Gas Water Heater Installation Adelaide / South Australia / Australia

There are several types of water heaters, some of which classified based on the fuel source, and others based on the way in which water-heater heat and store the heated water. Traditional tank-style water heaters, which are the most common, are usually electric or natural gas-fired. Other types, such as tankless, solar, condensing, and heat pump systems, have very different types of operation. For the article, we’re mostly focusing on gas water heaters, fired by natural gas, but many of the gas water heater installation and replacement services companies also routinely deal in the entire range of water heating products, styles, and fuel types.

In this article, we’ll provide some brief information on why you should leave gas water heater installations to the professionals from gas water heater installation and replacement services, review the advantages of natural gas water heaters over electric, and highlight the gas water heater installation or replacement process. 

GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT SERVICES – PROFESSIONALS VS. DIY         

Many home improvement and maintenance projects are appealing to consumers who enjoy “do it yourself” or DIY. It may be tempting to do many things yourself, and gas water heater installations and replacements are no exception. But note, there is a great deal of complexity and other reasons why it’s not advisable to install or replace a gas water heater yourself and should leave it to the professionals from gas water heater installation and replacement services.

For a start, gas water heater installation and replacement services are usually bonded and licensed by the local jurisdiction. They typically guarantee their work and are responsible should anything go wrong during the gas water heater installation. These are assurances that are not available when doing the job on your own – if you mess something up, you’re on the hook for the costs of fixing it.

Another good reason to leave these tasks to gas water heater installation and replacement services stems from the fact that, often, these same service companies are the ones who are selling the gas water heaters in the first place. That is especially true when you have a broken gas water heater and need a consultation/ repairer to determine what is wrong. Often, when you find out it’s not something that can be fixed, and you need a gas water heater replacement, it’s a matter of expediency and convenience to buy a replacement gas water heater from these same company, with the technician already in your house and everything ready to go. Sometimes, you can get a replacement gas water heater on the same day.

Finally, one of the best reasons to leave this kind of work up to professionals from gas water heater installation and replacement services stems from the fact that there is some danger involved in the installation and replacement process. Also, flooding and water damage could occur in your home if you don’t know what you are doing, and valves aren’t properly shut off, the water heater properly drained, or the new water heater adequately installed. Working with natural gas always carries some risks and much higher risks to amateurs than professionals who work with it every day. In fact, in many jurisdictions, consumers aren’t even allowed to work on gas appliances themselves – only those with certifications or licensing, registered with the local gas company, can do that kind of work.

For all these reasons, it’s best to leave the installation of a new gas water heater or a replacement of a gas water heater to the experts from gas water heater installation and replacement services, rather than trying to save some dollars by attempting it yourself. 

GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT SERVICES – ADVANTAGES OF GAS WATER HEATERS

Gas water heaters remain one of the most popular kinds of water heaters in the US and many other countries. That is mainly because of the fact they offer several advantages over different types of water heaters. For a start, as many gas water heater installation and replacement service pros will tell consumers, gas water heaters tend to cost less to operate than their electric counterparts. Some of the reasons for this is that natural gas prices have remained relatively low over time, and the relative abundance of natural gas (as well as the recent boom in natural gas fracking) continues this trend. According to the US Department of Energy’s Average Energy Costs report for 2017, it can be calculated that a typical household using a 50-gallon tank gas-fired water heater will spend $309 in energy costs in a year for its operation, while the same size heater, electrically heated, will require more than double the cost in energy, at $626.

In addition to the cost factor, gas water heaters tend to have a faster recovery time than electric water heaters. Recovery time characterizes how long it takes to re-heat the full volume of the tank after it has been depleted. According to many gas water heater installation and replacement services, a gas water heater with a 50-gallon tank can usually recover in about an hour, whereas an equal volume electric water heater can take 3 to 4 hours to recover. While this may not be a consideration for households with only one or two occupants, families with 3 or more people can very quickly run out of hot water during intense periods of use, such as morning or evening showering, dishwashing, or laundry when using an electric water heater. 

A minor consideration for some that set gas apart is the fact that, in many cases, a gas water heater continues to operate despite a loss of electric power to a home, which is not the case for electric water heaters. That is because a gas water heater uses a constant small flame, known as a pilot light, to ignite the gas stream to run the gas water heater. By contrast, as any gas water heater installation and replacement services personnel will tell you, electric water heaters are useless tanks when there is no electrical power. In many outback regions, mainly those prone to severe storms, etc., having a reliable water heater that works even when there is no power (which can sometimes happen and last for even days), is extremely important, and a definite advantage to gas water heaters.

GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT SERVICES – PROCESS OVERVIEW

The process used by gas water heater installation and replacement services to install a water heater will naturally vary of a job, a model of gas water heater, and other factors. It will also involve extra steps (which we’ve included below) to remove the existing gas water heater, actions that would otherwise not be necessary with new home construction when there is no existing gas water heater. In general, the process can be described as follows:

• First, the current gas water heater will be evaluated for repairs or damage, since your problem may not require a replacement gas water heater, just a minor fix. As mentioned above, most gas water heater installation and replacement services also provide repairs and will first determine if a non-functional gas water heater can be repaired, or if a new setup is the best option.
• In the event a new gas water heater is required, these service companies will usually walk consumers through the different available choices for a gas water heater replacement. Typically, you replace like for like, with gas water heater being replaced with gas, and electric water heater with electric.
• Many gas water heater installation and replacement services companies will have water heaters in stock and available from the warehouse the same day. Then, the real work can begin. This overview assumes an existing gas water heater is in place and needs to be removed before installation of the new gas water heater – if there isn’t one, they’d merely skip ahead to step 6.
• The gas water heater installation and replacement services will first shut off the gas line and water line feeding the water heater. Then, they’ll disconnect all the hoses, cords, and pipes that can be detached, and drain the remaining water out of the water tank.
• Next, any hoses or pipes that cannot be disconnected will be cut, either with a saw or a torch, so that the water heater unit can be removed entirely.
• The new gas water heater then is placed in the old water heater place.
• Sanding, cleaning, or modification to pipe and hose locations may be required.
• Next, gas water heater installation and replacement services attach the various hoses and pipes to the new unit for the gas supply.
• Then, the water supply hoses and other connectors are re-attached and opened, and water will begin to flow into the water tank.
• The discharge pipe is then attached and soldered to the safety valve, also known as the T&P valve, to prevent any pressure buildups inside the tank. 
• Once all connections made, the tank is full of water, and all safety valves and pipes have been connected and plumbed, then the gas can be restored to the unit, and water heating can begin.

CONCLUSIONS ABOUT GAS WATER HEATER INSTALLATION AND REPLACEMENT

It should be clear that the installation or replacement of a new gas water heater is a bit complex task. Gas water heater installation and replacement services are usually the best-advised options for consumers to get these things done professionally, safely, and as quickly as possible. Since many gas water heater installation companies are also providing water heater repairs, they are usually already at your home when you get the terrible news that you need a new gas water heater. Fortunately, they often can offer you a replacement and get it installed, usually very fast.