Heating

Maximizing the lifespan of your water heater can help you avoid costly repairs. It’s essential to inspect your hot water tank for leaks and abnormalities. Flushing and draining your water heater once per year can help rid the tank of sediment and mineral buildup. Replacing the anode rod every one to five years, even if you’re not experiencing any current issues, is necessary to avoid the tank rusting out. Additionally, ensuring your water heater is sized appropriately for your home can help prevent increased demand, therefore avoiding unnecessary repairs.

Water expands when heated and also when freezing. When water is heated, it expands by around 4%. For a full water heater, this is one of the main reasons malfunctions occur—the hot water has nowhere else to go but out. Due to the constant expansion and reduction in volume, it’s recommended (required in most places) that an expansion tank be installed.

Roof heating cables will last less than the roof itself and will need to be replaced every two to 10 years. This is an extreme variance and largely depends on the climate you’re in, the type of cable installed, and the risk of physical damage to the cables. Constant preventative maintenance will help to extend their life span.

A heated driveway can last between 15 to 20 years, so long as it is properly installed and maintained correctly. Be sure to work with a pro who offers a warranty. Keep an eye out for signs of damage or aging, like snow taking extra long to melt (or not melting at all). This could mean an electrical wire has burned out and you’ll need to call a pro to come diagnose the problem.

Installing a water heater costs about $1,300 on average. The overall price ranges from as low as $880 to as high as $1,800, depending on the type of water heater and any additional plumbing work required to fit the new water heater. Other cost factors for this type of installation include the tank size, tank vs. tankless, fuel type, vent system, permits, location, and labor cost for installation.