A lack of hot water can be a very unwelcome surprise – whether you feel like you’re freezing your hands whenever you wash them or shivering in the shower, cold water isn’t always refreshing. If you’ve noticed that you have minimal to no hot water in your home, there could be a few reasons why this is the case.

Since your water heater is the source of the warm water, troubleshooting it should be your first step. There are a few areas you may need to check to find out the reason for no hot water.

1. Power Issues

One of the first steps you should take is to ensure that your water heater is actually on. For electric water heaters, a tripped circuit breaker or blown fuse could mean that the heater is not receiving any power. Go to your electrical panel to see if you need to reset the power. Then check to see if the water heater has begun to work properly.

Gas-powered heaters, on the other hand, rely on a pilot light or ignition system to function. For older models, relighting the light may be sufficient to get it to start working again. However, for newer models that have an electronic ignition, you may need to call a plumbing service, like S&B Plumbing, to fix the problem.

2. Malfunctioning Heating Elements

If it seems that your heater is still getting power, but there still is no hot water, there may be a problem with the burner elements that are heating the water. In order to get hot water flowing again, it’s best to call a professional to see if any of the heating elements need replacement or if there is a gas issue to be addressed.

3. Thermostat Issues

No hot water coming out of your pipes could indicate that your thermostat is either malfunctioning or is not turned up enough. The average set temperature is about 120°F, so if your thermostat is below that, you may want to try bumping it up. However, if it’s set to an average temperature and you’re still not getting very hot water, you may need to get your thermostat repaired or replaced.

4. Sediment Build-Up

Over time – especially for areas that have harder water – mineral sediment can settle in the inner workings or at the bottom of your water heater. This can inhibit the heater from functioning properly and result in cooler or cold water. Getting regular maintenance to clean the sediment away can help your water heater work better to ensure you get hot water.

5. Broken Dip Tube

The dip tube is the part of your water heater that sends cold water to the bottom of the tank to heat it up. If the dip tube is not functioning properly, then this could send cold or lukewarm water out of your pipes. Plumbers can identify whether a broken dip tube is the problem and can easily replace it.

6. High Demand

If you’re getting no hot water, this isn’t necessarily an indicator that something is broken. Big families may end up using the water heater’s supply in a short period of time, not allowing the water heater to replenish fast enough. You can try spacing out hot water usage, like showers, laundry loads, or dishwashing cycles. If this still isn’t helping, consider investing in a larger water tank or tankless water heater so you can have on-demand heated water.

Call a Professional

After you have done some troubleshooting to assess the source of the issue, you may want to call professional services. If you have no hot water, plumbers like S&B Plumbing can help with diagnosing the cause and provide advice and services to get your water heater back to being functional. S&B provides top quality care to all of their clients, ensuring that they have working plumbing. Whether you need a water heater check-up, your sink unclogged, or your toilet repaired, we can help. Reach out today!

You may have heard the age-old debate about which is better: gas or electric stoves? But have you considered gas vs electric water heaters?

Water heaters are the tanks of water, often tucked away into a closet, that daily provide us with a wealth of modern day comfort. Having accessible hot water is a luxury and sometimes a necessity. Hot water helps us with cleaning, washing, cooking, and bathing so having an efficient water heater is essential to daily life.

While both gas and electric heaters source hot water, each has its pros and cons. Whether you are looking to find the “best” option, or considering options for replacement, we will go through the details of each so that you can finish this blog better informed.

Energy Source

Both kinds of water heaters get their energy from different sources. As their names suggest, one gets power from gas, the other from electricity.

Gas powered water heaters will use natural gas and propane to function properly. Some homes are set up with a gas line already, which means the installation to source the gas is pretty straightforward. However, if there isn’t a gas line already in place, it can be quite expensive to install one.

For electric water heaters, they source their energy from electricity, which will be in essentially any home. Regardless of whether or not you have a gas line in your home, electric water heaters can be installed pretty much anywhere.

Initial Cost & Installation

If cost and budget are factors in deciding between gas vs electric, then it’s good to understand the difference between each before installation.

Gas water heaters may be a bit more pricey up front if your home does not have gas lines. But if your home already comes equipped, then you may find that gas is fairly cost-effective. For electric, the installation process can be very easy and tends to have a lower unit cost.

Energy Efficiency

When trying to determine monthly costs and usage of gas vs electric water heaters, there are some pretty significant differences that are good to note.

Electric water heaters don’t use as much energy to heat up water, though it may be a slower process since they don’t use venting for heating. However, electricity costs can often be expensive, meaning the monthly bill may be more than gas.

For gas-powered water heaters, they tend to replenish hot water more quickly than their counterparts, but they use up a lot of energy in the process. Though not the most efficient in energy-usage, natural gas is usually a cheaper alternative to electricity. 

Performance & Recovery

Depending on how much hot water you and your family uses in a day, you should consider whether gas vs electric will be best for your household.

Gas water heaters are great at heating water quickly, so if you have a large household and are concerned about everyone getting a hot shower in a short period of time, gas is a great option. If you live alone or with a small family, electric water heaters still heat water well, albeit a bit slower, so they could be better suited for your needs.

