Water Heaters Service & Replacement
What if I just need Service?
Hartford & Ratliff Co., Inc. has been servicing and installing residential and light commercial water heaters in the Metro Detroit area since 1955. Our Technicians have serviced thousands of units over the years and are familiar with most make and models. With an extensive knowledge of today’s products, a well-stocked service truck, all supported by a warehouse stocking thousands of parts, your unit can be repaired quickly and efficiently in the most cases. Our Technicians have been trained and instructed to provide you with a diagnosis of the problem, a proposal detailing the work to be performed and any recommendations prior to commencing with work.
In the event that your water heater is ready for replacement, whether it be gas or electric, we work with all make and models and can make a recommendation based on our observations of what product will best suite your performance and reliability needs.
Call Now for Service or Replacement
What Type of Water Heater do I need?
When selecting the best type and model of water heater for your home, consider the following:
Fuel type, availability and cost. The fuel type or energy source you use for water heating will not only affect the water heater's annual operation costs but also its size and energy efficiency. See below for more on selecting fuel types.
Size. To provide your household with enough hot water and to maximize efficiency, you need a properly sized water heater. Visit the pages on different types of water heaters for more on sizing.
Energy efficiency. To maximize your energy and cost savings, you want to know how energy efficient a water heater is before you purchase it. Visit the pages on different types of water heaters for more on estimating energy efficiency.
Costs. Before you purchase a water heater, it's also a good idea to estimate its annual operating costs and com- pare those costs with other less or more energy-efficient models. Visit the pages on different types of water heaters for more on estimating costs.
What are the fuel choices??
When selecting a new water heater, it's important to consider what fuel type or energy source you will use, including its availability and cost. The fuel used by a water heating system will not only affect annual operation costs but also the water heater's size and energy efficiency.
Fuel type and its availability in your area may narrow your water heater choices. The following is a list of water heater options by fuel or energy source:
Electricity Widely available in the United States to fuel conventional storage, tankless or demand-type, and heat pump water heaters. It also can be used with combination water and space heating systems, which include tankless coil and indirect water heaters.
Fuel oil Available in some areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage water heaters, and indirect combination water and space heating systems. Rarely used in the Metro Detroit area.
Geothermal energy Available throughout the United States to those who will have or already have a geothermal heat pump system installed in their homes for space heating and cooling. Initial expense can be high and you need space for the piping around your home. Best for area with large lots or acreage.
Heat Pump Water Heaters These are popular in warmer climates where the heater may be in a garage. Not practical for the typical basement application.
Natural gas Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as combination water and space heating systems, which include tankless coil and indirect water heaters. With natural gas available in almost all areas of the Metro Detroit area this is usually the best choice for a homeowner.
Propane Available in many areas of the United States to fuel conventional storage and demand (tankless or instantaneous) water heaters, as well as indirect combination water and space heating systems. An option if natural gas is not available.
Solar energy Available throughout the United States -- most abundantly in the Southwest -- for solar water heaters.
Which is the cheapest to operate?
If you have more than one fuel type available in your area, it's a good idea to compare fuel costs, especially if you're building a new home. Even if you're replacing a water heater, you may find that you'll save more money in the long run if you use a different fuel or energy source. Contact us to help you make a wise fuel choice. The type of water heater you choose will also affect your water heating costs. One type of water heater may use a fuel type more efficiently than another type of water heater. For example, an electric heat pump water heater typically is more energy efficient than an electric conventional storage water heater. Also, an electric heat pump water heater might have lower energy costs because of its higher efficiency than a gas-fired conventional storage water heater, even though local natural gas costs might be lower than the electricity rates.
TYPES OF WATER HEATERS
What is the difference between STANDARD and HIGH EFFICIENCY water heaters?
There are many factors that go into determining the efficiency of a water heater. Most commonly, the term efficiency is used to show how efficient a water heater is in transferring the heat from its fuel source to the water it is trying to heat. This is known as “thermal efficiency” or, on a broader scale, AFUE which stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.” In addition to thermal efficiency, there are factors such as the amount of insulation that can effect a heaters overall efficiency rating. Many energy companies will offer incentives, in the form of mail-in rebates, for consumers who are considering high efficient options.
Will a TANKLESS style water heater work in my home?
