A water heater should be installed in accordance with local building codes in order to ensure the water heater last as long as possible. Many cities such as Overland Park, require expansion tanks to be installed on all closed loop systems.
We believe that Bradford White makes the best water heaters on the market. A convention 40 gallon water heater is the most economical way to product hot water. Tankless units take up less space and consume less energy, however the installation cost is generally 3.5 x greater.
When installing a new water heater we will usually install a thermal expansion tank. It’s important to understand that water expands when being heated. A closed loop plumbing system will only allow water to come into the house. An expansion tank is designed to alleviate this build up of pressure. Changes in a cities infrastructure can create problems that did not previously exist. In many areas around Kansas City, check valves have been installed on water main’s that can force a water surge into your home. Your house may also be equipped with a PRV or Pressure Reducing Valve in order to deal with surges in water pressure. When installing a water heater, our plumbers will also check the incoming water pressure of your house. Excessive water pressure can cause a water heater to fail prematurely. If this type of problem is ignored, you could be replacing your new water heater after only a few months of use. It never pays to take shortcuts and installing a new water heater is no different.
A water heater in Overland Park must be installed with an expansion tank if your home has a Pressure Reducing Valve on the incoming water line.