Keeping Your Shower Hot
Hot water is an essential ingredient for bathing, cleaning dishes, and washing clothes. If your hot water supply leaves much to be desired, it may be time to invest in a new water heater. New water heaters are developed every year, and each model is more efficient than the last. Before you start shopping for a new water heater for your Baltimore home, however, you should familiarize yourself with the various available models. The plumbers at Linthicum Plumbing & Drain Cleaning will help you determine which model best suits your home and provide prompt installation services.
Traditional Water Heater
Most Americans have relied on traditional tank water heaters for years. There's a good chance that you have a tank water heater in your home.
- How It Works: Cold water enters a tank water heater through the water line, and is promptly heated by a burner. The water remains in the tank until you turn on a faucet, at which point more water flows into the heater, starting the process over again.
- Pros: A traditional water heater is an affordable choice. You can purchase a gas or electric-powered traditional water heater for only a few hundred dollars.
- Cons: Traditional water heaters are constantly using energy in order to keep water at the same temperature. Also, tank models generally last only about ten years, and leaks can cause severe water damage in a short amount of time.
Tankless Water Heater
As the name suggests, tankless water heaters do not rely on large tanks to store water. Tankless water heaters can be powered by gas, electricity, propane, and other energy sources.
- How It Works: Unlike traditional models, tankless models heat water on demand. As soon as you turn on a faucet or start your dishwasher, water from the water line enters the tankless water heater, becomes heated by a heating element, and travels straight to the intended destination.
- Pros: Tankless water heaters only heat water when hot water is needed, and are thus much more efficient than traditional models. Tankless models also take much less space and their components can be more easily replaced.
- Cons: Tankless water heaters generally have a high initial cost. Also, some models may have difficulty providing enough hot water for larger households.
When your water heater finally gives up on you, do not despair. Instead, speak with our team regarding timely service. We can evaluate the state of your heater and determine whether a simple adjustment can do the trick or if you might need to replace your old unit. At Linthicum Plumbing, we know a faulty water heater can slow down daily processes at your home, so we work quickly to restore or install your heater so you can be back in working order. By always working to code and providing you with competitive pricing, we remove the headache of repairs.