Water Heater Installation in Birmingham

Energy-Efficient Water Heater Replacement

When your water heater just won’t keep your water warm anymore, a repair might not do the trick. Although system replacement can be a costly option upfront, replacing your water heater with a more energy-efficient model can save you money in the long run.

Wilbur's Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing has been installing traditional and tankless water heaters in Birmingham since 1979. Call us today at (205) 509-2139.

When to Replace Your Water Heater

Water heaters are used every day. You never want to be in a situation where you water heater stops working the day after your warranty has expired. Replacing your water heater unit can save you from an expensive breakdown in the future.

Here are three signs you need to replace your water:

• Old Units - If your water heater is over 10 years old, it might be time to take a look at replacing this older unit. To check for this, their should be a manufacturer's sticker near the top of the unit. The first two numbers are usually representative of the year the unit was made. If you can't find that out, the manufacturer's website usually will have more information on your unit.
• Rusty Water - Often times an older water heater will start to rust from the inside. This in turn can cause leaking and expensive repairs. One way you can check to see if your hot water is rusty is to fill 3 to 4 gallon buckets or containers. If you are noticing that the rusty water only comes out from the hot water side, you may need a new water heater.
• Strange Noises - Older water heater units will build up sediment at the bottom of the tank. While the water heater heats and reheats this sediment, it will eventually harden. This wastes a lot of energy and it takes up the capacity of the water heater. Those strange noises are often a product of this hardened sediment. The longer this is left untouched, the more likely your water heater can crack and leak.

Water Heater Fuel Types

Both traditional and tankless water heaters are available with different fuel options. The choice that is right for you depends on factors like cost and what is accessible to you.

Water heater energy source options include:

• Fuel oil – Available for traditional water heaters
• Geothermal energy – Available for geothermal heat pump systems
• Electricity – Available for traditional or tankless water heaters and heat pump water heaters
• Natural gas – Available for traditional or tankless water heaters
• Solar energy – Available for solar water heaters
• Propane – Available for traditional or tankless water heaters

Standard Water Heater Installation

The most common storage tank water heater is 50 gallons, though they range between 30-72 gallons. The size you need depends on the number of people in your home and how often you use hot water. Storage tank water heaters come in natural gas, electricity, oil, and propane varieties, so they are a good option for any home. The main concern with traditional water heaters is the space the tank takes up. In smaller homes where every square foot is meticulously used, large tanks may not be the best option, and homeowners may prefer a space-efficient tankless water heater.

Tankless Water Heater Installation

As the name implies, tankless water heaters do not use a tank to store hot water. Instead, the water is heated as it passes through the unit, which is about the size of a small briefcase. This on-demand option is popular because it doesn’t take up a lot of space and can be mounted on a wall and squeezed into tight spaces. Because this is a newer technology, tankless water heaters can be more expensive than their traditional counterparts, however, they are also more efficient—which means more savings for you down the line.

Both gas and electric tankless models run more efficiently than conventional water heaters of the same type, but the price of energy and installation are what cause the difference in affordability. If you are considering upgrading to a tankless system, contact the professionals at Wilbur's Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing. We will take your needs into consideration to suggest the best solution for your home.

If you need to replace your water heater, contact the Birmingham plumbers at Wilbur's Air Conditioning, Heating & Plumbing at (205) 509-2139. We will help you make the right choice.