When it comes to plumbing systems and water heaters, your customers are counting on you to be the expert. As an expert installer or technician, you’re well equipped to educate them on how to properly care for their water heater, recognizing when it might be time for a change.
Let’s break down everything you need to know and share with your residential customers when it comes to keeping an eye on water heaters and plumbing systems.
Know the plumbing system’s life span and warning signs.
Customers in a soft-water market can typically expect their water heater to have a longer life vs. customers living in a hard-water market. However, routine maintenance is universally recommended and can increase a system’s life span by as much as 12 to 15 years. It’s worth letting your customers know that many water heaters have base warranties that cover the first six years, while GE Appliances’ base warranties cover the first eight years.
It’s also important to inform your customers about certain factors that can contribute to plumbing system degradation. Here are some of the most common warning signs you might see when doing an inspection:
- Rust-colored water can be a sign that the water heater's tank may be starting to fail.
- An eroded anode rod may mean the water heater hasn’t been inspected recently, even in a soft-water market.
- For electric water heaters, failing heating elements or calcium buildup could be trouble.
If you see these signs during an inspection or customers contact you to report them, a partial or complete system replacement may be needed, depending on severity.
Take preventive measures to maintain plumbing systems.
Whether you’ve just replaced a water heater or saved a customer from a close call, sharing preventive measures and tips is an excellent way to build a relationship and potentially win business for a lifetime. Here are some quick tips you can share with customers:
- Drain and flush the water heater on an annual basis.
- Check the tank’s anode rod annually for degradation.
- Let you (the installer) know of any hard-water conditions.
Don’t just select a product — select a partner.
When the time comes for water heater system replacement, GE Appliances Air & Water Solutions can make a difference for your customers. Along with the previously mentioned longer warranties, our RealMAX® systems offer true capacity and high performance, holding roughly 10% more hot water for electric water heaters and 5% more for gas models.* Together the true capacity and high performance delivers up to 20% more usable hot water in electric water heaters and up to 10% more usable hot water in gas water heaters.** This means more hot showers, dishwasher cycles, laundry loads and more for your customers.
We stand behind our products with these warranties and features, because we want you to have a strong relationship with the homeowners you service. For more information on water heaters, contact our expert team.
*Compared to other electric steel tank water heaters per DOE rated gallon capacity
**Compared to other electric steel tank water heaters using average DOE First Hour Rating. Results vary based on tank size.