Tureks Plumbing Services Blog: Posts Tagged ‘water heater installation’

Why Choose Tureks Plumbing, Appleton WI

Monday, September 19th, 2022

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When it comes to choosing a plumber near you, there are a number of factors to consider. First, it is important to make sure that the plumber is licensed and insured. This will protect you in case of any damage or injury that may occur during the course of the work. Second, you will want to ask for referrals from friends or family members who have used the services of a particular plumber. This can give you a good idea of the quality of workmanship and customer service that you can expect. Finally, be sure to get an estimate in writing before work begins. This will help you to budget for the cost of the repairs and avoid any unexpected charges. By taking the time to research your options, you can be sure to choose a plumber who will meet your needs and exceed your expectations.

Some Services We Offer

Turek’s Plumbing is a full-service plumbing company that has been serving the needs of homeowners and businesses in the Fox Valley and surrounding areas for over 30 years. We are a family-owned and operated business, and we take pride in our reputation for providing quality workmanship at fair prices. Our services include water heater installation and repair, bathroom remodeling, sewer line repair and replacement, and much more. We also offer a wide range of maintenance and emergency services to keep your plumbing system running smoothly. Whether you need a simple repair or a complete overhaul of your plumbing system, Turek’s Plumbing is here to help.

Contact Tureks Plumbing Today

At Tureks Plumbing, we understand that your time is valuable. That’s why we offer consultations to help you determine the best course of action for your plumbing needs. Whether you’re facing a simple repair or a complex installation, our team of expert plumbers near you will work with you to find the most efficient and cost-effective solution. We understand that every situation is unique, and we’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and answer all of your questions. Contact Tureks Plumbing today to schedule a consultation. We’ll help you get the job done right, and we’ll do it without disrupting your busy schedule.

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Tankless Water Heater Myths

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2021
tankless water heater myths

Tankless Water Heater Myths

If you think it’s time to replace your current water heater, you may want to consider upgrading to a tankless model. The best plumbing companies will agree that a tankless water heater is the better choice. A new tankless water heater can last up to 30 years. If you’re considering a tankless water heater installation in Appleton, WI, read the article below to learn more about tankless water heater myths.

Myth: Easy To Switch to a Tankless Water Heater

Most homes in Appleton, WI are over 10 years old, so it’s likely that your water heater has a storage tank. Going from a storage-tank water heater to a tankless water heater is harder than it looks. Tankless water heaters burn fuel with coal. As a result, the construction phase for a tankless water heater can also require work on the gas lines to ensure that the device receives adequate gas supplies. 

In addition, extra work might also be needed to equip your home with the necessary ventilation to guide the exhaust gasses outdoors. Therefore, it’s not recommended that you swap out your water heater yourself. Contact Tureks Plumbing Services for professional tankless water heater installation

Myth: The Water Is Instantly Hot

A lot of people had the idea that a tankless water heater is comparable to instant hot water in your showers or faucets. Yes, it’s accurate that the tankless device heats up the water as it’s switched on. But, the water also has to pass through the plumbing in your home until it’s sent to the working plug. Essentially, it would take almost the same time for hot water to enter the tap as it does from the storage water heater. If you want to shorten the waiting period for you to finally use hot water, you may want to look at a circulating system installation in combination with your tankless machine to hold hot water continuously accessible in the pipes for immediate supply.

Myth: Require an Annual Inspection

One of the benefits of a tankless water heater is skipping annual inspections! There’s no maintenance timeline for a tankless water heater. Our friends at McQuillan Bros, a plumbing company in Stillwater, say that it really depends on the hardness of the water. The harder the temperature, the faster the mineral deposits can build up in the water heater. Your tankless water heater will force much of this through the system, but if there’s a build-up, the scale detector program will send you an error message, and then you’ll need to have it serviced by a professional plumber.

Myth: Not Enough Water

As we mentioned above, most homes have a storage-tank water heater. Therefore, switching to a tankless water heater creates a common misconception that there’s a lack of hot water. “Not the case at all. The water is heated when it moves through the unit. So, you don’t need to worry about not getting enough hot water,” says Ed Tureks from Tureks Plumbing. 

Contact a Plumbing Company in Fox Valley

Need water heater services in Appleton, WI? Tureks Plumbing is happy to help! Our team of professional, licensed, and insured plumbers can service, repair, and install your water heater. We’ve been serving the Fox Valley and surrounding areas for over 20 years. Contact us today for a water heater estimate or if you need residential plumbing services or commercial plumbing services.

