A nice hot shower after a long day, can help your stress melt away, but what happens if you turn on the hot water and it doesn’t get hot? Who do you call? The best person for the job is a professional hot water plumber.
Call a hot water plumber Melbourne residents use regularly to help you with your problem. However, there are various types of plumbers that can help you with other plumbing jobs.
In today’s article, we are going to take a look at the different types of plumbers and the best one to help you repair your water heater. Keep reading to find out more.
Electrician vs Plumber for Water Heater Problems
If your water heater stops working suddenly, it’s best to contact a plumber first. Most plumbers have enough knowledge to repair the problem and they are slightly cheaper than calling out an electrician. Plumbers are able to install electric wiring, heating elements and piping.
The plumber will let you know if the problem runs deeper which will then require the assistance of an electrician.
When to Call an Electrician
You should call an electrician for the following problems:
- If the water heater trips the circuit breaker
- The water heater looks like it’s overheating
- Any fuses are blown
- Visible loose wires
When to Call a Plumber
If you have any of the following problems, you should call a Plumber:
- The water heater is making strange noises
- The water coming from the heater looks rusty
- Your water pressure is low
- The water won’t heat up
- Pipes are leaking water
Upgrade Your Water Heater
If you still have an old water heater, it might be time for an upgrade. Selecting a water heater is an exciting process as there are so many new types on the market. But a new and improved water heater can help you conserve energy. Going green isn’t just a catchphrase! So we should all try to save as much energy as possible.
There are different types of water heaters that come in a range of sizes and designs.
Types of water heaters include:
- Conventional: Holds a storage tank of hot water
- Tankless: Heats water without the use of a storage tank
- Heat pump: Moves the heat around as necessary
- Solar: Heated by sunlight
- Tankless coil: Heated by your home heating system
Consider the Following
When deciding which water heater to purchase for your home, you should consider the following selection criteria:
- Type of Fuel: The type of fuel you select will determine how much the heater will cost to run. A solar heater may cost more to install initially, but in the long run, it will end up costing less because it uses less energy.
- Size matters: A smaller home can get by with a smaller water heater. A larger water heater would need to have one big enough so that the hot water doesn’t run out.
- Cost: Compare the price, running costs and energy efficiency to find the perfect water heater to suit your budget.
Fuel Types
Running costs play a large role when deciding which one to purchase. You should consider the availability of the fuel source and how much it will cost. Fuel types include:
- Electricity: Most homes have electricity, so this is a widely available source of fuel. Electricity can be used to power conventional, tankless or demand water heaters
- Oil: Normally used for conventional heaters with storage tanks that use an indirect system to heat the water
- Solar energy: The most energy-efficient but can take longer to heat the water
Reasons Your Water isn’t Heating Up
If your water heater isn’t heating the water, then you should troubleshoot the problem before calling the plumber. Common reasons your water is only lukewarm:
- The breaker has tripped: Heaters that run on electricity may be affected by this problem. Look at your electric panel and ensure the switch is turned on. If it keeps tripping you may need to call an electrician.
- The thermostat is incorrect: Your hot water problem could be solved easily by simply resetting the thermostat. If the water still doesn’t heat up, then your thermostat may be broken.
- There is a build-up of sediment: Water is full of minerals such as calcium and magnesium. These minerals build up and can affect the heating element. Flush your tank on a regular basis to prevent this from happening.
- The element is faulty: If only one side of the element is working, this won’t be enough to completely heat the water. The water will remain lukewarm. Make sure both elements are in working order.
- It’s old and worn out: A water heater has a life span of 8 – 12 years. As it gets older the heating element will start to fail and it won’t heat the water efficiently.
- Broken dip tube: The dip tube feeds water into the water heater to be heated. If the tube is damaged the water won’t go into the tank so it can be heated which results in cold showers and baths.
Final Thoughts
If your water heater isn’t working correctly, try the tips listed in this article to troubleshoot the problem. If it isn’t any of those problems, then you should call a plumber. Check the list to determine if you need to call a plumber or an electrician.
If you’re conscious about your carbon-footprint then installing a solar heater is the most efficient way to save energy and go green. Do you have any other tips to conserve energy? Let us know in the comment section below.
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