Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Archive for the ‘Water Heater Instillation’ Category

Things To Know When Installing A Tankless Water Heater

Tuesday, April 25th, 2017

Also known as a “demand type” water heater, a tankless water heater provides hot water only when needed. As such, it does not produce standby energy losses, which saves you money.

How a Tankless Water Heater Works

Water is being heated without the use of a storage tank. Cold water will travel from a pipe to the unit if a hot water tap is turned on. This means a tankless water heater delivers a steady supply of hot water. In other words, you do not have to wait for the storage tank to be filled up with enough hot water each time you need to use it.

Why Opt for a Tankless Water Heater?

  • Heating costs will be reduced – Enjoy monthly savings of up to 40% off your utility bill for the product’s life. Heating and reheating water in the storage tank is not required.
  • Only a small amount of space is needed – As compared to traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters will take up less space since this is just about the size of a small suitcase or even smaller.
  • Eco-friendly – Tankless water heaters are 30% more energy-efficient than tank water heaters. Maximum energy efficiency will help conserve natural resources.
  • Long-lasting – It has a longer lifespan for up to twice as much as that of the traditional water heater. This further means less waste in the landfill.
  • Clean – Avoid using water stored in a tank with accumulated rust.
  • Safe – A tankless water heater is equipped with excellent safety features to prevent injuries and burns caused by boiling water.

Installing and Maintaining Demand-Type Water Heater

Proper installation will greatly depend on different factors. These include the following:

  • Local building code requirements
  • Climate
  • Fuel type
  • Safety issues

Regular water heater maintenance is also important to extend the life of the water heater. This will also decrease loss of efficiency.

Proper installation and maintenance are very crucial to optimize the water heater’s energy efficiency. Therefore, it is best to have a licensed, skilled plumbing and heating contractor to install your tankless water heater.

Tips for Choosing the Right Contractor

  • Ask for references. Satisfied customers will give you peace of mind.
  • Request cost estimates from different contractors. Make sure that these estimates are for completed work and not just for sections of the system.
  • Check if they can get a local permit when necessary.
  • Determine if they fully understand local building codes.
  • Check if the plumbing contractor company is a member of the Better Business Bureau.
  • Sign the contract only after you’ve read and understood it.

If you’re looking to install a tankless water heater, please call us today!

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Posted in Bathroom Remodel, Commercial Plumbing, Fox Valley Plumber, Kitchen Plumbing, Kitchen Remodel Planning, Plumbing Problems, Plumbing Trends, Remodel Contractor, Residential Plumbing, Uncategorized, Water Efficiency, Water Heater, Water Heater Instillation, Water Heater Repair, Water Pressure | Comments Off on Things To Know When Installing A Tankless Water Heater

When To Replace Your Hot Water Heater

Tuesday, April 11th, 2017

Once you have a water heater installed, you can rely on this piece of equipment to give you hot or temperate water whenever you need to take a bath.

But although you can expect this system to give you years and years of comfortable baths, there will come a time when it will stop working properly. And if you don’t want to be unexpectedly drenched in freezing water on a particularly cold morning, you need to know when to replace your hot water heater so that you can avoid such an uncomfortable, shocking situation.

There are certain signs that would indicate that you need to replace your water heater immediately. These include the following:

Your heater is already more than 10 years old.

Most water heaters last between 10 and 15 years. Once your system passes the 10-year mark, you will start encountering issues every now and then and you will soon find yourself spending a lot of money on repairs. Unfortunately, having your heater repaired regularly only delays the inevitable. You would do well to put all that money on a new heater.

Recurring loud, unusual noises.

As the years go by, sediment will build up in your water heater tank. You will soon hear banging or rumbling sounds from your heater due to the obstruction inside the tank.  Although a plumber will be able to remove small amounts of buildup, there will come a time when the sediment will harden and this will become too difficult to take out. Aside from causing loud noises, this hard sediment may make your heater inefficient.

Excessive leaks.

The presence of puddles of water around the heater or water seeping down the sides of the heater are usually signs that the water heater tank may be fractured. If this is the case, you will have no choice but to replace the heater to get rid of the existing leaks and prevent any further damage.

Rust around the fittings.

If the fittings around your water heater are corroded, or look rusted or worn down, this may indicate that there is an issue with the unit as a whole. Corrosion is even more likely if the leaks appear around the valves or the pipework. A professional plumber can help you decide whether it will be worth your while and your money to have the issue fixed by replacing the damaged part or if it is best to simply replace your heater with a new one.

It is producing less hot water.

Lastly, if you start noticing that there is a lack of hot water coming from your heater even if you play with the settings, this is usually a sign that your equipment is no longer working efficiently. This is especially true if you observe a sudden decrease in the amount of hot water or that your hot water never seems to get hotter than lukewarm.

You don’t have to immediately buy a new heater if you notice that your current one is starting to act up. A plumber will be able to help you decide if an old heater is worth repairing or if it is best to buy a new one. Call us today to set up an appointment!

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Posted in Bathroom Remodel, Commercial Plumbing, Kitchen Plumbing, Kitchen Remodel Planning, Remodel Contractor, Residential Plumbing, Water Efficiency, Water Heater, Water Heater Instillation, Water Heater Repair, Water Pressure | Comments Off on When To Replace Your Hot Water Heater

Tankless Water Heater Facts

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

tankless water heater benefits

What you need to know about your Tankless Water Heater system

Whether you are looking for a water heating system for your new home or your current system has seen better days and needs a replacement, one of the first things you need to do is to look at all of your available options and weigh their pros and cons. This will allow you to make an informed purchasing decision. When you are shopping for a water heating system, one system that should be on your radar is a tankless water heater system.

Also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, tankless heaters provide hot water when you need it. Unlike other water heaters, this type of water heater does not lose energy while in standby mode, allowing you to save more money over the long-term. If you are eyeing a tankless water heater replacement, here is how the system works.

How tankless heaters work

Tankless heaters eliminate the need for storage tanks. Instead, the water is heated when it passes through the system, which may be fuelled by gas or electricity. This means that you can get a constant stream of hot water when you need it. You do not have to wait for a tank to be filled enough. These heaters are versatile enough to be used for a variety of purposes including bathrooms and hot tubs, for appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, and as a booster for solar water heaters.

Pros and cons of Tankless Water heaters

One of the major selling points of these heaters is the amount of energy and money that you can save. If your household’s hot water consumption is 41 gallons and below, you can save as much as 34 percent in energy usage. You can find this out by looking at your water bill. If your household’s consumption of hot water is greater than 41 gallons, you can expect energy use reduction of as much as 14 percent. If you choose to install one tankless water heater for each water outlet, you can even save as much as 50 percent on energy cost.

Despite these advantages, tankless heaters have a few disadvantages. The cost of a tankless water heater is considerably higher than a standard tank water heater. However, you can recoup your initial investment through energy efficiency and the longevity of this type of system. Typically, this system can last more than 20 years with proper care and maintenance.

Both types of this heater, gas and electric-powered, have lower water flow rates. This means that you may not have ample hot water if you take a shower while another person in your home needs to use hot water for dish or clothes washing. It is possible to overcome this hurdle by having another tankless heater installed. If you are choosing a gas-fired system, you need to be aware that the pilot lights used in these can offset the benefit of energy conservation. You may want to choose models that have pilot lights that can be turned off or those with intermittent ignition devices.

When you are ready for an evaluation of your current water heater and would like a free estimate be sure to call your local plumber. Your Fox Valley Plumber will be able to properly measure and evaluate your current water heating system and provide you with an estimate from professional installation for a new one.

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