A warm bubble bath, a cozy cup of cocoa, and a load of fresh laundry. What do all these images have in common? They all rely on having a steady source of hot running water. Without a reliable water heater, however, the power to perform such everyday tasks instantly becomes an issue. No one wants to feel their fingers go numb on account of washing them in icy water. However, this is the position you might have to take if your water heater suddenly breaks down when you least expect it. Inevitably, these emergencies seem to occur right in the dead of winter, when losing hot water is not only a mild discomfort but a catastrophic event.