Most Delaware, Maryland and Pennsylvania homeowners don't realize when their water heater is ready to fail. But waiting too long to replace it can result in disastrous and expensive flood damage to your home and possessions.

Here are five signs to look for to prevent an imminent water heater disaster.

1. Its age. The typical lifespan of a water heater serving a family of four is about seven to ten years. The more you use it, the shorter its life. If you're not certain of its age, check your water heater's serial number. It should include the year the unit was manufactured. If you're not sure, call us with the brand and serial number, and we'll help you determine its age.
2. The consistency of heating. If you are experiencing inconsistent hot water, or if you're unable to maintain a constant temperature, your unit is likely nearing the end of its life. 
3. Signs of leaks. Periodically check the floor under your unit for moisture. Older units often develop slow leaks that will worsen over time. 
4. Noises. As your water heater ages, sediment will build up and harden on the inside. You'll start to hear pops, rumbling or banging. These can cause cracks in the liner.
5. A change in the color of your hot water. Such changes could mean your unit is rusting from the inside. If you suspect rust (or sediment), you can check by carefully draining water directly from your unit.

IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR WATER HEATER MAY BE NEARING THE END OF IT'S LIFE, call us at 866-PERKOSKI (866-737-5675) to schedule a FREE no-pressure consultation.

If we determine that your tank is nearing failure, we'll show you your replacement options. If we determine that your tank is still sound, we offer some steps that will as much as DOUBLE your water heater's remaining life.

1. By draining your tank, we will remove much of the sediment that can lead to liner damage.
2. We'll also pull and inspect your water heater's anode rod. If it's nearing depletion, we'll recommend replacing it. The "sacrificial" anode rod is the single most important part preventing rusting of your hot water tank. Here's how it works:

Over time, tiny cracks will develop in your water heater's glass liner exposing the steel to corrosive elements. The anode rod is made up of a more reactive metal. When the tank is filled with water, an electrolyte process begins whereby the sacrifical rod is consumed to protect the exposed steel of the tank. As long as this more reactive material lasts, the steel will not rust. When it's depleted, the tank corrosion. A new anode rod will add years of service to your aging unit. NOTE: The anode rod inspection is FREE with your consultation as it is with your annual heating/cooling maintenence service.

Call us at 866-PERKOSKI (866-737-5675), or schedule online.

Some Important Advice to Delaware, Pennsylvania and Maryland Property Owners with Older ACs.

Prices for R-22 refrigerant (aka Freon) have risen sharply over the past few years. Here's why: A little over 25 years ago, the EPA ordered the gradual phasing out of R-22 as part of the international treaty (the "Montreal Protocol") aimed a reversing the thinning of the Earth's critical ozone layer. This thinning is responsible for dramatic increases in skin cancer and cataracts. 

The good news: Recent M.I.T. research confirms the fact that the notorious "hole" in the ozone layer has indeed begun to heal. 

The bad news: Air conditioner repair costs for older units will continue to soar as a result of the spiraling costs and increasing shortage of the R-22 refrigerant.

The 1990 Clean Air Act ended production in 2010 for new air conditioning units "charged" with R-22. Production of the refrigerant itself was immediately reduced by 75%. By 2014, that reduction had reached 90%. Now the pace of reduction has picked up. As of January 1, 2014, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered an immediate drop from 51 million pounds to 22 million pounds, then to 18 in 2016, 13 in 2017, 9 in 2019, and finally zero U.S. production in 2020.

Although some R-22 is still being recovered and reclaimed from units we replace, the amounts are not nearly enough to meet demand. The resulting shortages have led to dramatic price increases. By 2016, the price for the R-22 refrigerant has more than quadrupled over it's 2010 level. By contrast, the price of the environmentally-friendly R-410A refrigerant that is used in today's air conditioners is currently at the same level Freon was in 2010.

Owners of older air conditioners need to take action now to protect themselves from these spiraling repair costs. (Unfortunately, you cannot replace R-22 with the R-410A refrigerant. The engineering requirements of the compressors is completely different.) Here then are Stan's recommendations:

1. Service your equipment every season. (ACs once and heat pumps twice a year). Although your air conditioner is a closed system, leaks do occur. Always a good idea for maximum comfort and efficiency, our precision tune-up will detect leaks early preventing expensive re-charges not to mention damage to the environment.
2. Schedule a no-pressure no-obligation consultation. Your Stan Perkoski's professional will help you select the right replacement for your goals and for your budget. You'll learn just what you can expect in savings with today's high efficiency environmentally-friendly replacements. You'll now just how soon you can expect your new system to pay for itself, what impact today's higher efficiencies will have on your electric bills, and what you may gain in family comfort.

We will collect the refrigerant from your old unit and send it to a recycler. Unfortunately some disreputable contractors will release these harmful chemical into the environment.

Call 866-PERKOSKI (866-737-5675) to schedule your maintenance service and/or no-pressure consultation.