Hot Water Heater Repair & Replacement in Vail, AZ

The decision to repair or replace your water heater depends on multiple factors.  The biggest factor in making this decision is the age and history of maintenance of the water heater.  Here in Arizona, if a 15-year-old water heater stops working, even if the problem is repairable, it would be professionally irresponsible to repair the unit because it is long past its life expectancy.  

However, if an 8-year-old unit needs repair and has had a history of annual maintenances and anode rod replacements when needed, repairing the unit may be a viable option. Al Coronado Plumbing is educated in all types of water heaters and can give you all the information needed to best guide you through this kind of decision!

Depending on the type of water heater that is on the property, water heaters will use various forms of energy to heat the water within.  Generally speaking, there are two primary heat sources for water heaters these days: gas and electricity.  Both of these energy sources have tank-based and tankless models available on the market.  Gas tank-based heaters use what is called a burner assembly to heat the water from the bottom of the large reserve tank.  This is essentially relatively similar to a stove burner that heats a pot of water.  Gas tankless units use a larger and more powerful burner in what is called a “heat exchanger,” to heat the water instantly inside the water heater as it is being used in the home. 

Electric tank-based units use electric powered heating elements that work together to heat the water in the tank.  Similarly, electric tankless units use more powerful elements to heat the water on demand for a property.  Both types of tankless units tend to be more efficient because they only use their energy source while water is being used, rather than using energy to keep a large reserve tank at a given temperature at all times. 

Tankless units are growing in popularity but other technologies including hybrid heat pumps and solar are also viable solutions for a homeowner.  It all comes down to the individual homeowner and their lifestyle in deciding what type of technology is best for them.  Al Coronado Plumbing has the knowledge and expertise of all types of water heaters and technologies to help homeowners navigate the decision in what is best for them, their homes, and their families.

There are four main reasons why a water heater may leak: age of the unit, the water quality of the home, the water pressure of the home, and maintenance of the unit.  Depending on the type of water heater, tank-based units in Arizona have an average life expectancy of 9.7 years. Tankless units have an average life expectancy of 50-100% longer than their tank-based counterparts, but this varies with the aforementioned factors.  Our water quality in Arizona is both very high in mineral and chemical content, so water treatment systems of different types can prolong the life of water heaters and other water-using appliances. Checking and maintaining your home’s water pressure to ensure it stays in safe ranges is also critical.