What Size Hot Water System Do You Actually Need?
When it comes time to replace a hot water system, one of the first questions most homeowners ask is: What size do I actually need? It sounds like a simple question. Four people live in the house, so buy the system recommended for four people. Unfortunately, hot water does not quite work like that. Two […]
8 Hot Water System Faults That Don’t Always Mean You Need a New System
When a hot water system suddenly stops working, a lot of homeowners immediately assume the worst. The system is dead. Time for a replacement. Sometimes that’s true. But plenty of hot water problems are caused by individual components, valves or electrical faults that can often be repaired without replacing the entire unit. We recently attended […]
Running Out of Hot Water? This 400L Thermann System Solved the Problem
Running out of hot water occasionally is annoying. Running out of it regularly in a large household usually means the hot water system simply isn’t keeping up with demand. That was the problem at this property. It’s a large seven-to-eight-bedroom home, and the existing hot water setup wasn’t providing enough capacity for the amount of […]
No Hot Water? A Faulty Thermostat Could Be the Cause
When an electric storage hot water system suddenly stops producing hot water, it is easy to assume the entire unit has failed. Sometimes, however, the problem is a smaller component inside the system. We recently attended a no-hot-water call where the storage tank was still filling normally, but the water was not heating. After testing […]
Instantaneous Hot Water System Wouldn’t Shut Down: When a Fault Means It’s Time to Replace
An instantaneous hot water system should be pretty straightforward in the way it operates. Turn on a hot tap, the unit fires up and heats the water. Turn the tap off, and the system shuts down. So when an instantaneous hot water system keeps running when it shouldn’t, it’s a fault worth taking seriously. We […]
When a Hot Water Tank Starts Swelling and Leaking
A hot water tank that is swelling, bulging or leaking is not something to ignore. Visible changes to the shape of a storage hot water system, particularly when combined with water leaking from the unit, can indicate that the system is deteriorating and needs to be inspected. We recently attended a property where the existing […]
Why We’re Recommending Stainless Steel Hot Water Tanks More Often
When a storage hot water system fails, most homeowners understandably start by looking at the replacement price. But there is another question worth asking: What is the new tank actually made from? We recently replaced a hot water system for a customer whose existing steel tank had deteriorated badly. The water had become noticeably brown, […]
Why Does My Continuous Flow Hot Water System Go Cold?
One of the main reasons homeowners choose a continuous flow hot water system is right there in the name: continuous hot water. Unlike a traditional storage system, there is no tank of heated water waiting to be emptied. Instead, the system heats water as it passes through the unit. That means a correctly sized and […]
Rheem’s New Heat Pump Hot Water Systems: What Changed and Why?
Heat pump hot water systems are changing quickly. They are no longer simply an energy-efficient alternative to a conventional electric storage system. Manufacturers are now improving refrigerants, efficiency, recovery performance, installation flexibility and even the way homeowners control when their water is heated. Rheem’s current heat pump range provides a good example of that change. […]
When Was the First Household Hot Water System Invented?
Turning on a tap and expecting hot water within seconds is so normal today that it is easy to forget how significant the invention of household hot water actually was. For most of human history, getting hot water required someone to heat it manually over a fire or stove and then carry it to wherever […]