Water Heater Replacement and Repair
Sacramento Plumbing Solutions provides residential and commercial water heater replacement, repair, and maintenance services to the Greater Sacramento area. If you’re experiencing problems with your water heater, contact us to schedule a free in-person or virtual inspection.
Upon review, we’ll give you our honest, professional recommendation for the best course of action, depending on the issue. If we can repair your water heater at a reasonable price, we’ll complete a low-cost, guaranteed repair. If repairs are too costly, we’ll show you how to reduce replacement costs while improving efficiency through our streamlined process.
Call us today at (916) 275-4716 to schedule a service.
Free Inspection
Water Heater Replacement
Of all household appliances, the water heater is used more frequently than any other. As a result, homeowners will likely need to replace their water heater at least once during their home’s lifetime. When that time comes, we’re here to help. Call us today to schedule a free virtual or in-person consultation. In the meantime, check out our Water Heater Size Guide to help determine the best unit size for your home. We offer highly competitive prices on quality replacement options for all types of residential and commercials water heaters, including:
Hot Water Tanks
Hot water tanks store water in a large insulated tank while utilizing a heating element to warm the water to the desired temperature. They range in size from 20 to 80 gallons with a 10-15 years lifetime and operate using electricity, natural gas, oil, or propane. While hot water tanks are currently the most common residential water heating system throughout the United States, homeowners are beginning to move away from them due to their lack of efficiency.
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless or “on-demand” water heaters utilize an electric or gas burner to heat cold water as it passes through the unit to provide an endless hot water supply and remove the need for a large tank or reservoir. While tankless water heaters are more expensive than hot water tanks, they are between 8 and 34% more efficient depending on a home’s water usage leading to an annual savings of $100 or more with a life expectancy of 20 years or more.
Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters utilize specialized refrigerants and a unique compressor to heat water by drawing warmth from the ambient air into an insulated storage tank. Homeowners can purchase integrated units with a built-in water tank or retrofit their existing tank with an add-on pump. On average, heat pump water heaters are much more energy-efficient than tankless alternatives, but their installation and homeowners should consider maintenance costs before choosing between the two models.
Water Heater Repair and Maintenance
For homeowners interested in maintaining or repairing their existing water heater, we can perform routine preventative maintenance, emergency and non-emergency water heater repairs. If you’re experiencing problems with your water heater or are interested in programming routine maintenance, we invite you to schedule a free inspection at your earliest convenience.
Emergency Repair Services
We understand plumbing emergencies don’t follow a regular business schedule. Small failures often go undetected until reaching a breaking point, requiring urgent attention before they cause lasting damage. When plumbing emergencies occur, homeowners need a reliable team of insured, licensed, and bonded plumbers who can fix any problem at a moment’s notice. Sacramento Plumbing Solutions is here for all your plumbing emergencies with our emergency plumbing services, available 24 hours a day, Monday through Saturday.
Preventative Water Heater Maintenance
Including preventative water heater maintenance in your home maintenance routine is an excellent way to prolong the lifespan of your water heater, maintain efficiency, and avoid costly repairs or replacements. If you’re interested in developing a water heater maintenance plan, we’re happy to inspect your water heating system to determine the services that fit your needs, such as:
- Adding insulation
- Temperature calibration/resetting
- Tank flush
- Inspecting anode rod
- Leaky water heater
- Water heater repairs
- Not enough water
- Heating element inspection
- Water heater tank replacement
Common Water Heater Repairs
For each type of water heater, there is a set of common signs and problems we encounter. Depending on your water heater type, you can keep an eye out for these signs and understand the likely repairs required. Many of these repairs are quick, easy, and inexpensive, while others may require more time and money.
Electric Water Heaters
The most common problems we see with electric water heaters are caused by a failed heating element. Luckily, a heating element is an inexpensive part that is relatively easy to replace. Additionally, other typical electric water heater issues we encounter are caused by:
- Improper settings
- High water pressure
- Lack of tank maintenance
- Old age
Gas Water Heaters
Gas water tank issues can be more challenging to diagnose. The most common problem with gas water heaters is a dead pilot light. To determine whether your pilot light is dead or simply went out, follow the relighting instructions posted on the tank. If it doesn’t relight, give us a call. In addition to dead pilot lights, other common problems we encounter include:
- Blocked gas valves
- Defective thermocouples
- Low gas pressure
- Air in gas lines
- Broken ignitor buttons
- Gas leaks
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are more reliable than hot water tanks and require far fewer repairs over their lifespan. However, failures do still occur at times. Some signs that your tankless water heater may need repairs include:
- Lack of hot water
- Fluctuating temperatures
- Leaking pipes
- Inconsistent water pressure
- Incorrect thermostat settings
Heat Pump Water Heaters
If you’re experiencing high operating costs, seeing discolored/milky water, or smelling rotten eggs, your heat pump water heater may need repairs. While hiring a licensed professional for water heater repairs is always a good idea, it’s especially important for heat pump water heater repairs. Some of the common problems we encounter with heat pump water heaters include:
- TRP valve failures
- Excessive noise
- No hot water
- Dripping water
- Atmospheric temperature drops
- Pump failures
Types of Water Heaters
| Water Heater Type | Storage | Tankless | Heat Pump |
| How They Work |
A storage water heater holds a reservoir of hot water and operates by releasing hot water from the top of the tank when you turn on the hot water tap. Cold water fills the bottom of the tank after use. | Tankless water heaters are energy-efficient water heating appliances that warm water instantaneously without the need for a large storage tank. As cold water flows through the unit, the built-in heat exchanger warms the water using either an electric or natural gas burner resulting in an endless supply of hot water without concern for an empty storage tank. | Heat pump water heaters use a compressor to transfer heat from the surrounding environment to warm the water within a storage tank. If the surrounding environment becomes too cold, most systems include a backup heating element that will act similar to a hot water tank. |
| Pros | - Lower purchase cost.
- Allows for simultaneous, multiples uses of hot water. |
- Superior energy efficiency, 8%-34% more efficient than storage water heaters with up to $100 annual savings.
- On-demand hot water - Impressive 20+ year lifespan. |
- Ultimate energy-efficiency
- Impressive ROI, savings, and rebates - All-in-one heating and cooling system integration |
| Cons | - Standby heat loss can occur, wasting energy even when a hot water tap isn't running.- | - Higher initial cost.
- Hot water output limited to about 2-5 gallons per minute; multiple heaters may be needed if hot water demand is high. |
- Can only be installed in locations that remain in the 40–90 degrees Farenheit range year-round.
- Require at least 1,000 cubic feet of air space around the water heater. |
Water Heater Replacement vs. Repair
As with any appliance, a time will come when replacing your water heater is more economically sensible than paying for repair work. Some reasons to consider the replacing your water heater include:
- Your water heater model is out of service.
- Parts are unavailable for your water heater.
- Your water heater requires frequent repairs.
- Your water heater is no longer operating efficiently.
While it’s never easy to determine when the moment for replacement has arrived, a good rule of thumb is: If the repair costs more than half the price of a replacement, then replacing the water heater is your best choice.
Call Us Today For A Free Water Heater Inspection
If you believe your water heater needs replacement or repair, contact Sacramento Plumbing Solutions for a free in-home inspection today. One of our licensed plumbers will be in touch and can likely visit the next business day. During your assessment, we’ll help you find the highest quality water heaters while providing the highest quality service at fair and upfront rates.
