ATLANTA PLUMBING LEAK REPAIR | WATER HEATERS

A home's water heater generally lasts about 8-12 years, depending on usage, the number of people living in the home, incoming water quality, etc. Natural gas water heaters are the most commonly found, and are installed in literally millions of homes. They use natural gas to ignite a burner beneath the tank, heating the water inside. This process allows the water to be heated fairly quickly, and with good recovery. Recovery is the term given to how quickly a water heater to heat up a full tank of cold water after all the hot is depleted. Gas water heaters use combustion, so proper venting is required. Due to these characteristics, it is recommended that only a skilled professional perform this work.

Electric water heaters use 220-240 volt current to heat elements inside the heater, thus heating the surrounding water. These elements are controlled by thermostats located on the side of the heater. Temperatures are adjustable, but only by a professional. Electric heaters do not require ventilation of draft air, and as such can be installed in a wider variety of places than gas units. All sizes, from 10 gallon to 100+ gallons are available for both gas and electric units.

Tankless water heaters are relatively new to the plumbing scene in the U.S. They have been popular in Europe and Japan for years due to space limitations, but have only recently gained notoriety here. They use (on most units) a combination of gas and electricity to heat incoming water, and continue to do so until you, the homeowner, turn off whichever fixture you are using. In this sense, they provide an endless supply of hot water. They are also significantly smaller than conventional units, taking up far less space, and can be wall-mounted. They are much more pricey than standard units however, averaging three to five times as much.

Whichever unit you choose, we are the choice for fast, quality, professional service. We install and maintain every water heater available.