Water Heater Repair in Reno, NV
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Cold winters mean more work for your water heater
Your water heater runs October through May here, and on nights that average 23°F, the water coming in is as cold as it gets all year. The colder that water is, the longer the burner or the heating element has to run to bring a tank up to temperature, and that added runtime is what wears these parts down over the years.
Winter storms and wind are common in this area, and either can knock out power for a stretch. A gas water heater with a standing pilot keeps working through an outage since it never needed power to begin with. One with electronic ignition will sit dark until power is back, and most units then restart on their own. If yours doesn't, or if it's making noise or you're running out of hot water sooner than you used to, that's worth having looked at.
- 23°F
- the average winter night, and colder incoming water means longer heating
- 8 months
- October through May, the months homes here need heat
- 13%
- of Nevada households lost power for a day or more in 2024, and a heater with an electric element or electric ignition stops without it
NOAA nClimDiv, 1991–2020 normals
A new water heater would cut about $100 a year off hot water for a typical Nevada home.
Estimates for a typical Nevada home, compared with an older unit built to the federal minimum, from EIA household energy data and Nevada fuel prices. Your home will differ.
Repair makes sense when an element, thermostat or gas valve has failed.
Replacement makes sense when the tank itself is leaking.
- Why is my water heater leaking from the bottom?
- The tank itself has likely rusted through from the inside and is starting to fail. Sediment builds up on the bottom of the tank over years, and once it wears through the steel, the leak won't stop or seal itself. A loose drain valve or fitting can also drip and look like the same problem, so it's worth checking those first before assuming the tank is done. If the water is coming from the tank body, the unit needs to be replaced, not repaired.
- Why won't the pilot light on my water heater stay lit?
- The most common cause is a worn thermocouple, the small sensor that tells the gas valve the pilot is burning. Once it wears out, it can't confirm the flame is lit, so the gas valve shuts off the pilot as a safety measure. A dirty pilot orifice or a draft in the area can cause the same problem. A standing pilot doesn't use electricity to stay lit, so a power outage won't put it out.
- Can a tankless water heater be repaired?
- Yes, most problems with a tankless water heater are repairable. Mineral buildup on the heat exchanger is one of the most common issues, especially since it happens gradually and shows up as inconsistent water temperature. Igniter failures, sensor faults, and error codes tied to the flow sensor or venting are also things a contractor can diagnose and fix. A full replacement is usually only needed when the heat exchanger itself has cracked or corroded through.