Archive for the ‘Water Heaters’ Category
How To Prevent Plumbing Problems In The Future
How To Prevent Plumbing Problems In The Future
Are you tired of wasting your time and energy solving your home’s plumbing system problems? Well, if you find yourself in such a situation, then you need to get in touch with a licensed plumber as soon as possible. However, if you have not faced any plumbing related problems yet, then do not wait till these problems catch up with you. There are plenty of things that you can do in order to avoid plumbing related problems in your home.
One of the most basic things that you can do in order to avoid plumbing problems is to make sure that you drain the hot water heater every now and then. One of the most common plumbing problems in households is the growth of sediments in the water heater over time. Sediments start to build up just after the hot water heater installation. A typical homeowner does not draining the water heater periodically. However, by draining it on a regular basis you would ensure that there are no accumulated sediments and save yourself from a very common plumbing headache.
Another very important thing which you can do is simply keep a check on the pipes and make sure that there is no leakage. Many plumbing problems are a result of a leakage in one of the pipes in the house. Keeping a check on the pipes on a regular basis also means that you would be able to repair the pipe in case you come across a leakage. This could be as simple as checking the fittings to make sure they are securely tightened.
Many homeowners, especially in the United States, follow most of the above suggestions and therefore, avoid situations where they have to worry and fret over plumbing issues.
Purchasing a Tankless Water Heater
Purchasing a Tankless Water Heater
You’ve decided to purchase an energy and water saving tankless water heater. Great! But how do you know what kind to buy? Tankless water heaters are also referred to as instantaneous or demand water heaters, so keep these terms in mind when you are shopping for your tankless water heater as you don’t want to risk passing up a great deal because you don’t realize that the terms are interchangeable. Basically any water heater that advertises that it is used only when there is a demand for hot water is a tankless water heater.
Before actually purchasing your tankless water heater, you’ll need to consider the fuel type you need, where you will put the unit, and what size unit to purchase (determined by your hot water demands and the application of the unit).
As for fuel type, your choices are either an electric tankless water heater or a gas-fired tankless water heater. In many cases, this is determined by the type of energy set-up you already have in your home. Check with a qualified local plumbing contractor to determine what options are available in your home if you don’t already know. For electric-powered water heaters you’ll have to have appropriate amounts and types of electricity to install the unit; and for gas-fired ones, type of gas available to you and certain venting requirements will be the restrictions you must deal with. If you research local building codes to ensure that your water heater is within the guidelines of your specific location, you’ll have an easier time of making an informed decision about your purchase. But remember, gas-fired tankless water heaters may still require a minimal electrical connection, so review installation requirements for the units you are considering.
Next, consider where you will need hot water, the location as well as the application. These factors will determine where to put the units so as to best deliver hot water to the locations you need it in. For example, do you need a unit that will heat the water at one bathroom sink (single point application), an entire bathroom (multipoint application), or an entire house, apartment, or condo (whole house application)? Recognizing the number of fixtures that will require hot water since each fixture will have its own demands, is an important consideration when deciding where to locate your unit(s).
Typically, tankless water heaters provide hot water at a rate of 2 to 5 gallons (7.6 to 15.2 liters) per minute, with gas-fired ones, in most cases, producing higher flow rates than electric ones. And, smaller tankless water heaters are not always capable of supplying enough hot water for simultaneous, multiple uses in large households; so make sure you are aware of approximately how much hot water you use in your home to determine what size tank you want to purchase. If you do have a large household, and anticipate the need for lots of hot water, you can install a “whole house” type tankless water heater or two or more tankless water heaters, either connected parallel to one another or as separate tankless water heaters for individual appliances, such as your clothes washer or dishwater, that use a lot of hot water. If you are unsure of what size to choose, ask your installer for recommendations about the size you need.
Consider these factors before purchasing your new or replacement tankless hot water heater and you’ll have hot water to enjoy for years without giving it another thought. Taking the time to research the purchase of any appliance you’ll use for years is always a great investment of your time and energy.
