Supply And Installation
Of Electric Water Heaters
Electric Water Heaters
Plumbtech Plumbing supplies, installs, and services electric water heaters. Homeowners may choose their tank and have Plumbtech install it.
If choosing a tank, make sure it is CSA approved. Plumbtech can also supply the hot water tank and install it.
Advantages of Electric
- One bill.
- Quiet operation.
- Electric tanks can be installed anywhere there is electricity or solar.
Size and Application
Hot Water Tanks are available in different sizes.
Choose the size to fit the space and task.
Many cottages, for example, can use a small tank.
An office or business with a two-piece bathroom can also use a small tank as a large one isn’t needed.
Going Small
A small, space-saving hot water tank can be plugged in but it has to have a separate plug or have roughed-in wiring ready to go.
Electricity
Make sure the voltage is rated for the size of the hot water tank.
A small tank of 5-25 gallons will usually require 110 voltage.
Smaller tanks can be used to boost the hot water supply when the main tank is too far away. Anything larger than 25 gallons will require higher voltage.
Options
If the hot water tank is a long distance away from the plumbing fixture, an inline water-heater tank can be installed under the sink, in the vanity, to help with the delivery of hot water.
A smaller, 110-volt unit functions as a booster water heater at the sink to prevent hot water from cooling.
Booster tanks are available from Plumbtech. Homeowners may also purchase their own. If purchasing your own, make sure it fits the space and there is existing separate electricity available.
Insulating the hot water line will also help to keep the water hot for longer.
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Circulating Pumps
If the hot water has to travel a long way from the tank, it could cool in the plumbing line before it reaches the tap.
A small circulating pump installed at the hot water tank can prevent line cooling by moving the hot water continuously to the fixture and back to the hot water tank.
Also, some circulating pumps can be set up on a timer so they can turn on when needed.
Safety First
The cold water line will need a valve to shut off the water supply to the tank.
To prevent burns, the tank has a pressure relief valve, to release hot water and steam if something goes wrong with the thermostat and/or water pressure.
Temperature
Scalding hot water can burn. The temperature in a hot water tank needs to be 140 degrees Fahrenheit/ 60 degrees Celsius and higher to kill bacteria such as Legionella from occurring. Legionnaires’ diseases are life-threatening.
Mixing Valves
Water heaters are, by code, required to have a mixing valve.
Installed on top of the tank, the valve mixes hot and cold water and keeps it at a warm, safe temperature when the hot tap is turned on.
Handles and Taps
One handle faucets can be adjusted at the handle.
A relaxing soak in the bathtub can have repercussions if there is no adjustment. Topping up the hot water directly from the tap has the potential to cause burns. When the water in the tub cools mid-bathe, the adjustment will allow for hotter water temperatures for top-ups.
Flushing the Tank
Large water heaters have two elements, located at the top and bottom of the tank. Smaller water heaters have one element.
Both can create sediment which falls to the bottom of the tank and collects over time, particularly in hard water.
Sediment is made up of mineral deposits such as limescale and hard particles from sand, clay, or any other debris.
It is naturally occurring and increases with the amount of water that goes in and out of the tank.
Flushing the tank once each year could help extend the life of the water heater if needed.
Service and Maintenance
While tank flushing tends to be the main service item, it’s also a good idea to check for low water pressure.
Service could also include checking the temperature and pressure relief valve to make sure it is working properly.
In addition, the mixing valve should be checked for calcium buildup.
Life Span
An electric hot water tank has a life span that can range from 10 to 20 years or less depending on condition of the water, manufacturer, and quality of the tank.
Common Hot Water Tank Issues
Leaks can occur at the valve, plumbing connections, or the tank itself. Older tanks can start to leak, damaging any flooring or carpeting, furniture, and anything else that happens to sit on the floor. It’s best to catch it early as it will keep spilling water until the tank is empty.
In addition, if the water flow to the tank isn’t turned off, the tank will keep refilling and leaking even more water onto the floor. There is a hot water tank pan that’s available with a spigot to go to a drain to catch leaks.
When to Call
If there is a leak or a drip or an unusual odour. A strange smell is an indication something is off.
Plumbtech’s experienced plumbers can diagnose the problem and advise if the tank can be repaired, or if it is better to install a new one.
In The Event of an Emergency
Plumbtech Plumbing Inc. maintains a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week Emergency Service. Highly skilled plumbers can be dispatched throughout Barrie, Simcoe County, Muskoka, and Parry Sound. Call (877) 705-7209.
