When was the last time you did any maintenance on your hot water tank? For most of us the answer is never. It is one of the most important pieces of equipment in our home and yet we pay little or no attention to it, until it no longer delivers hot water to our taps and showers!
Quick Facts:
- The average lifespan of any hot water heater is between 8 and 12 years.
- There is no real way to predict when your hot water tank might leak or stop working all together…this is the scary part!
- Water in or around the hot water tank is definitely a warning sign that something is wrong with your system. Don’t ignore it and call a professional to investigate.
- It is often more cost effective to replace the tank entirely than to perform repairs on it.
- Regular maintenance on both a tank and tankless system IS important: this includes flushing the system a minimum of once per year to remove the sediment that builds up, reducing efficiency. You can call in a professional to perform this job.
- Since we have hard water in Calgary - our hot water tanks get a bigger workout! Softened water will extend the life of your hot water system - as it reduces the amount of sediment present within the tank or system.
Replacing Your Hot Water Tank
Your existing tank has a nameplate on the side that states capacity, insulation or R value, working pressure, model and serial number. Check this out as it can serve as a starting point for your new purchase.
The approximate cost for a 40-50 Gallon hot water tank including installations can vary. Cost of installation depends on venting currently in place and any retrofitting that is required as a result of changes in equipment.
Calgary plumbers can deliver and install a new hot water tank or perform maintenance on your existing system. Some plumbing companies are better equipped to respond quickly. Do your research!
