Water Heater Repair & Installation in San Antonio, TX

If you keep in mind that there is some degree of variation, due to all the different types of systems currently on the market, you can generally expect that water heaters will last somewhere in between 8 and 12 years. Some of the variables which can factor into needing to replace your water heater sooner or later include the quality of the initial installation, the unit’s location and design, how often it is maintained and the water quality in your city.

Regular maintenance will help prolong the service life of your system, and minor repairs, when done correctly, can address many of the more common problems homeowners tend to have with their water heater.

When making the decision to invest in a new water heater, one of the primary concerns is making sure you select a unit which delivers enough hot water for all your household needs while being as energy efficient as possible. There are three primary types of water heaters: traditional tank heaters, tankless units and heat pump water heaters. The traditional variety stores water in a tank until it’s needed, at which point the water is then heated. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, while heat pump systems draw energy from the air to adjust your water temperature to your liking.

Although energy efficiency and size might be the biggest factors when purchasing a water heater, other considerations include cost, fuel type, space considerations and of course availability. Other features may include:

• different gallons per hour (GPH) heating rates
• digital displays
• thermostats
• automatic emergency shut-off
• Energy Star certifications
• direct vents
• apps for mobile devices
• power vents insulation

One other number you may want to pay attention to is the water heater’s first-hour rating (FHR), which indicates the volume your unit can heat within that time period, if you have a full tank.

If you do opt for a more traditional water heating system, you’ll need to choose a model with the right capacity to meet your needs. One, two or three-person households generally do fine with a smaller tank with a capacity of 30 to 40 gallons. A medium tank that holds between 60 and 80 gallons is best for a family of three to five. We generally recommend budgeting between 10 and 15 gallons per person to meet the requirements of your family. You may want to consult the Department of Energy’s Sizing a New Water Heater calculator to get the most accurate sense of what size tank you’ll need.

Although we service and install more traditional water heaters in San Antonio homes, our specialists may recommend a tankless system, since they are much more energy efficient than traditional counterparts, which adds up to significant savings over the long term. These units can also have a smaller footprint, since they do not store water, but produce heated water as needed. ABC is happy to help you determine whether to choose a traditional or tankless water heater for your home, and to help you evaluate your choices based on any manufacturer warranties, as well. Once you’ve made your decision, we can return to install your desired unit and perform any repairs or maintenance down the road.

The most common type of water heater in San Antonio homes is the conventional tank water heater. Powered by either electric, natural gas or propane, these appliances can hold between 20 and 80 gallons of water.

If cost is the most important factor in your decision, you should know that tankless water heaters are still a bit more expensive than traditional models. Electric conventional models tend to have a higher price tag than those powered by gas. In general, tank water heaters require less maintenance than other varieties.

If you have a tight space or no floor space, you may want to choose a tankless water heater, since you can mount these units directly on a wall. Tankless water heaters only use about 30% to 50% of the energy when compared to conventional units. Tankless water heaters can also be powered by electricity, natural gas or liquid propane.

If neither of these options sounds like a good fit for you, you may want to learn more about heat pump water heaters. Up to three times more efficient than conventional systems, heat pump water heaters work well in hot climates like ours since they use outside air to bring your water to your desired temperature.

In addition to any warranties offered by the manufacturer, ABC extends a one-year, money-back guarantee on installation services to our customers. What this means is that we will return to your home to address any issues you might encounter during the first twelve months after your water heater is installed. In addition, we can handle any problems related to the installation itself if you are unhappy with the work performed by our technicians.