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Hot Water Heaters
Water Heater Installation, Repair and replacement Near You in VA BEach, Norfolk, Newport News and Williamsburg
A-1 American Services provides quality water heater installation, repair and replacement services to residents of Southeastern Virginia. We rely on water heaters for our day-to-day functions from washing the dishes to taking hot showers. A-1 American Services technicians are expert hot water heater contractors that can repair or replace your home’s water heater day or night, whenever you need us the most. It makes sense to routinely give your water heater a “tune-up,” given the price tag on a brand new water heating unit.
Water Heater Flags
If you notice any of the following, call A-1 American Services to have your water heater repaired or serviced:
Water Heater Information
Storage Water Heater
Most homeowners are very familiar with the conventional storage water heater. It’s likely located in your garage, water closet, laundry room or another inconspicuous area of your home. These behemoths are large cylindrical tanks that heat and store hot water to be used on a moment’s notice. Usually these heaters hold 30 to 80 gallons of water and utilize whichever fuel provides power to your home – whether it’s natural gas, oil, liquid propane or electricity. Most homeowners love this variety of heater because it offers ready-to-use hot water in large quantities anytime and it tends to run at a relatively inexpensive price compared to other types. Storage water heaters have a lifespan of about 12 years on average.
On the other hand, storage water heaters can be quite wasteful. In order to provide hot water at all hours, it needs to run almost constantly. Inside the tank is a thermometer which measures the temperature of the stored water throughout the day and night. When the temperature drops below a particular threshold, the unit begins heating the water once again to ensure it remains hot whenever you need it. However, constant heating and reheating can cost you a lot of money on your energy bill, especially when you’re on vacation or sleeping and have no need for hot water. Additionally, storage tanks should be drained twice a year at minimum to remove sediment from the bottom of the tank, which may be inconvenient.
Tankless Water Heater
Tankless or on-demand water heaters make up for the drawbacks of conventional storage water heaters. These small, mounted boxes do not hold water to be used at any time. Instead, they only heat water when there is a need for it. If you turn on the shower, for example, it will heat water as you use it. This also means you’ll never run out of hot water. Because tankless heaters aren’t constantly running to maintain water temperature, they cost far less to operate. Not only that, but tankless heaters last nearly twice as long as conventional storage heaters, with a lifespan of more than 20 years!
Unfortunately, there is no perfect water heater, and even the tankless heater has its flaws. Due to its small size and inability to hold large amounts of hot water, a tankless heater cannot move water quickly and must take time to heat the water to your specifications, meaning you’ll have to sacrifice those instantly hot, high pressure showers when you choose to install one in your home. The tankless water heater also cannot fulfill multiple household water needs at once. To correct this, many homeowners install multiple tankless water heaters to devote to particular appliances.
The energy savings aren’t always enough to sway all homeowners, especially if they’re on a budget. In addition to potentially needing to purchase and install more than one tankless water heater to meet the home’s hot water needs, tankless water heaters also cost almost twice the amount of conventional water heaters.
That being said, over the extended lifetime of the unit one could argue you save more on energy than you spend on the unit itself.
Gas Water Heater
A-1 American Services
repairs and installs all makes and models of water heaters, including Gas Water Heaters.
Of course, with a gas water heater, you'll need a source of natural gas or propane. No problem! If your house runs strictly on electric, then a gas line run and installed in your home will make your home ready for a gas water heater. Why would you want to install one in your home? There are many benefits to a gas water heater such as energy and money savings, but a few cons as well. Read on to discover which one is best suited for your home.
Pros:
- Gas water heaters are more energy efficient than electric water heaters and can be Energy Star certified.
- Over time the cost of energy used will only be about half of what it would cost to run an electric water heater.
- They tend to have better insulation than electric water heaters which means the water doesn’t cool as quickly and this saves energy. This is one reason they are Energy Star certified.
- They generally heat water faster than electric water heaters.
- A gas storage water heater will cost less than a tankless water heater.
Cons:
- Gas water heater installation tends to be more expensive than for an electric water heater although less than a tankless water heater.
- They require more space than electric water heaters because they require ventilation. Proper ventilation is very important.
Electric Heat Pump Water Heater
These unique water heaters use electricity to operate and draw heat from the ambient air to warm the water in their storage tanks. As you might imagine, this variety may not work so well during northern winters. However, when used in hot climates such as deserts or tropical areas, an electric heat pump water heater can prove dramatically more energy-efficient than a conventional water heater. Although these units cost more than conventional storage heaters, you could see a return on your investment on your monthly energy bills.
Solar Water Heater
Solar water heaters
take the best of conventional storage water heaters and electric heat pump water heaters and improve upon both. As the name suggests, this variety of water heater utilizes the free, limitless power of the sun to heat your home’s water, which is held in a storage tank. There are two types of solar water heaters. Active models use a pump to push water throughout your home, while passive models are usually installed on the roof and use gravity to distribute hot water to your appliances.
Worried about those cold, cloudy days? Sunlight can still reach your solar panels regardless of weather, but your energy savings may suffer a bit if your hot water usage outpaces the available power at the time. Solar models usually employ a backup, electrically-powered heater to provide hot water in these situations. In the end, upfront water heater installation costs can be steep, but energy savings are nothing short of extraordinary and can surpass your original investment in only a few years. With an estimated lifespan of 15 to 20 years, you save money in the long run.
Water Heater Installation, Repair and Maintenance in the Hampton Roads Area
Between sand, sweat and camping dirt, you’re likely going to be running more loads of laundry and taking more showers in the coming months. Is your water heater up to the task this summer? If you think your heater may need a replacement, the professionals at A-1 American Plumbing have you covered. We’ll work with you to help you decide which water heater is best for your needs and install your chosen model quickly, efficiently and accurately. Don’t need a replacement, but want a repair or maintenance check before summer arrives? Our friendly, fast technicians are happy to make a same-day appointment to inspect your unit and repair any problems.
Contact us online or call (757) 425-2400 for service throughout Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and the greater Hampton Roads area.
Three Locations to Serve You!
Norfolk, Virginia Beach
In VA Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth and Norfolk, VA:
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