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Tankless Wate Heater Savings

Wednesday, August 26th, 2020

Will a Tankless Water Heater Save Me Money?

Tankless Water Heater Savings - Tureks Plumbing Services

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, American homes spend an average of $2,060 each year on energy bills. Approximately $268, or 13% of the annual energy bill, goes to heating water. This doesn’t include the cost of the water itself, so it isn’t surprising that many homeowners in Appleton, WI, are looking for ways to cut costs. One of the avenues they consider is a tankless water heater for its improved energy efficiency, with some units offering on-demand hot water in a compact wall-mounted design, up to 34% better energy performance, and potential annual savings of up to $95.

Unlike traditional tank water heaters, these systems heat water only as needed instead of storing it, which is generally more energy-efficient and can help lower utility bills and energy costs over time.

Can a Tankless Water Heater Result in Cost Savings?

Tankless water heaters are also referred to as instantaneous water heaters, on-demand water heaters or simply demand heaters. This type of heater has seen a spike in demand because the heater can heat water only when it is needed.

This instantaneous availability of hot water, rather than having gallons standing by just in case someone needs a supply of hot water, helps keep hot water flowing on demand and has led many homeowners to believe that having one of these appliances will save them money.

Turek’s Plumbing Services confirms that Appleton WI tankless water heaters usually require less energy to run than storage systems. Many tankless models also offer on-demand performance, a compact wall-mounted design, and potential annual energy savings of up to $95. However, having lower energy bills doesn’t necessarily mean you are saving money since the upfront pricing for equipment and setup is often higher and also has to be accounted for.

Because tankless water heaters are more complex than water heaters with storage tanks, and each unit relies on advanced electronics and venting, it costs more to install the on-demand water heater and service it properly. That added cost, plus the purchase price of the heater, means that it will take longer for the water heater to pay for itself.

In Appleton, hard water can cause mineral buildup and scale inside the water heater tank and components, so annual service and water heater maintenance are important to protect energy efficiency and extend the system’s longer lifespan.

These water heaters could deliver savings in your case, and they come with the following added benefits which could outweigh any savings you hoped to gain.

Longer Service Life

As mentioned earlier, on-demand water heaters typically last about twice as long as older units with water storage tanks. For instance, while a traditional water heater could last for 8-12 years, a tankless version can work for 20-25 years.

Furthermore, most components of on-demand water heaters can be replaced, such as the anode rod and pressure relief valve, so a repair on a traditional tank unit may only extend its life briefly, while replacement parts can keep a tankless water heater going longer and provide dependable hot water.

Limitless Hot Water Supply

In most cases, on-demand water heaters can provide endless hot water. You therefore no longer have to worry that you will get a jet of cold water in the midst of having a hot shower.

Choosing the right water heater also depends on fuel type, the size of the unit, household size, and total household demand, since the major types homeowners compare often include tankless systems, gas water heaters, electric models, and traditional tank models.

You could also solve the flow rate challenge by installing a smaller on-demand water heater at a point of use that requires a lot of hot water. This will result in even more efficiency as the heat losses incurred while water is transported from the heater to the point of use are avoided, and this smaller unit can help serve that high-demand fixture more directly.

Space Economy

We live at a time when every square foot of space comes at a premium. It is therefore welcome news to learn that tankless water heaters require very limited space since the heater doesn’t come with a storage tank, and their compact design supports improved efficiency while saving valuable floor space.

A traditional water heater (the ones with storage tanks) are approximately two feet in diameter and five feet tall. These huge water heaters aren’t only an eyesore wherever they are installed, but they also take up a lot of space in the kitchen, laundry room, or any other location where they have been installed.

In contrast, many tankless water heaters are compact, wall-mounted systems that can be tucked away in tight spaces. Additionally, they come in attractive designs which enhance rather than detract from the aesthetics of your home.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Suitable for Me?

As you can see from the discussion above, a lot goes into determining whether an on-demand water heater will deliver savings to a particular home or not. It is therefore advisable for you to contact us at Turek’s Plumbing Services so that a member of our team can visit your home, assess your hot water needs, usage, fuel source, and system type, and help you choose the right option before giving you our considered opinion on whether you may or may not realize monetary savings when you install a tankless water heater.

