into the top of the tank, turning the hot water into lukewarm or cold water.
Burner. The main burner receives gas which is lit by the pilot light and heats the water. If the burner isn’t working, then the amount of gas feeding the fire will be lowered and may be cut off entirely. That results in reduced hot water, which you can feel whenever you turn on the tap.

There are many reasons you may not have enough hot water, beyond these three. For issues with your water heater in Bolingbrook, call upon the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling for help. Our trained professionals are dedicated to your complete satisfaction, so don’t hesitate to contact us!

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Types of Available Water Heaters

Friday, October 4th, 2013

There are few greater annoyances on an early morning than discovering that you don’t have any hot water available in your house. A broken water heater isn’t something you want to occur in any month, but it’s especially uncomfortable during a sharp Illinois winter.

However, if you’re looking to get a new water heater to replace an old one that’s aged beyond repair, you don’t have the simple choice that you once did. New water heaters are now on the market that may offer you better options than your older system. Don’t go without hot water again. For Naperville, IL, water heater installation and advice, contact DuAll Heating & Cooling.

Although there is a large variety of water heater models and types that rely on differing energy sources, there a two broad categories that you will have to decide between: tank or tankless.

Tank water heaters: This is the most familiar kind of water heater, with a large tank where water is kept and heated continually until it is needed in the home. Their big advantage is their relatively inexpensive initial cost and installation. If you don’t frequently have problems with hot water running out in your home, then the standard storage heater is a viable option. But these systems have high energy use because they constantly maintain the water temperature, whether you’re using the hot water or not. And in a household with a large number of people, the hot water supply can get depleted quickly.

Tankless water heaters: These heaters are becoming increasingly popular as replacements for standard tank systems. They are sometimes called “demand” heaters, since they only supply heated water when it is needed. Water from the household supply runs through a heat exchanger that raises the temperature of the water whenever someone in the house turns on a hot water faucet, starts the washing machine, or anything else that requires hot water. The big advantage is the household will not run out of hot water since it isn’t coming from an established supply. Because they don’t constantly expend energy to heat a large water tank, tankless systems also offer energy savings. However, they cost more to install, take longer to heat up water, and depending on how many water outlets are operating at one time, they may not be as efficient for your needs.

It can be tricky to determine which kind of water heater is best for your home: it depends on the amount of hot water you use, the available energy supply, the number of people in your household, and your long-term energy saving plans. You can read more about tank vs. tankless water heaters, or you can consult with the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling when getting a water heater in Naperville, IL becomes a serious possibility. We can help you decide if tank or tankless is the way to go, and then help you install the system you choose.

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Water Heater FAQ: What is the Right Water Heater for My Home?

Monday, January 7th, 2013

Your water heater is one of the most depended on appliances in your home and is in great demand throughout the day. We are so accustomed to having hot water come out of our pipes anytime we want it that we may forget that there is actually a machine in our basements or closets allowing that to happen. If you are in the market for a new hot water heater you have more choices than ever before. In order to ensure that you get the right water heater for your home, contact a Bolingbrook water heater professional.

At DuAll Heating & Cooling we are always happy to help our customers find the best hot water heater for their personal needs and hot water usage habits. The more information you have when you go to get your new water heater the more likely it is that you will get just the right one. Here are some things to consider.

The size of the water heater you need is a major deciding factor in finding the right one for your home. A professional service technician can help you find a properly sized water heater for your home. Do not let an over or undersized water heater reduce efficiency.

You will also have to decide between a tank or tankless water heater. Storage tank water heaters keep a reservoir of water hot at all times. Because they must continually heat this water, though, they are subject to standby energy losses. This problem is eliminated with tankless water heaters. When you open a hot water faucet cold water passes through the water heater and is heated on demand. This means that only the water being used is heated. If you have high water demands in your home, though, this type of water heater may be overwhelmed.

To be sure that you are purchasing the right water heater for your home in Bolingbrook, call DuAll Heating & Cooling. We will make sure that your new water heater is well suited to your needs and water heating habits. Work with a professional to be sure that you are getting the water heater you need and deserve.

Tags: Bolingbrook, Water Heater
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