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Water Heaters

Water Heaters

Battavio replaces and installs water heaters with specialized training on Bradford White systems. We replace and install for both residential and commercial locations, and offer a 6-year warranty on new installs. Additionally, we can make recommendations to include certain accessories, such as:

  • Mixing Valve to increase hot water capacity on a smaller tank

  • Expansion Tank to protect water pressure levels from reaching dangerous levels

  • Pan and Bricks to elevate the system and prevent damage to floors

Functionality, Sizing and Types of Water Heaters

A water heater is an appliance used to heat water and keep it at a constant, elevated temperature. Generally, all water heaters function similarly, by bringing cold water into the tank and using either heating rods/elements or a burner to heat the water and distribute throughout the home/building. There are two main types of water heaters – conventional (tanked) and tankless with varying configurations (i.e. electric, gas, gas with power vent or atmospheric vents). Both are available in several sizes as small as 2.5 gallon up to 80 gallon for residential usage. Call for Commercial sizing. Boilers also have the ability to heat water, however its role is typically used for heating a home/building. See Boilers to learn more.

Signs a Water Heater Replacement is Necessary

Leaks

Any leak whether a slow drip or a steady stream

Rust

Pipes showing corrosion or a rust line on the unit

Age

10 years or older; water takes a long time to heat

Types of Water Heaters

Electric Water Heater

Uses heating elements or “rods” inside of the tank to heat the water from the center of the tank, causing it to rise and disperse through the pipes in your home/building.  Benefits:

  • Easy to install
  • Reasonable purchase price
  • No pilot light to relight
  • Clean and efficient
Gas Water Heaters

Uses a gas-fired burner at the bottom of the tank, resulting in hot water rising to the top to be dispersed throughout the home/building, while the gas emissions escape vertically through a chimney or flue. These models are initially more expensive at time of purchase, however the savings in operating and energy are greater.

  • Gas w/Power vent: A power vent helps reduce the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and eliminates potential backdraft, by venting combustible gasses horizontally outside of the home with the use of a fan.  
  • Gas w/Atmospheric vent: The atmospheric vent is one of the oldest models, as the pressure of combustible gasses are pushed vertically out of your chimney/flue into the atmosphere.  These are typically found in older homes where chimneys/flues are already in place and are becoming less common as newer environmentally-friendly and cost-effective models become available.

Benefits of all Gas Water Heaters:

  • Energy efficient
  • Operates during power outages
  • Heats water quickly
  • Lower operating costs compare
Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters work off demand, heating water instantly as water flows through a heat exchanger that is powered by either a natural gas burner or an electric element.  Without the use of a storage tank that takes up a lot of space in your home they can be installed in small spaces on the wall, under the stairs or even in a pantry.  These are a more expensive option to install, however the benefits of energy usage, life expectancy and space saving features outweigh the initial install costs for most homeowners. Benefits:

  • Instant hot water
  • Life expectancy up to 20 years
  • Energy efficient
  • Easily replaceable parts
  • Saves space
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