Environmental Impact

If the environmental impact of your water heater is important to you, it’s good to know how each contributes to the impact.

Since gas-powered water heaters rely on propane and natural gases, these can use more carbon emissions than electric ones. Some of the newer models, though, are made with better efficiency, meaning less energy is needed to maintain the same functionality.

Electric water heaters can be greener options, especially if your electricity comes from a renewable source.

Lifespan

It’s important to invest in a water-heating system that is going to last you a long time. Whether you choose gas vs electric will determine how soon you will need a replacement.

Electric water heaters often last between 10-15 years, and gas-powered heaters last between 8-12 years. No matter which you have or choose, you should ensure that you provide proper and regular maintenance for your water heater to get the longest lifespan possible to get your money’s worth.

Gas vs Electric – Which One Is Best?

Whether you choose a gas vs electric water heater will often depend on your home, hookups, and budget. At S&B Plumbing, we offer water heater maintenance to keep your home feeling comfortable, regardless of the kind of heater you have. Whether you have a gas line or not, we can install a tankless water heater – a water supply that heats water on-demand wherever you need it – right into your home. Reach out to us for more information today!

Finding a water heater that works for your home can be a challenge. There are different sized storage tanks and heating capabilities that can work better for certain homeowners. The size of your home, how many people live there, and what you use your hot water for will help determine the correct sized water heater for your home. Working with a professional plumber can help take the stress off of your shoulders as the homeowner. 

Understanding Different Types Of Water Heaters

As our world continues to evolve, the types of water heaters also continue to evolve. Multiple types of water heaters can work for your home. This makes the process of choosing the correct sized water heater even more confusing. Here are some of the most common types of water heaters that work best for residential homes.

Storage Tank Water Heaters

These are the most common water heaters that have been placed in homes for many years. These water heaters heat water and then store it in a tank until it is needed. It has to keep the water at the right temperature until you need it for showering, washing dishes, or washing your clothes. This makes them less energy efficient than other types but works well for smaller families. 

Tankless Heater

Tankless water heaters heat water on demand so you have it quickly when you need it most. They are more energy efficient since they only work to heat water when you need it and don’t heat any more than necessary. Tankless water heaters are typically smaller, so if you utilize a large amount of hot water, tankless may not be the best option for you.

Solar Water Heater

Utilizing the help of the sun can improve your access to hot water. Since the sun is a renewable resource, you will be able to heat water faster while limiting your impact on the environment. These heater types are more efficient than other types of water heaters and typically last longer. Their durability makes them a great choice for older homes or those with young children who will be in the home for many years. 

Hybrid Water Heater

A heat pump can help heat water by pulling heat from the air and transferring it to your storage tank. These heater options are more efficient than other options but they need to be used in areas where the temperature is 40 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit year-round. If you live in a colder climate, they can be placed in furnace rooms to help pull that heat to maintain your hot water. 

The Number Of People In Your Home Will Determine The Correct Sized Water Heater

The number of people who live in your home will impact how much hot water you need daily or weekly. As more people shower, use dishes, wash clothes, or complete hobbies the more your hot water needs will rise. Here is a basic guide of how many gallons your water heater should provide based on the number of people living in a residence.

• 1 to 2 people: 23 to 36 gallons
• 2 to 4 people: 36 to 46
• 3 to 5 people: 46 to 56
• 5 or more people: over 56 (10 additional gallons for each additional person)

These averages will help homeowners choose the correct sized water heater that can keep up with the demands of your family.

Tankless Water Heaters Vs. Traditional Water Heaters

Utilizing tankless water heaters is a more energy-efficient option for a home. They heat the water on demand and don’t store it in a tank like traditional heaters. This helps prevent heat loss and excessive energy usage. Choosing the correct sized water heater will prevent water and energy waste, which makes your home sustainable.

Tankless water heaters are smaller, which gives you more useable floor space. Traditional heaters are bulky and usually need to be installed in a boiler room, laundry room, or basement. Tankless options can be placed in more discreet places, or in your bathroom. 

Traditional water heaters are typically less expensive to install and only require periodic flushing as routine maintenance. Tankless heaters have a more complex installation and will need maintenance like descaling and flushing. 

Consider The First Hour Rating

Another factor that will help you choose the right water heater size for your home is the first-hour rating (FHR). This is how much hot water a tank can produce in a single hour when it’s fully heated. This will give you an idea of how the heater will handle usage during peak times of the day. 

You want to find a heater that exceeds the average number of gallons needed for common activities. If the hot water can keep up with multiple activities simultaneously, it is a good choice for a home. 

Typically bathing or running a dishwasher takes about 15-20 gallons. Hand washing or shaving uses about 2-3 gallons. Washing clothes takes about 30 gallons. 

Water Heaters From S&B Plumbing

Our plumbers can help install a new water heater in your home or business and help you choose the correct sized water heater for your home. We offer tankless and traditional water heaters for all types of families. S&B Plumbing has the most experience of any Utah plumber, which means that you can have peace of mind about the current state of your home. Our plumbers treat you like family. Work with S&B Plumbing and take your residential plumbing to the next level.