Electric Water Heater Repair & Installation in Marietta, GA

In an all-electric home, the water heater is often one of the largest steady loads on the meter, and when a bill climbs for no obvious reason, it is worth a look. Many of the problems that waste electricity are plumbing problems, the kind Alpha Plumbing and Sewer finds and fixes in Marietta homes.

Where the electricity goes

An electric tank spends energy in two ways. Most goes into heating the cold water that replaces every gallon drawn from the taps, so the more hot water the household uses, the more the elements run. The rest is standby loss: heat leaking through the tank walls and the first stretch of pipe while nobody is using water, which the thermostats make up for by switching an element on now and then. Elements turn nearly all of the electricity they draw into heat, so savings come from using less hot water, losing less heat, or moving to a heater that works differently.

Faults that quietly waste energy

• Hot water leaks. A dripping hot tap, a running tub spout or a leak on a hot line under the floor keeps the heater refilling with cold water. Fixtures are handled through faucet and valve repair, and hidden lines through leak detection.
• A weeping relief valve. Every drop out of that pipe is heated water going to waste.
• Thermostats set high. Higher settings increase standby loss and raise the scald risk, usually without any real gain in comfort.
• A thermostat that does not shut off. If it sticks, the element runs until the high-limit switch trips, wasting power and raising the risk of overheating.
• Heat-trap or insulation problems. Missing heat traps at the top connections let hot water circulate into the pipes, and hot pipes that run through a cold crawlspace or attic shed heat all day.

Low-cost ways to trim use

1. Set both thermostats to about 120 degrees Fahrenheit unless the household needs hotter water.
2. Insulate the first several feet of the hot outlet pipe, and the cold inlet near the tank.
3. Fix dripping hot taps promptly.
4. Use a vacation setting, or switch the breaker off, when the house will be empty for several days.
5. Consider efficient showerheads, which cut hot water use without changing habits.

Insulation blankets: when they help

Older tanks with thin insulation can benefit from an external blanket. Many newer tanks are insulated well enough that a blanket adds little, and some manufacturers restrict how one may be fitted. Any blanket must leave the access panels, the relief valve, the label and the drain valve uncovered. Check the manufacturer's instructions before wrapping a tank.

Upgrades that change the numbers

A heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding air instead of making it with an element, so it typically uses a fraction of the electricity of a standard tank. It needs space, airflow and a condensate drain, and it cools the room it sits in. Replacing a very old standard tank with a new one reduces standby loss, though by a smaller margin. An electric tankless unit eliminates standby loss but draws a very large current while it runs, often more than an existing panel can supply. The Georgia overview of water heater types sets them side by side.

Marietta permits

Marietta's building division calls for a plumbing permit on work to a plumbing system, and according to the city's homeowner permit page, plumbing permits are filed by the professional doing the work rather than by the owner. The same page explains how to check from the county parcel record whether a property is inside city limits or under Cobb County.

Questions about water heater energy use in Marietta

How much of my bill does the water heater account for?

There is no single figure; it depends on household size, habits, the thermostat setting and the heater's condition. Your utility's usage history helps: compare a month when the house was empty with one of normal use. A sudden jump without a change in routine often points to a leak, a weeping relief valve or a thermostat that will not shut off.

Does switching the heater off at night save energy?

Only a little for a standard electric tank, because a well-insulated tank loses heat slowly overnight and the elements simply reheat in the morning. A timer can make more sense where electricity is priced by time of day, but it risks a cold morning shower if set too tightly. Turning the heater off during longer absences is more worthwhile.

Does a heat pump model make sense for every home?

Not every home. It saves the most where hot water use is steady and the heater can sit in a garage, basement or large utility room with enough air around it. A small closed closet usually does not work without louvers or ducting allowed by the manufacturer. The upfront cost is higher, so expected savings and space should be weighed together.

Talk about your heater's energy use

If your power bill has crept up and the water heater is a suspect, speak with Alpha Plumbing and Sewer at (404) 409-4448; in a Marietta home, the heater, the relief valve and the hot lines can all be checked for the usual energy wasters.