Tankless water heaters were developed overseas and are generally used in a “point of use” application. When the technology came to the states, because our homes were designed with a central hot water heater source, the technology had to be changed to adapt to our water heating methods. As such, these units are limited in hot water production by the amount of water flow. Typically, an averagely sized tankless will provide 5 ½ gallons of hot water, per minute, at a 70° temperature rise. For most consumers this will suffice however, in situations where there is a high demand for hot water, a storage tank or conventional water heater may be the better choice. As a rule, tankless water heaters are significantly more efficient than their conventional counter-parts and, because they are wall hung, have a smaller footprint saving you floor space.
What is a THERMAL EXPANSION TANK and do I need one?
When water is heated, there is a great deal of expansion that results in increased pressure. Think of a pot of boiling water sitting on your stove with a lid on it. If you do not remove the lid, and relieve the pressure, the lid will begin to rattle and shake allowing steam vapor to escape. If you were to force the lid closed, without a way to relieve pressure, it would ultimately explode. The same holds true in our water heating systems where pressures can rise beyond the capabilities of the water heater or plumbing system. In addition, pressure fluctuations can cause “hammering” in the plumbing system which, if left unattended, could damage plumbing and fixtures. While the water is protected by a pressure relief valve, set to 150 pounds, it is still recommended to add an expansion tank to prevent a relief valve event and subsequent damage.
For homes that have excessive incoming water pressure of >75 pounds, are outfitted with a pressure reducing valve or backflow preventer, an expansion tank is required by code. For homeowners that travel often and leave their home unattended for long periods of time (days), an expansion tank is highly recommended.
A thermal expansion tank is a pressurized tank that is installed in your cold water line – typically near or on your water heater. The tank contains a pressurized bladder. As water expands, it pushes against this bladder giving the increased volume a place to go, preventing rapid pressure increases due to thermal expansion.
Expansion tanks are currently recommended by all major water heater manufacturers. In fact, expansion tanks are required by state code if your system is closed in most of the states where we work. Local enforcement of this code varies from city to city.
Do you sell “QUICK RECOVERY” or “HIGH INPUT” water heaters?
Most manufacturers offer both gas and electric “quick recovery” models. These units will have a higher BTU rating which improves recovery time. The higher the BTU rating, the quicker the unit will recover. It takes 8.33 BTU to raise the temperature of 1 gallon of water 1 degree.
What are my WARRANTY OPTIONS on the water heaters you sell?
Most manufactures offer a standard 6 year limited “parts” warranty which includes the inner tank should it rupture within that time frame. Extended 9 & 12 year warranties are available, at an additional expense, and will require the installation of additional anode rods.
When Hartford & Ratliff Co., Inc installs your water heater, we fully support the manufacturer’s warranty and provide an additional 1 year labor warranty against manufacture defects. We are authorized warranty representatives for all water heater manufacturers.
How can I tell how old my water heater is?
Unfortunately, not all manufacturers use the same serialization processes so there isn’t a “one size fits all” decoder. You can find most serial numbers by doing a simple Google search or, give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
How much hot water will a Gas water heater produce per hour? Electric?
Your hot water tank’s per hour hot water production depends on your groundwater temperature and the temperature degree rise that you require. A good rule of thumb is that a standard residential gas water heater will produce approximately 35-45 gallons per hour (GPH) of hot water. High Input gas models will provide about 50-60 GPH. Electric water heaters with 4500-watt elements heats approximately 18-25 GPH.
Do I have a faulty dip tube? What if I am getting small flakes or particles in my water?
Your water heater’s dip tube is a plastic tube that sends the incoming cold water to the bottom of the tank to prevent it from mixing with the hot water going to your faucets. This helps the tank heat more efficiently and promotes energy efficiency. There was a period of time when dip tubes were defective (in particular for water heaters manufactured between 1993-1997).
Faulty dip tubes disintegrate slowly, and the particles and chunks clog up faucets, aerators and other plumbing fixtures.
If you experience this problem, we recommend that you replace your water heater tank as it can be very difficult to remove the disintegrated particles from the old tank and they can continue to clog up your plumbing fixtures.
Why does it take so long to get hot water to my faucets?
The time it takes to get hot water from the water heater to the faucet depends on the distance the hot water must travel in the pipes. If you have a faucet that is more than 20 feet from the water heater, you may need to run water more than 20 seconds before it comes out hot.
This can be frustrating for a home owner and also wastes water.
To solve this problem, some homes have a built in re-circulation system which circulates hot water through the hot water pipes and back to the water heater. With a re-circulation system, you have hot water instantly when you open a faucet. If you do not have a system recirculation line installed, there are many options that can be installed into an existing system to alleviate this problem. Call us today for options.
