When you manage a property, it's crucial to have hot water. A non-working water heater is a serious liability as an investor, and judges won't accept excuses for unnecessary delays when it comes to lack of action to provide hot water for your tenants. While there are times when you can repair your property's commercial water heater, sometimes a repair won't cut it. Here are five signs it's time to invest in a new commercial water heater rather than make a repair.
  1. The water isn't adequately heating. Water heating accounts for approximately 18% of a property's energy use. If you've noticed that the costs of your property's water have been going up and your tenants have been complaining about inconsistent water heating, it might be time to replace your commercial water heater. Inadequate water heating is a sign that your water heater is losing functionality.
  2. The water heater is leaking. This is an issue your tenants might not notice, but you'll probably recognize the issue when you come by to do maintenance. The metal in your water heater contracts and expands when it becomes hot. The older your water heater gets, the more likely that metal will begin to crack. These cracks cause leaks. If you notice puddling when the water heater is in use, you'll want to have a new commercial water heater installed immediately.
  3. Your tenants have rusty water. The metal inside your hot water heater can rust with time, especially if the heater is on the older side. If your tenants mention that their water has a rusty flavor to it or it's red in color, that's a big sign that the rust is coming from inside your water heater.
  4. Your commercial water heater is over 10 years old. If your water heater is about 10 years old or older and it's been needing more and more repairs, it may be time to replace it altogether. Hot water heaters have a limited lifespan and the older it gets the more expensive it'll be to maintain it. If you're not sure how old your property's water heater is, check the serial number listed on the manufacturer's sticker. The number starts with a letter followed by a series of numbers. The letter indicates the month of the manufacture date. The two following numbers indicate the year.

Looking for commercial gas water heaters?

Whether you're looking for commercial gas water heaters, electric hot water heaters, or tankless water heaters, Miami Water Heater has got you covered. To learn more about our different commercial water heaters, including the Rheem RTEX 13 electric tankless water heater, contact Miami Water Heater today.