Discolored or brown hot water can indicate rust or mineral buildup inside the water heater. Rusting may suggest a failing tank requiring replacement. Call Pipecraft Plumbing, consult a licensed plumber to flush the tank, and evaluate the need to replace the water heater depending on the severity of the discoloration.

Traditional tank water heaters tend to be more affordable and provide a constant hot water supply, but they can be limited to the volume of water they heat and the demand they can deliver. Tank-type water heater energy efficiency varies dramatically between standard and high-efficiency gas, electric, and heat pump models. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand (instant hot water) and are more energy efficient. The upfront installation cost of a tankless water heater is usually higher than a traditional tank, but tankless water heaters are known to last 2-3 times as long as a conventional water heater and are more energy efficient; in the long run, tankless water heaters are the most cost-effective choice. When selecting a tankless water heater, consider the hot water demands of the home or business when choosing the suitable model (BTU capacity). When installing a new hot water heater, consider hot water use, energy source, elevation, installation location, maintenance, and the system’s lifespan. Call Pipecraft Plumbing for a free estimate, and we’ll review all your options for a water heater that offers the performance you need and the budget you’ve allocated.

Hybrid electric water heaters combine heating elements with heat pump technology. Heat pumps act like refrigerators in reverse, capturing heat from the surrounding air and using it to warm water in the tank, resulting in significantly lower energy use than traditional electric resistance technology. The term “hybrid” comes from their ability to draw energy from multiple sources in a single appliance: fully electric, full heat pump, vacation mode, and a blend of electric when there’s high demand and heat pump at times of lower demand. They’re super smart! These modes allow them to optimize efficiency based on your hot water needs and energy costs. While the initial cost of the hybrid electric water heater might be higher, lower energy bills and a longer lifespan than traditional tanks make it the more affordable choice in the long run. Call Pipecraft Plumbing, and we’ll work with you to evaluate your options and recommend equipment that meets your needs and budget.

Tankless water heaters are excellent options for household or business applications. In Colorado, working with a licensed plumber who understands gas and electrical requirements and settings that need to be adjusted for altitude is essential. Some popular and reliable tankless water heater brands include Navien, Bradford White, Rinnai, AO Smith, Bosch, and Noritz. Pipecraft Plumbing has installed, maintained, and repaired all brands of tankless water heaters. Eternal tankless water heaters closed their doors years ago, leaving Eternal owners without help or parts to support their systems. Pipecraft has installed, repaired, maintained, and replaced Eternal tankless water heaters. If your Eternal water heater isn’t working, call us, and we’ll advise you on the health of your system and review the solutions and options available for maintenance, repair, or replacement.

Popular gas and electric tank-type water heater brands include Bradford White, AO Smith, State, Rheem, and Ruud. Pipecraft Plumbing has installed and repaired all brands of water heaters, as well as older, hard-to-find, or builder brands like GE, Kenmore, Whirlpool, American Standard, and more. We have installed thousands of water heaters and consider the big picture when it comes time to recommend a new water heater: our experience with the manufacturer, the latest technology, the number of users, location, inlets and outlets, energy efficiency, warranty, support, parts availability, lifespan, retrofit requirements, code upgrades, how many years you plan to remain in the home, and your budget.

Cloudy, hot water may be caused by air bubbles trapped in the tank. Running hot water for a few minutes can sometimes clear the air bubbles. If the cloudiness persists, call Pipecraft Plumbing to investigate further.

A leaking water heater can be a serious issue and needs to be addressed promptly. Turn off the water supply to the water heater and call Pipecraft Plumbing. Even tiny pinhole leaks can lead to severe water damage, mold growth, and wasted water. Water damage is the number two homeowner insurance claim; let’s avoid that.

Gas water heaters are generally more energy-efficient in Colorado than electric water heaters. However, with gas prices increasing and rebates and tax incentives for purchasing new efficient electric water heaters, it’s worth learning about equipment specifications and considering all your options, such as incentive eligibility, retrofit, lifespan, demand, installation location, and energy source availability. Call Pipecraft Plumbing, and we’ll send a licensed plumber out for a free estimate to discuss which water heater options are right for you.

The cost of a water heater varies as much as the cost of any new appliance or major purchase. The end price of replacing your water heater will depend on the type of system, the retrofit required for installation, any code upgrades, and the system’s size based on the hot water demand. Call Pipecraft Plumbing; we’ll send a licensed plumber to your home or business to evaluate your current water heater and offer recommendations on replacement water heaters that meet your hot water needs, energy preference, installation location, and budget.

Elevation above 2,000 feet can affect your water heater’s performance. The thinner air at higher altitudes (Denver, 5,280 feet) (Genesee/Lookout Mountain/Evergreen, 7,500 feet) means less oxygen for gas burners, reducing a water heater’s performance and energy efficiency. Less oxygen means a water heater takes longer to heat water or requires a higher BTU capacity to deliver the same sea-level performance. For instance, a 199k BTU tankless water heater might only handle two showers and a dishwasher in Denver, while 199k BTU will handle six showers simultaneously at sea level! Call Pipecraft Plumbing if your water heater isn’t performing well; we’ll investigate what’s going on and advise on the next steps, which might be adjusting settings or performing routine maintenance.

Hard water can lead to mineral buildup in the tank of a water heater or inside the heat exchanger of a tankless water heater. The mineral buildup reduces the efficiency and lifespan of water heaters. If you have hard water, consider installing a water softener or a water filtration system or have your water heater flushed regularly. If you’ve noticed that there is not as much hot water available as when your water heater was new, it’s possible that scale has built up inside your water heater and is robbing you of precious stored water volume. Sometimes, you can hear the scale buildup inside a tank water heater like ‘pings and pops.’ In tankless water heaters, the scale builds up inside the heat exchanger, reducing the water flow through the system, preventing water from heating, and stressing the system to run harder than needed. Call Pipecraft Plumbing if your water heater isn’t performing well; we’ll investigate what’s going on and advise on the next steps to optimize your water heater’s performance.