The P. Gagnon & Son Blog

5 Reasons To Replace Your Water Heater

Get Expert Installation And Service From P. Gagnon & Son!

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The average American household uses between 60 and 65 gallons of hot water a day for bathing and showering, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning, and other tasks. Day after day, your water heater provides that hot water.

That nonstop workload means that the life expectancy for a conventional water heater with a tank is between eight and 10 years. P. Gagnon & Son sells, installs, and services traditional tank water heaters, indirect water heaters, and high-efficiency tankless water heaters.

Tankless water heaters offer several advantages. You get all the hot water you need when you need it. No waiting between showers, no worries about showering while the dishwasher is running. They last twice as long (or longer!) than a tank water heater. This all comes with lowering your water heating energy costs by up to 40%!

Signs Of Water Heater Failure

Don’t wait for your water heater to fail. If you see any of these signs, make plans to upgrade to a new water heater.

Reduced Efficiency And Performance

Do you know how old your water heater is? If you don’t, here’s how to find out. Look for the serial number on the manufacturer’s sticker. The first letter in the serial number corresponds to its month of production; the first two numbers its year of production. Example: If the serial number on a water heater is H102738598, the “H” is the eighth letter in the alphabet and corresponds to August, the eighth month. The “10” stands for the year. Thus, the water heater was manufactured in August of 2010.

Once your water heater reaches its 10th birthday, it likely won’t work as well as it did just a few years ago. You’ll see this with higher energy bills, or water not getting as hot.

Replacing an old water heater makes more financial sense than repairing it. That’s because today’s high-efficiency water heaters will save you money in the long run.

Leaks

If you are seeing water around the base of your water tank, the likely culprit is a leak in the tank. Turn off the tank’s water supply and contact P. Gagnon & Son right away for an inspection of your water heater.

Rust

Is the heated water in your tank rusty? That’s a big danger sign because it means that your water heater is corroding. Corrosion is a problem that could lead to a tank failure, and all the hassle and expense that goes with it, in the near future. Contact us immediately.

Strange noises

If you hear rumbling noises in your water heater tank, that’s a common sign of sediment buildup in your tank. That sediment can reduce your water heater’s efficiency, and, if left unattended, will lead to corrosion that can reduce the lifespan of your water heater. Contact us for a service call.

Hard water

What is hard water? It’s water that contains calcium, magnesium, and other minerals. Many homes here in the Seacoast region have hard water, especially properties with a private well instead of public water.

Hard water can leave ugly spots on your flatware and glasses, dull your laundry, and cause dry, itchy skin. It can also cause lime buildup in your water heater, reducing its efficiency and shortening its lifespan.

Enjoy energy efficiency and comfort with a new water heater! Contact us today to get started.