Atlanta Water Heater Repair & Service

All homes have a water heating system. It can be gas, electric, or tankless. Most standard water heaters have a life span of somewhere between 12-15 year. It is time for replacement when one of several things happen: a lack of hot water, a leak, or possibly rust-colored water. And when it is time for replacement, we are the first call you should make.

Gas water heaters operate with natural gas. They use a burner to heat up the volume of water to an preferred temperature. Gas water heaters have a fast recovery rate, meaning that once all the hot water from the tank is depleted, they can quickly heat up a full tank again, allowing for more water to be used at once. Gas water heaters produce fire, so they have a vent at the top to redirect all spent gases away from the unit itself.

Electric water heaters use two thermostats located on the side of the tank to heat up two elements within the tank. These elements get red hot, heating all the water inside. The thermostats are adjustable. Electric water heaters do not require a vent, so they can be installed basically anywhere. They have a much slower recovery rate than gas water heaters, so they are not without flaws. Either system will function in any home built for them, and both have about the same life expectancy. All sizes are available, from small, 10-gallon units to large 100-gallon units.

Tankless water heaters are a relatively new concept to the U.S., having been popular in Japan and Europe for years. Tankless water heaters take up a very small area, about the size of a small suitcase, and are mountable to walls or cabinets. They use a combination of gas and electricity to operate, and are far more efficient than standard water heaters. They operate cleanly and quietly, and require little maintenance. They can be installed inside or outside and have different venting rules than tank-type heaters. They also are available with an wall-mounted keypad to adjust temperature. All this technology and convenience comes with a price, however, averaging between roughly three to five times as much as a standard water heater installation. The wait for hot water is also a bit longer due to the design of the unit. They do have a 25-year average lifespan however, with a standard 10-year warranty.