Imagine standing in the shower…and all of a sudden the water turns cold! Now think about all the things you do with hot water in your home. We rely on water heaters daily to wash our clothes and dishes, and provide warm water for showers. They are one of the most used appliances in the home, yet many homeowners neglect to check its functionality and lose track of how many years they have owned it.
Ever wondered how to prolong the life of your water heater? Click the link.
Water Heaters
Gas - Electric - Tankless
High pressure, hard water and hot temperatures take their toll on appliances over the years. When your water heater is over 10 years old it is approaching the end of its run. We recommend getting it serviced once a year to eliminate any potential problems. No matter the size of the job, or what city you live in, expert plumbers can be dispatched to your home to service the problem immediately.
A rusty tank or a water heater leak can be the prelude to a total break down. Housing between 25 to 40 gallons of water, an unchecked traditional tank water heater can be a dam ready to burst and flood your home or garage. Remember that A-1 American Services all of Hampton Roads. So if your water heater bursts in Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk or even Williamsburg, A-1 American can offer emergency services day or night.
Before a small problem grows into a bigger one and your considering which water heater company to contact, have a qualified tech from A-1 American Services check your water heater. Replacing a thermostat or flushing the tank can add years to its life span and keep your energy use within normal, advisable, levels.
Diagnosing Water Heater Woes
For detailed information on water heater problems written in plain English, check out this helpful blog. It’s a wealthy resource of information, designed specifically to explain the situation in a way that anyone would understand. Residents would likely agree that it does explain at length the most common causes of water heater malfunction based on the symptoms your water heater is experiencing, including no hot water, foul-smelling water, brown water, crackling noises and leaks.
When your water heater fails, A-1 American Services understands that you need it to be repaired or replaced immediately.
Call (757) 425-2400
A-1 American offers emergency service 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
 New Water Heater Installation
A-1 American can install a brand new water heater in your home. There are three main types. Find out how they work, pros and cons, features to consider and problems that may occur with age. Click on each for information:
New Water Heater Installation Help
An experienced technician at A-1 American Services would be more than happy to walk you step-by-step through your purchase of a new water heater. In the meantime, feel free to check out our blog that points new buyers in the right direction by clicking here.
Did you know?
The average water heater, if properly maintained, can provide 40-50 gallons of fresh water in case of emergency. Click the link for more information. Forget about just filling up the bathtub, we’re talking serious amounts of fresh water during a hurricane or other natural disaster! Many times, for example during a power outage or a hurricane, the city’s water treatment facilities will be operating under strained conditions, so you’ll be thankful you can use up to 50 gallons from the water heater itself.
Hurricanes and Your Plumbing
Hurricane season can be disastrous for utility poles, water treatment facilities, and is behind $5 Billion of costs cities around the nation must pay. But did you know Hurricanes can spell disaster for your home’s piping? Check out this helpful guide on how to hurricane-proof your plumbing.
Using Your Water Heater’s Thermostat…Correctly
A water heater’s thermostat is usually set between 120 and 180 degrees, and it can be found under a protective covering, with a dial or another type of temperature control. You can extend the life of the water heater, save money, and protect your family from burns from scalding water if you know how to properly use your unit’s thermostat. Most manufacturer’s recommend the setting to lie between 120 and 140 degrees. If you have small children or an elderly person living in the home, it’s best to stay near the cooler range of 120 degrees to prevent scalding. Keeping the water heater near 130 degrees also keeps the electric bill lower each month.
If you plan to go out of town for any extended period of time (longer than the weekend) it’s recommended that you dial back the thermometer even more. This will put less strain on your system, saving money and preserving the integrity of the water heater.
We install and service water heaters from the following manufacturers:
- State
- Ruud
- AO Smith
- Whirlpool
- GE
- American
- and many other major brands
Contact A-1 American if you notice the follow water heater issues:
- A leak, small or large
- Discoloration from a corroding tank
- Knocking and popping sounds from your water heater
- A spike in your energy bill
For emergency water heater repair or replacement
Call (757) 425-2400
We understand what a huge inconvenience a broken water heater has on a home. It is our goal to quickly replace it, so you can move on with the regular tasks of your day.
We specialize in installing newer energy efficient water heaters such as Rheem, Ruud, and Bradford White. If you have questions about selecting a new model for your home, call A-1 American Services. A technician can come to your home and tell you which one would work best for your family’s needs.
Consider Upgrading to a Tankless Water Heater
Following a flood from a broken water heater, some of our customers have decided to upgrade to a tankless water heater. The tankless water heater brings you hot water when you need it without use of a storage tank. We can remove your old unit and upgrade your home with a Takagi or Rinnai tankless water heater.
Tankless water heaters are a great alternative to conventional hot water heaters because:
- They can last almost twice as long as conventional water heaters
- The negative effects of hard water are lower
- Takes up less storage space
- No danger of flooding
- Uses less energy than conventional models
A Quick History of Water Heaters
We often take our modern-day plumbing systems for granted. One great example of this is the water heater. Whenever you wash clothes, dishes, or yourself, your enjoying the convenience of a water heaters. The invention of the first water heater is credited to British man named Benjamin Maughan. His device was the first to heat water instantaneously without using solid fuel. His pipes forced the cooler water at the top to become exposed to the hot gases from a burner at the bottom of his invention, which he called a geyser. In Europe today, water heaters are still sometimes referred to as geysers.
However, Maughan’s accomplishments would be short-lived. After immigrating to Pennsylvania, Edwin Ruud created the first automatic, storage-tank type gas water heater in or around 1889. Ruud’s machine was so successful that it has only been slightly modified over the 100 years since its invention. Ruud, inc., is still an industry leader in water heater manufacturing. A-1 American Services specializes in repair and replacement of all types of water heaters in the Hampton Roads area. Give us a call 24/7 at  (757) 425-2400.
Energy Tax Credits Available for 2014!
Enacted by Congress on January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 allows homeowners to claim up to $500 for upgrading their primary residence with energy efficient appliances. This applies to any home improvements including the purchasing and installation of heating systems, ventilation, air conditioning, and water heater appliances. Let A-1 American help you select the energy efficient appliances that best suits the needs of your home.
Consult with A-1 American to see how this tax credit may affect you when considering upgrading your air conditioning, heating and water heater appliances. For complete details about your eligibility for the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, ask your tax professional.
For emergency water heater repair or replacement
Call (757) 425-2400
A-1 American provides air conditioning, heating, water heater and plumbing services, like electric, gas and tankless water heater repair and installation, to homes and businesses in the Hampton Roads Virginia cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News and Hampton and north into Williamsburg. A-1 American provides emergency service and repair, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including weekends and holidays. A-1 American charges by the job, not by the hour. A-1 American prides itself on immediate response, punctuality, courtesy and customer satisfaction.
Call today! Southside 757-425-2400 :: Peninsula 757-595-9900 :: Williamsburg 757-565-1900.
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