Water Heater

Heating water has become part of our lifestyle for many years, but we don’t often see the wonders behind its complex system. In between washing your dishes, clothes, and cleaning your house, as well as showering right after, Canadians use about 75 liters of hot water at home. This makes hot water systems the largest energy consumption in residential areas. 

 

In this article, understand the ins and outs of hot water tanks and how this equipment brings convenience to every Canadian home. 

The Importation of Hot Water Tank Installation

Installing a hot water tank in your home can give you many benefits, especially during the colder months. A hot water tank provides you with a system that draws cold water from your home’s main water supply system, heats it, and distributes it to your bathtubs, sinks, and dishwashers. This is greatly used by Canadian homes and businesses alike especially in the cold winter months.. 

 

The Proper Way Which A Water Heater Should Be Installed

A water heater should be installed properly or it does more harm than good. The key to a properly installed hot water heater lies in understanding and identifying the quantity and temperature of the hot water requirement that you’ll be needing. But more than these things, you need to consider essential factors that will ultimately affect the overall quality of your hot water design system. The installation process of water heaters depends on the type of water heater that you will be having. Nonetheless to give you a background, here is the proper way which a water heater should be installed: 

  • \Determine what size of water heater tank you’ll be needing as the first step to proper installation involves placing the new water heater in place or a drain pan. To avoid flooding or leaking, the water heater must be securely placed
  • \Install the necessary valves involved which controls the temperature and pressure for the tank
  • \Install the discharge pipe needed for draining purposes in the future. Make sure that you have a valve installed toward the floor drain.
  • \Hook up the water supply through flexible hose kits. Secure using a plumbers tape.
  • \Install the necessary fittings. You can secure the fittings by using the plumbers tape in connecting body threads. Keep in mind to secure the fitting to the hose and hold it up to the pipe
  • \Secure the compression nut and begin installing the seismic straps to secure the tank against the wat
  • \Fill in the water heater with water and connect the wiring
  • \Turn the power on
  • \Set the water temperature as necessary and as desired
  • \Check the discharge pipe one more time

Main Types of Hot Water Tank

So, you’ve finally decided to install a hot water tank in your home. You’ll be confronted with different types of hot water tanks in the process, and choosing the right one is more relevant than ever.

Tankless Water Heater

Storage Water Heater

Heat Pump Water Heater

The Cost for Hot Water Tank Replacement in the Greater Vancouver Area

The cost for hot water tank replacement in the Greater Vancouver area depends on the quantity, quality, efficiency, the complexity of the replacement process, and the size of water tank appropriate for your home. On average, water tank replacement ranges from $1,199 to $2,500. Always keep in mind that the costs vary depending whether you’ll be needing a replacement, an upgrade, or a total reconfiguration of the system. In all these factors, it is important to consult an experienced and a team of reliable plumbing professionals to help you out.

FAQ

What size of hot water tank do I need?

You need to consider the necessary tank capacity based on the number of people in your household. For example, for one to two people, you need to prepare around 23 to 36 gallons of water. Work your way to more gallons once the number of people increases.

When to replace a new hot water tank?

Typically, your hot water tank should be replaced every 8 to 12 years, given that your hot water tank is of high quality and was properly installed by a professional. If, however, you are frequently experiencing issues with your hot water tank, don’t hesitate to immediately replace your hot water tank to avoid further damage and unnecessary costs along the way. 

How to drain a hot water tank?

Connect a garden hose with a fitting that connects to the drain valve of the tank that can usually be found at the bottom. Direct the flow of the hose into either a bucket or a floor drain if you have, or whichever works well for you. Draining is important to flush out the sediments which settle on the bottom of the tank, providing you with much cleaner hot water at all times. Don’t forget to turn back on the water supply valve after the draining process. 

How long should a hot water tank last?

It’s between 6 and 13 years. However, the longevity of your hot water tank is greatly dependent on a lot of factors such as proper maintenance, draining, and proper flushing out of sedimentary debris that it has accumulated through time. 

Can your hot water tank freeze in the cold winter?

Simply put, yes. While most hot water tanks have built-in freeze protection, you can still run the risk of freezing your hot water tanks especially if you do not periodically check on it. Once this happens, immediately call a plumbing expert for repairs to avoid further damage costs along the way. 

Can you convert a gas hot water tank to electric?

While it is not a common conversion, you can actually convert a gas hot water tank to electric. This, however, cannot be done and treated as a DIY project. You need the services of a professional team for such conversion needs reconfiguration to accommodate the new appliance necessary for the switching. In order to prevent yourself from sudden conversion, you must establish which type of hot water tank you’ll be needing right from the start. 

What to do if your hot water tank is leaking?

If you notice that your water tank is leaking, immediately call your local expert plumber to help you out. While you’re waiting, you can turn off the main water supply and look for a way to identify the source of the leaking. In addition, try to clean up as much water as possible on the floor to avoid further damages.