Electric Hot Water Heaters, Service, Repair & Installation

If you have an electric water heater no hot water, call us for emergency service. We offer same-day electric hot water heater service.

When your electric water heater is nearing the end of its life expectancy and you're looking at a water heater replacement, you'll be happy to know there are more options with this type of water heater now, thanks to federal laws requiring water heaters to be more energy-efficient. Electric water heater service life span is similar to a gas fired tank type. About ten to twelve years.

Most homeowners replace the old water heater tank with a similar model, (same fuel source, natural gas or electricity). It's a good idea to replace the unit if you've noticed a water stain or puddle, or it is ten years or older. Avoiding potential water damage is always a good recommendation.

Switching from gas fired to an electric water heater can be costly because it means retrofitting the plumbing and electrical system. Installing an alternative water heater may make sense though if you are building an addition or renovating something.

Electric Water Heater Repair

When the water temperature is cooler than expected your unit is probably in need of a tune-up. A connection may have worked loose, one of the heating elements may need to be replaced or it's possible your circuit breaker was tripped. While we are there we will check the anode rod, upper thermostat, pressure relief valve, drain valve, and flush the water tank of sediment buildup.

We have heating experts on staff who know this industry inside out. We'll be happy to spend time with you discussing the particulars of your families needs or the business you operate. We suggest you consider a water heater maintenance schedule to offset unnecessary hot water heater repair cost. 

Call during office hours to speak with a professional plumber. We also provide electric tankless water heater service if you have one of those units. Keep in mind, energy consumption for electric units is something to consider, as energy costs play a big role in choosing the type of water heater you want installed.

Technical Info

Most electric water heaters use electric resistance elements to heat the water in the storage tank. A two-element electric water heater has one element at the top of the storage tank, and one element at the bottom. Each element is controlled by an independent thermostat. The lower element provides recovery from standby losses, and the upper element provides extra heating when a lot of hot water is being used. Some heaters contain only a lower element.

Electrical water heaters that store hot water can be a good match for a smart grid, so that it heats when the electrical grid load is low and turns off when the load is high. This could be implemented by allowing the power supplier to send load-shedding requests, or by the use of real-time energy pricing. 

Heat pump water heaters use an air source heat pump to transfer thermal energy from the air around the unit into the storage tank. Electric resistance element(s) are typically included to provide backup heating if the heat pump cannot provide sufficient heating capacity. A professional plumber knows the technical aspects and energy efficiency of electric water heaters. 

Comparisons

Like their gas counterparts, traditional electric water heaters have a large tank and a heating mechanism that converts cold water into hot water. The water is ready for use anytime you turn on the hot water faucet.

According to the Energy Rates website, natural gas is usually less expensive than electricity. Deciding between an electric vs. gas water heater is more a question of economics than preference. Bob Vila says that while electric water heaters may cost more to run than gas-powered water heaters, they're less expensive to purchase because they do not require the complicated gas hookup, installation fees, and open flame heating mechanism of a gas water heater.

North Carolina’s Consumer Council says that any energy savings from purchasing an electric water heater is likely eclipsed by a gas water heater in the long run because of gas prices. Homes that lack a gas hookup, or buildings that are electric-only can drive people to use an electric water heater (vs. gas) due to the convenience of the installation and operation.

Call us to for an appointment. We'll have a licensed plumber drop by to replace the old unit or repair faulty parts. Our plumbing services are for a wide range of water heaters and the work is covered by our fully comprehensive work warranty.