Water heaters


Not familiar with your hot water options?
Having an issue with your water heater? Shopping for a new one? We're here to help. Read on to learn about hot water heaters, common issues, and troubleshooting. If you still have questions or prefer bringing in the experts, we're happy to help.
Book an in-Home Diagnostic
Book a Service Call
Book a free Consultation

Water heaters: how they work.
Cost and efficiency are major factors when deciding whether to purchase a gas or electric water heater, as well as the parameters of your home and how it has been constructed.
As of December 1, 2018, there have been national code changes that may impact the ability to install a standard gas water heater in your home without significant modifications. If your home previously had a mid or standard efficiency furnace that was replaced with a high-efficiency model, it's possible your chimney is now oversized. This may be because the chimney was originally designed to accommodate both a furnace and a water heater and, now that the furnace vents out the sidewall, the chimney does not meet current code requirements.
Water heater types: you have options.
Let's look at three potential options to replace your existing water heater, depending on your home.

Standard Gas
A standard gas water heater works by using natural gas or propane as fuel to heat water inside a tank. The water is heated until it reaches a pre-set temperature, at which point the gas supply is shut off and the water is held in the tank until it's needed. Gas water heaters generally have a faster recovery time, meaning they can heat a large volume of water quickly, but they may be less energy-efficient than electric or heat pump water heaters.

Electric
Electric water heaters are easy to install and do not require ventilation, making them flexible in terms of placement within a home. They operate without using fuel, making them energy-efficient and producing fewer emissions. They are also easier to manage than gas water heaters and have a longer life expectancy. However, electric water heaters can have a slower flow rate and may run out of hot water more quickly than gas heaters.

Power Vented Gas
A power vent heater is a type of water heating system used when it's not possible to use a traditional chimney for venting. It works by drawing air from inside the home and using a motorized blower with a rotatable exhaust to force the air outside. This allows the heater to function without the need for a chimney.
Recovery, supply, and efficiency
In addition to different types of heat sources, every household has unique needs around the supply, heating speed, and energy-efficiency of its water heating system.

Water heaters do just that: heat the water in your home so you have hot water whenever you need it. Different water heaters can heat the water at different speeds. This is called recovery time.
Gas water heaters can heat the water faster than electric ones. If you have a lot of people in your home, or more than one bathroom, you might need a bigger water heater. These water heaters, namely 50-gallon or 80-gallon water heaters, are better at quickly heating up the water for your whole home.
If replacing your existing water heater isn't feasible, there are other options you can consider, such as a point-of-use heater for a particular high-use sink, or a tankless system to cover your entire home's increased needs.
If you'd like to explore options and get expert advice from the Sterling team on improving your water recovery, book a free consultation.
There are several ways to improve the supply of hot water from a hot water heater. One way is to increase the size of the hot water tank. If the tank is too small, it may not be able to keep up with the demand for hot water, especially if there are multiple showers or appliances running simultaneously.
Another way to improve the supply of hot water is to install a "demand" or "tankless" hot water heater. These types of heaters only heat water when it is needed, rather than continuously heating a tank of water, which can help reduce energy usage and improve the supply of hot water. Additionally, insulating the hot water pipes can help reduce heat loss and improve the flow of hot water to the faucets and showers.
If you want to explore your own home situation and learn about your options for improving your water supply, book a free consultation with one the experts at Sterling.
To improve hot water heater efficiency in your home, you can use less hot water, install efficient shower heads and faucet attachments, lower the temperature on your water heater's thermostat, insulate your water pipes and tank, flush out the tank regularly, or invest in a tankless water heater.
Using less hot water and replacing current plumbing fixtures with more efficient alternatives can reduce the amount of hot water you use. Lowering the temperature on your water heater's thermostat can also save energy, while insulating your pipes and tank can help retain heat. Flushing out the tank regularly can prevent calcification and improve efficiency.
Additionally, switching to a tankless water heater will improve overall efficiency in the long run, as they only turn on when hot water is needed and do not require a tank, making them more energy-efficient.
Book a free consultation with one of our Sterling experts to discuss options for improving hot water efficiency in your home.
We carry, install, and service all major makes and models.








Hear from our customers
Still have questions?

Book a Consultation

Hot water worries?
Not with SterlingCare plans starting as low as $9.99.
Take back control and enjoy peace of mind with a SterlingCare Maintenance Plan.