Explain the new F.V.I.R technology for gas water heaters
Prior to 2003, most gas water heaters had an open combustion chamber which allowed the owner to relight the pilot with a match. This presented a danger as hot water heaters in areas where other combustibles such as gasoline or propane caused spontaneous combustion and were a both a risk to your home and safety.
Residential water heaters manufactured after 2003 are “F.V.I.R.” (Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant) compliant. For the most part, this means that the combustion chamber is now sealed. In order to light the water heater, you must use the pilot mechanism and you can no longer use a match.
Due to this change, new water heaters are significantly safer than water heaters manufactured before 2003.
I have NO HOT WATER – what should I do?
If you have a gas water heater, check to see if your pilot light has gone out. If so, try relighting the pilot, or call 248-471-3110 and one of our water heater experts would be happy to walk you through the process.
If you have an electric water heater, try resetting the unit or checking to see if your breaker switch has been flipped to the off position; you can also turn the breaker switch off and then on. If you need help determining what is wrong with your water heater and why you’re not getting any hot water, give us a call!
There is a small PUDDLE OF WATER at the base of the tank. Should I be concerned?
Try to determine where the leak is coming from. If it looks like it’s coming from the bottom of the tank, and not from anywhere on top, it could mean that your water heater lining has been compromised. Unfortunately, this isn’t an issue you can repair, so you may need to think about replacing your water heater. While some homeowners will let a tank leak slowly for several days to weeks or months before they replace the water heater, we advise taking care of the problem before it develops into a more significant leak.
Sometimes I hear a RUMBLING NOISE OR A LOUD BANG. What is going on?
What you’re hearing is a result of thermal expansion. Due to sediment that often settles at the bottom of your tank, heat has more difficulty leaving the bottom of the water heater. These sounds shouldn’t immediately concern you, but it does mean that the water heater is probably working harder than it should, which could shorten the life of the tank, and will definitely lead to a less efficient tank that costs more to operate.
I have HIGH WATER PRESSURE in my home. How does this affect my water heater?
High water pressure can damage water heaters, piping, and appliances. If the water pressure entering your home is above 75 psi, you should consider installing a pressure reducing valve to limit the incoming pressure. High water pressure is an unexpected but common culprit in reducing the useful life of your water heater.
There is RUST at the bottom of my tank. What should I do about this?
Rust on the outside of your tank is often just an indication of an old water heater. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the inside lining of your water heater is compromised, but you might want to have it looked at. If it’s more than 15 years old, replacing your water heater can be a preventative measure to save you from a very messy (or wet) situation.
Do I need a BLANKET on my water heater?
Homeowners and installers used to install blankets on water heaters to provide an extra layer of insulation, allowing the water heater to retain heat and operate more efficiently. These days, manufacturers are building extra insulation into the tank itself, so blankets are no longer recommended.
My water SMELLS BAD. Should I be concerned?
Whether you realize it or not, a water heater is a storage vessel containing hot water. If your water is low on chlorine or if you have a high sulfate concentration, it is the perfect environment for sulfate-reducing bacteria. These bacteria, while harmless to humans, can cause an offensive “rotten egg smelling” odor when they are digesting the sulfates in your water. This is called hydrogen sulfide gas or, as it more commonly called, sewer gas. In addition to the foul odor, it can also be accompanied by an off, pale yellow, color. The only way to get rid your system of the bacteria is to completely flush the tank and entire hot water plumbing network. In most cases, adding a small amount of white vinegar to the tank before refilling will rid your system of the bacteria. It is important to pull the vinegar to every hot water faucet and let it sit as the bacteria is prolific and will survive the process if it is not completed properly. In more severe cases, bleach may have to be used to quickly and effectively kill the unwanted pest. Just be certain to flush completely before restoring the water heater to operation. If this process is beyond your capabilities, a Hartford & Ratliff technician can get it done for you quickly and easily; just give us call to schedule an appointment.
How can I SAVE ENERGY with my water heater?
Shutting off your water heater when you go away and taking shorter showers is the best way to save money and energy with regards to your water heater. Remember, you pay to heat the water you use in your shower, your dishwasher, and your laundry machine. Replacing an old, inefficient water heater with a new Energy Star tank or tankless water heater can help save up to $100 per year on the typical home’s water heating costs.
Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, and Livingston Counties in the Metro Detroit Area