Hot showers are no longer a luxury; for many Australians, they are a convenient necessity. Warm baths have been found to have more calming effects than physical exercise; therefore, your enjoyment of searing hot showers after a long day of work is perfectly justified. However, it isn't uncommon for hot water systems to start malfunctioning with time or perform poorly compared to how they initially did. You might suspect a problem with your water system if you've had to deal with lukewarm water, experienced rust in the water, or have observed a spike in your energy bill. Here are some common signs your hot water system may be damaged beyond redemption and it may be time to invest in a new one.  

Your Water Is Rusty

Rusty water can be a sign of an old water system having corroded from the inside. Corrosion often leads to cracks and breakage, which can cause leaks. To avoid moisture damaging your entire installation, you will need a swift diagnosis of the problem.

First, you will need to fill up several tanks of water to ensure the problem isn't caused by a momentary water supply issue. If your hot water system is to blame for the rust in the water, it will only be present in heated water. Rust can be tackled by putting magnesium or aluminium in your water; however, this will not prevent your heater's metal from decaying further.  

Bill Increases And Hot Water Shortages

A sign of an aged system is often a loss of hot-water storing and producing capacity. The build-up of sediment (which often occurs as a hot water system ages) in the heater will create a non-conductive layer between your water and the heat sources. This will make it harder on your energy consumption to get hot water.  

If you have a continuous hot water system, your heater will detect this anomaly and compensate by constantly re-heating the water. However, the nature of the problem will not only render this tactic ineffective, but it will also increase your energy consumption, leading to an increase in your billing. A frequent sign of sediment build-up is the rumbling of the unit when switched on.

A Final Note

If your hot water system has been functioning poorly lately, there may be little to be done to repair it. Fortunately, an array of replacement options are available, and technology has greatly improved the sustainability, efficiency and lifespan of these systems. If you're thinking of switching to a low-consuming system, consider gas water-heating systems.

Contact a hot water service provider to learn more.