SPS Mechanical Inc. Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Water Heater’

Why You Should Check Your Water Heater Anode Rod Every Year

Monday, June 1st, 2015

If you use a storage water heater, as most people do, then your water heater is in constant contact with water from the day it is installed to the day it is replaced. All of that water exposure raises the likelihood of oxidization over time to 100%. So why is your water heater tank not rusted out, then? The answer lies with a deceptively simple part called the “anode rod.” Read on to find out more about the anode rod, and why you should keep a close eye on it.

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Do You Need to Replace Your Water Heater for Oil to Gas Conversions?

Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014

If any of the major appliances in your home run on oil or propane, you know just how much of a chore it can be to maintain them. You frequently have to get your oil tank refilled, which is a hassle in itself. Furthermore, you get stuck with the bill, which turns this inconvenience into a real nuisance. Thankfully, natural gas is one of the cheapest utilities available, and can be used for many household appliances like boilers, furnaces, and water heaters. If you want to make the switch for your home, a trained contractor is usually available in your area who is certified to perform such work.

But if you’ve been considering switching your appliances from oil to natural gas, you may have a few questions for your technician. The first question many homeowners ask is whether they’ll need to replace their older unit. Is it possible to convert an existing oil unit to natural gas? Or will I need to install an entirely new system? This will depend on many factors of your particular unit, but some of the details are described below.

Many contractors can actually convert some oil units into natural gas burning units. To do so, they must use oil-to-gas conversion kits compatible with your particular burner. A conversion burner can be installed in many residential heating appliances so that a technician can professionally hook up your home to a gas line.

Unfortunately, oil-to-gas conversion isn’t always possible. Some oil appliances simply were not built to use anything but oil to run and are not compatible with an oil-to-gas conversion kit. Oftentimes, homeowners find out that the only way to get natural gas to their appliances is by replacing the entire unit. However, there are many benefits to installing a new unit anyway.

Your new water heater or other gas appliances may be very efficient, saving you even more every month over an older oil appliance. Besides, a newer unit does not have any worn down parts, so you won’t have to worry about frequent repairs or breakdowns for a long time to come. Call the experts at SPS Mechanical Inc. to convert or replace your water heater and other appliances in Sicklerville and the surrounding area and to learn how you can convert any other oil appliance as well.

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Tank or Tankless: Which Type of Water Heater Is Better?

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

If you need to replace your older water heater, you may have considered upgrading your older unit to a more effective and efficient system. And if you currently own a storage tank water heater, you may have heard that tankless water heaters could offer greater performance and efficiency. But is this really true?

For the most part, choosing the right water heater depends on your budgetary needs and how much hot water you use. For some homeowners, a tankless water heater may be the most efficient way to heat the water in their home. For others, however, a traditional storage tank water heater is still a great choice.

To talk to an expert about a new water heater installation in Glassboro, be sure to call an expert at SPS Mechanical Inc. But if you want to know more about the benefits of each of these systems, we’ve provided this quick guide.

Storage Tank Water Heaters

Even with all of the talk about tankless water heaters, conventional storage tank water heaters remain the most common type of unit found in homes. These units heat water through a natural heat rising process. Water enters the top of the tank through a dip tube that leads to the bottom. At the bottom of the tank, there is a gas or electric heating element that heats water, which then rises to the top where it leaves through another pipe. Most homeowners choose storage tank water heaters because of the relatively low cost of installation.

Tankless Water Heater

However, many storage tank water heater users complain that it cannot heat water fast enough to meet high demands in some homes. Plus, there is a lot of standby energy loss because water is heated throughout the day. Tankless water heaters do not need a tank because water is heated instantly when a hot water tap is turned on, which means they use a lot less energy. However, tankless units cannot operate as effectively if multiple hot water taps are used at once. If this is the case in your house, you may need to install multiple units.

A tankless water heater may be a better option for some homeowners. However, if you haven’t had problems with energy efficiency with your current tank, you may choose to replace it with a similar system. For installation or more information about any type of water heater in Glassboro, contact an expert at SPS Mechanical Inc. today!

 

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Reasons Your Water Heater Isn’t Giving You Hot Water

Monday, March 3rd, 2014

It is difficult to imagine a time in the U.S. before running hot water. We only think about it when we see movies or television shows where people need to heat up large tubs of water with coal stoves or wood fires in order to take a bath. Hot water coming through our taps with only a turn of a handle is a luxury that we’d have a hard time living without.

But this daily necessity could disappear if your hot water heater malfunctions. One morning, you turn on the shower and find that no matter how long you wait, the water never warms up. When this happens, you’ll need trained water heater specialists to find out the trouble and fix it. With SPS Mechanical Inc., you can call for help with your water heater in Cherry Hill, NJ any time of the day or night thanks to our 24-hour emergency service.

Possible causes for loss of hot water from your water heater

  • Failed heating elements: If you have an electric water heater, failure of the heating elements inside the tank will lead to a loss of warm water. If you notice a drop in heating, don’t ignore it: it probably means one of the elements has burned out, and if the second also fails, you’ll only have cold water left. The heating elements can also lose their power because of a tripped circuit breaker or a blown fuse, so check the fuse box.
  • Burner or pilot failure: For a gas-powered heater, a burner unit below the tank contains the gas jets that ignite to transfer heat to the water in the tank. If the burner becomes dirty or corroded, it will struggle to draw oxygen to ignite, and eventually the jets won’t come on at all and the water in the tank won’t heat up. Failure of the standing pilot light or the electric ignition system will also mean the burner cannot ignite.
  • Faulty gas control valve: If the gas control valve malfunctions, it will cut off the gas supply to the burner, and no heat will be created.

Watch out for lowered heat as well

Your water heater can continue to provide you with warm water even when it’s malfunctioning, but the water will not be as hot. Pay attention to lukewarm water and don’t let it go, hoping that it will get better. It probably won’t and you may end up losing the water heater altogether.

Professionals experienced in heating and plumbing will need to assist you when you have trouble with your water heater in Cherry Hill, NJ. When you call on SPS Mechanical Inc., our technicians will arrive with a van filled with replacement parts so they can provide the fastest possible repairs to restore your hot water.

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