Blog post provided by: Atlanta GA Tankless Water Heater Company
Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
Energy-Efficient Water Heating Tips
With the ever-increasing cost of just about everything, saving even a small amount on your energy bill is helpful. As for lowering your water heating bills there are several energy-saving strategies that may help you save a little money each month on your water heating bill. Installing a new, more, energy-efficient water heater than the one you have now is an easy option for lowering that bill. Short of that you can reduce your hot water use or lower the water heating temperature on your hot water heater. Other strategies for lowering your water heating expenses include insulation of your water heater tank and hot water pipes, installation of heat traps, timers, and/or a drain-water heat recovery system.
Insulate Your Water Heater and Hot Water Pipes
Insulating your water heater tank and pipes will save you about 4 to 9 percent in water heating costs. To insulate hot water pipes use blankets or other heat infusing material. You can usually purchase and install an insulating pre-cut jacket or blanket yourself on an electric water heater, available for about $10.00 to $20.00. You’ll want to choose one with an insulating value of at least R-8 and make sure your thermostat is set below 130 degrees Fahrenheit. For a gas water heater, the installation of a blanket or jacket is a bit more difficult so make sure you carefully read and follow the installation instructions so as not to block the drain at the bottom or the flue at the top of your heater. You’ll want to be careful not to block the airflow to the burner and not cover the thermostat to prevent your insulation from igniting.
Install a Drain-Water Heat Recovery System
A drain-water heat recovery system captures water before it goes down the drain from other water sources and preheats the cold water from this drainage before it enters the water heater. By trapping and recovering heat from hot water used in showers, bathtubs, sinks, dishwashers, and clothes washers, a drain-water heat recovery system can save you valuable dollars on your hot water expenses. You’ll need a qualified water heater plumber and heating contractor to install your system with the range of expense being $300 to $500.
Other easy ways to lower your water heating costs is by being careful not to waste hot water, fix leaks, install low-flow fixtures, and purchase energy-efficient appliances. Being a conscientious homeowner will always pay off with lower household expenses.
Post provided by: Water Heater Plumbers Decatur GA
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless Water Heaters function to heat water directly without the use of a storage tank. Consequently, tankless water heaters avoid the standby heat losses associated with storage water heaters. With a tankless water heater, when you turn on your hot water tap, cold water travels through a pipe into your tankless water heater unit. If you have an electric tankless water heater, an electric element heats the water; and in a gas-fired tankless water heater a gas burner heats the water. This results in a tankless water heater delivering a constant supply of hot water to your home. Thus, you don’t need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with water to enjoy your hot water.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
To optimize the energy efficiency of your tankless water heater you must make sure that it is properly installed and that you handle maintenance issues regularly.
Proper installation and maintenance of tankless water heaters depends on the climate you live in and local building code requirements. To determine if you are within codes, you should have a qualified, licensed plumbing contractor install your tankless water heater.
Precautions To Take To Ensure Your Tankless Water Heater Is Installed Correctly
Take precautions in choosing a contractor to install your tankless water heater by requesting a cost estimate in writing, asking the contractor for references, checking with your local Better Business Bureau to see if unfavorable reports have been filed against the contractor, and confirm that the company has a local permit and understands your local building code requirements.
Manufacturers of tankless water heaters usually provide installation and instruction manuals with their product; so make sure your contractor is aware of this and that he has a copy of these installation instruction materials. In addition, make sure that your contractor has contacted your municipality for information about obtaining a permit to install your tankless water heater, if necessary, and that your contractor is educated in the codes required to be followed when installing your tankless water heater.
Life expectancy of most tankless water heaters is more than twenty years, so verify that parts for your particular water heater will be available for at least ten to fifteen years.
Consult the manufacturer’s website or literature for detailed warranty information about your tankless water heater. And, remember, periodic water heater maintenance can significantly extend your water heater’s life as well as minimize your loss of efficiency. Be sure to read your owner’s manual for specific maintenance recommendations and follow those recommendations.
Post provided by: Licensed Plumber Marietta GA
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