Why did my water heater freeze and burst during the winter storm and blackout in Texas?
Donna Salyer, owner of Texas Water Heaters, has answered this question more times than she can count since temperatures dropped and the power was turned off last week.
“If you lose electricity and water, drain the pipes completely so they don’t freeze,” Salyer said. “When the water ran out, people stopped running their taps. So it stayed in her tank, frozen and broken. And that’s why they are now replacing their tanks. “
Salyer’s family has owned Texas Water Heaters since 1970. It is located in Pflugerville and serves the Austin area. Her phone has been ringing for the past few days, but she wishes more customers called before the storm.
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“I had a customer call before the storm and asked what to do,” Salyer said. “He just called back (Thursday) to say thank you. His water heater was in front of his house during the storm and is now working great. “
But Austin residents can’t turn back the clock to save their water heaters.
So what should you know in the event of a re-freeze and power failure? Here are some tips:
Any water heater can freeze if water is left in it
There are several types of water heaters, including less popular models such as hybrid heat pumps, solar and condensation heaters. But the two types that most people have are traditional water heaters and instantaneous water heaters.
Tank water heaters typically hold between 40 and 55 gallons and may require electricity. If the power fails at freezing temperatures, the water can eventually freeze, expand and burst the storage tank.
Instantaneous water heaters, also known as on-demand devices, don’t store a lot of water. They use heating coils to heat the water that flows through the device when needed. But any water that remains in the pipes and appliance after its last use can still freeze and burst the water heater.
So if the power and water supply fail, flush the pipes by running the rest of the water through the faucet. To save the water, store as much as you can instead of letting it go down the drain.
Will water heaters work during a power outage?
Tank water heaters turn off in the event of a power failure, as do electric tankless water heaters.
Some water heaters run on natural gas or propane, which allows them to produce a lot more hot water when needed. But these devices also have an electric ignition and a thermostat so that they do not heat water in the event of a power failure.
According to HomeInspectionInsider.com, two solutions are a portable generator or an emergency power supply to temporarily power a water heater. However, follow the safety guidelines for such devices.
Which water heater should I buy now?
It’s too little too late to save many Texans’ water heaters. However, consumers should know the advantages and disadvantages of each model.
Tank water heaters are cheaper. According to HomeAdvisor.com, new water heaters cost between $ 550 and $ 2,200, including equipment and installation. New water heaters cost between $ 650 and $ 4,000, including equipment and installation.
The cost can vary. In general, however, instant water heaters cost around twice as much and can be a drain on the budget at the front end. Replacement devices of both types are cheaper.
According to Salyer, more and more customers are turning to instantaneous water heaters, especially natural gas or propane, because they are efficient. Much of the higher costs are recovered because electricity is not used all the time, as is the case with water heaters.
“I have a (petroleum) tankless (water heater) and could fill a swimming pool with hot water. But an electric tankless can only run one hot shower at a time, ”said Salyer. “The Austin people switched to tankless because it saves so much energy.”
Reach Adam Sparks at [email protected] and on Twitter @AdamSparks.
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