FAQ

We install AO Smith and Bradford White water heaters for tank-style units. AO Smith is headquartered in the Nashville area. Both Bradford White and AO Smith make their water heaters in the USA. The water heaters we install are not your big box store quality water heaters. They are the best quality tanks you can get. For tankless water heaters, we install Navien. In our opinion, these are the best tankless water heaters you can get!

• Delivery of the new hot water heater.
• Installation of new unit
• Fill & test
• Removal & Disposal of old unit
• A spotless clean-up
• Instructions on using your new unit

There are a couple things to look for to know what kind of hot water heater you currently have.

Gas – Is there a black or a flexible yellow or silver pipe going into the bottom of your hot water heater? If so you have a gas water heater. If there is a large PVC or Metal vent pipe coming from the top of your water heater you likely have a gas water heater. This vent pipe is used to force the exhaust created by the gas out of your home.

Electric – Electric heaters do not need the vent pipe from the top because there is no exhaust. If there is a large electrical wire (could look similar to an extension cord or small grey garden hose) going into the top of your heater this indicates you have an electric water heater.

For gas tank style heaters there are three common ways to vent the exhaust from your water heater.

Atmospheric Venting is the the most common venting system. You'll know it is atmospheric if the vent pipe goes through the ceiling and the vent pipe has a little space between the top of the water heater and the venting.

Direct Venting is commonly used to vent directly outside the space the the water heater is in and connects directly to your water heater with no space in between the top of the heater and the vent pipe. So the vent does a 90 degree turn directly outside the wall. If you have a direct vent water heater currently typically you have to replace with the same water heater. Below is an image of a direct vent model:

Power venting is common when you have to vent the exhaust a long horizontal distance. Power vents have a motor attached to assist the exhaust.

It is easiest and most cost effective to replace your current water heater with a like fuel type water heater.

Gas Water Heaters

• Lifespan is around 12 years
• 60-70% energy efficiency
• Cost of 12-year span $4,979
• Price of unit without installation $450 - $1,500

Electric Water Heater

• Lifespan is around 12 years
• 90% efficiency
• Cost of 12-year span is $6,248
• Price of unit without installation $400 - $2,880

The average cost of repair is $483. If a critical part is broken there is high likelihood another part will soon fail. If your water heater is over 10 years old and out of warranty it is best to replace your water heater

The average cost to replace (for the US) is $1,500 for 40 gallons and $1,800 for 50 gallons.

With the average repair cost being half of the cost to replace, you’re probably better off replacing it.

Cost to install

• Tankless = Avg $3,000 - $5,000
• Tank = Avg $948 - $1,937

Tank

• Cost can be more than half of a tankless water heater
• Installation time is faster (Less than 2 hours) than tankless
• Lifespan is around 12 years
• Less maintenance than tankless

Tankless

• Installation is expensive and often requires upgrades in other areas of your home
• Long installation, as much as 10 hours
• A common myth is that you’ll have instant hot water. The hot water will still have to travel through your pipes to reach the shower or sink. A recirculator would also need to be installed for instant hot water. A recirculator could also be installed on a tank heater.
• Lifespan is around 20 years
• Could save you on your hot water heater cost annually.

Practically endless hot water (though a larger tank heater could solve this too).

We recommend you have one installed if you do not currently have one. Expansion tanks protect much of your plumbing system, like dishwasher valves and toilet valves. That’s why we charge so little for the installation.

Current building codes for new construction for the Nashville area requires an expansion tank be installed. Additionally, the manufacturers for the water heaters we install highly recommend expansion tanks if your home does not have one. Water expands when heated, and the water must have a place to go, or thermal expansion will cause an increase in pressure in your water lines. The Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 requires a back-flow preventer and check valves to restrict water flow back into public water systems. Now, virtually all plumbing systems are 'closed,' and the thermal expansion tank allows excess pressure to be safely absorbed.

A two-gallon expansion tank is suitable for a water heater up to 50 gallons and a five-gallon expansion tank is best for anything larger.

There are 4 major manufactures of water heaters in the US:

• American Water Heater Group
• Bradford White
• Rheem
• A.O. Smith/State Industries

These four brands provide a high-quality product, all have relatively the same warranty, and you will find the same percentage of problems across the board.

Other brands like Whirlpool or Kenmore use one of the above brands and put their name on it.

We carry multiple brands of hot water heaters but mostly install A.O. Smith because they are locally manufactured right here in the Nashville area! These A.O. Smith hot water heaters are a step above the ones box stores carries. The heater we stock comes straight from the factory here in Nashville and includes higher quality parts.

My water heater is leaking!

• Unfortunately, this is a common problem and typically means your water heater needs replacing. If the water is coming from a pipe connected to the water heater or from the pressure relief valve a repair may be possible. If your water heater is over 10 years old a replacement is the most likely solution.

I don’t have any hot water!

• If your water heater is fueled by gas check for a little blue flame at the bottom of your water heater. There is a little window you can look through. If there is no blue flame this could be a simple fix. Follow the directions on your water heater to relight the pilot or call us and we can do it. A bigger repair may be needed and if your water heater is over 10 years old it could be time for a replacement. We can discuss these options with you.
• If your water heater is electric, first check your circuit breaker to see if it is tripped. If this is the case it could be a one-off instance or could be the sign of an underlying problem that needs correcting. If the circuit is not tripped, you likely have a heating element or thermostat that has gone bad. Call us and we can discuss your options on a repair or replacement.

I don’t have enough hot water!

• Many water heaters that are over 10 years old may have excessive sediment buildup causing the unit to not heat properly. 
• The gas control valve or heating elements may not be working properly. 
• If your unit is too small it can’t make hot water fast enough.
• If your water heater is old a new unit can dramatically increase your hot water output. An upgrade to a larger unit could also be a solution. Depending on your hot water usage needs a tankless model could solve your problem. Call us and we can discuss your options.

My water is not very hot!

• Sometimes the dip tube that carries the cold water to the bottom the tank has broken. It is possible to fix but can be time consuming depending on how your water heater is attached to the plumbing. 
• It could also be a bad heating element for electric heaters or a gas control valve for gas water heaters. If you’re water heater is older than 10 years it is experiencing heavy corrosion and aging seals. A fix is possible, but it might only be a temporary fix. 

My water heater is noisy!

• Unfortunately, that probably means your water heater has excessive sediment buildup. The sediment traps water underneath it at the bottom of the tank, the water heats up and bubbles until—BANG—it escapes the sediment layer. This often sounds like a percolating coffee maker. It’s likely time for a new water heater.
• If the noise is a whistling sound it could be your drain valve has a leak or there is air trapped somewhere. Try tightening the valve at the bottom of your heater. If it is tight it could be the seal wearing out.

My pilot light will not stay lit.

• There are a couple reasons this could be happening, likely related to your thermocouple or thermostatic control valve.
• First, check that your other gas appliances are working properly. This is to make sure it’s not your gas supply. 
• Either the thermocouple or thermostatic control valve are malfunctioning. They shut off your gas because they can’t regulate temperature. A thermocouple is a pretty quick fix and cost effective. If it’s the control valve we have to replace the whole assembly. This is not very cost effective and unless your heater is under warranty it could be best to replace the whole unit. Call us to discuss your options.