It can be demoralizing when every effort to lower your power bill hits a dead end, no matter how many lights stay turned off. But what if the main culprit is your home’s water heater? Perhaps your home and wallet are trying to tell you that you need a water heater repair.
According to the Department of Energy, water heaters account for about 18% of a home’s energy bills when operating correctly. On the other hand, malfunctioning systems requiring various water heater repairs can drive this figure up significantly. You may unknowingly shell out 10% or more extra monthly on your energy bill!
There are several common water heater issues that can contribute to skyrocketing energy expenses, including:
- If your water heater has a storage tank, sediment accumulation in the tank forces the appliance to work harder to heat water properly. This buildup of mineral deposits and corrosion essentially creates dead zones of trapped gunk that limit heat transfer efficiency.
- Faulty thermostats may also get confused, unnecessarily switching on heating elements instead of regulating stable temperatures. They may cause water to be heated to scalding levels when all you want is a refreshing shower. Meanwhile, your water heater will be expending excessive energy.
- Failing heating elements wear out more quickly and operate erratically. As a result, your water heater may use more time and energy to heat water to the appropriate temperature.
Luckily, affordable water heater repairs like tank flushing, thermostat recalibration, heating element replacement, and anode rod maintenance can get things functioning optimally once again. Next time you’re faced with an unusually high energy bill, don’t fret – contact our plumbing experts at Rainbow Plumbing & Heating for prompt and efficient water heater repair.