Austin Water Heaters

Tank Water Heater Installation for Your Home in Austin, TX & Surrounding Areas

You never truly appreciate hot water until you’ve had to shower without it. When your water heater stops working, and you need to repair it or replace it, waiting is simply not an option. But most of us really don’t know much about water heaters, how they work, or what our options are for replacing the. At Daniel’s Plumbing & Air Conditioning, we strive to not only provide the best installation service for your tanked or tankless water heater but also to ensure that you make an informed decision that’s right for you.

The Difference Between a Tank & Tankless Water Heater

When deciding between installing a conventional water heater or a tankless water heater, there are a few major factors to consider:

• Budget: Tanked water heaters initially cost about three times less than a tankless water heater, but in the long run, it may cost you more to maintain. We offer seasonal specials and financing options to help offset the cost of a new water heater.
• Maintenance: Traditional water heaters have an average life span of eight to 12 years depending on the type of water the facility uses and whether it is properly maintained. Tankless water heaters require far less maintenance.
• Energy efficiency: Tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than tanked or storage water heaters, which can save you money in the long run.
• Size: Strong water heaters do not require as large of an energy supply as tankless water heaters.
• Consistency: Tankless water heaters provide consistent hot water, whereas tanked water heaters do run out.

There are definitely pros and cons to whichever option you choose. It depends on your family and household’s personal needs and is not a decision to be made lightly.

The Water Heater Installation Process

Once you’ve weighed your options, if you land on a tanked water heater being the right option for you, now comes the installation process. Installing a replacement traditional gas water heater can be time-consuming, strenuous, and difficult. Proper installation depends on many factors, such as fuel type, climate, and local building code requirements. 

The installation process typically consists of three steps:

• Preparation: This step consists of draining the water in the prior water heater tank, detaching the gas lines, detaching the water lines, and detaching the exhaust from the flue hat.
• Placement: The new water heater is placed in the proper location, the heat trap fittings and water lines are put into place, and the gas supply lines get connected.
• Testing: The final steps are to test the gas line for leaks, light the pilot, and set the control knob to “on.”

Water Heater Maintenance

Now that your brand new traditional tanked water heater is installed, the next step is learning how to properly care for it to prolong its life. Corrosion is the most common cause of tanked water heaters to eventually stop working. Studies have shown that about 86% of U.S. homes have hard water. Hard water is water with high mineral content due to water bleeding through limestone and chalk. How do you guard against this? 

Suggested maintenance practices for your tanked water heater include:

• Having your traditional water heater flushed once a year: This helps prevent build-up and damage from the sediment that accumulates on the bottom of the tank. The benefits of flushing your water heater are an extended heater life, along with savings in energy use.
• Checking the temperature and pressure valve: We recommend checking these every six months or so. It can tell you a lot about the health of your water heater. It’s always best to catch potential problems early to avoid needing to completely replace your water heater.
• Inspecting the anode rod: We recommend you call us to check the anode rode every three to four years. The anode rod is a steel core wire surrounded by one of three different metals: Aluminum, magnesium, and zinc. The rod is screwed into the top of your water heater and protects your water heater from rusting. If you can catch a malfunctioning anode rod early, you might be able to extend the life of your water heater.