Our water heater service can include repair, maintenance, or water heater installation, including new water heater installations, for gas, electric, tankless, and electric water heater systems, and our heater service is tailored to your household; regular water heater maintenance helps support a reliable hot water supply, extend system life, and improve energy efficiency by preventing sediment buildup and corrosion. We also provide comprehensive water heater repair across the major system types we service. If your system needs frequent repairs, has a leaking water heater tank, shows heavy corrosion, or is an outdated unit over 10–15 years old, a new water heater replacement is often the smarter long-term choice, especially when water heater problems include inconsistent water temperature or no hot water, often caused by worn heating elements, faulty thermostats, or undersized units that cannot keep up with household demand, rusty or discolored water, or strange noises like popping and rumbling caused by excess sediment buildup that reduces efficiency and strains the system. When the issue is identified promptly, most repairs can be completed in one visit.

In hard water conditions, sediment buildup can also lead to leaks and corrosion that worsen over time if not addressed promptly. Homeowners should also choose a company well-versed in their brand and authorized to service tankless models, and credentials such as an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau or a strong standing with the local business bureau can reinforce that trust; specialized technicians with local knowledge, plumbing experience, and a proven track record can quickly diagnose tankless issues, perform same-day diagnostics for scale buildup and error codes, and respond quickly when you lose hot water, which matters for tankless systems because homeowners depend on on-demand hot water. This is especially helpful in Milwaukee homes, where Milwaukee residents often deal with hard water and older housing-related plumbing conditions. That expertise is important for solving problems tied to advanced system design, and switching from a traditional tank water heater may also require gas-line upgrades and plumbing adjustments.

Contact Tureks Plumbing Services today for tankless water heater service, water heater repair, or water heater replacement in Milwaukee today—our team delivers exceptional service, honest recommendations, and quality workmanship for fewer surprises.

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How to Install a New Water Heater

Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

How to install a new water heater

How to Install a New Water Heater

Today, instant hot water is no longer considered a luxury; it is now more of a necessity. When you have a water heater, you don’t have to run the bath for several minutes to get the right temperature. You won’t suddenly be drenched by cold water in the middle of enjoying a warm bath as well.

The key to enjoying a warm or hot water every time you need it is to install your water heater properly. Although this is a job best left to experts, there is nothing wrong with trying to install it yourself. And once you have any problems going through with any of the installation steps, you have to call a professional plumber immediately.

Installing Your Electric Water Heater

Below are the steps on how to install a new water heater properly and safely:

Turn off the water and electricity supply

Shut off the circuit breaker for the line where you will connect the heater.  Next, turn off the home’s main water shutoff valve or the shutoff valve at the cold water supply line running to your current heater.  

Drain the old tank

Turn off the cold water supply to the heater. This is often located at the top of the unit. Next, connect a hose to the water heater’s drain valve and open the valve. Place the end of the hose near a floor drain or into a pail.

Make sure you drain the tank completely before you turn off the valve and remove the hose.

Disconnect the electric and plumbing connections

Next, disconnect the water heater’s electrical wires. Label the wires or take a picture so that you can easily use them later when connecting your new heater’s wires. Once done, disconnect the hot and cold water supply pipes.

If your current heater used copper piping, you may need to cut the pipes. Use a pipe tubing cutter to do this and leave as much of the pipe as possible.

Remove the old heater and place the new one

Once you have taken down the old tank, place the new heater into position. Make sure you line it up with the existing electrical and plumbing connections.   

Next, install the different fittings. These include the temperature and pressure relief or TPR valve and discharge drain pipe. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions.

Connect the water pipes

If the cold water supply does not have a shutoff valve, now is the time to install one. When done, use the correct fittings to connect the cold water inlet and hot water outlet on the water heater to their respective pipes. Be sure to use the correct type of fittings.

Connect the heater to the electrical source

Use the previous wire connections as a guide and connect the new wires in the same way that you removed them. Make sure you follow the labels when connecting the cables to the electrical source.  

Set the temperature

Turn on the cold water supply valve to the water heater and turn on the main water supply valve to fill the tank with water. Next, restore power to the water heater circuit. Set the temperature between 110 and 125 degrees F and wait until the water in the tank comes up to temperature. Leave the water turned on for a few minutes to ensure that the heater maintains the desired temperature.

Getting Help from Pros

As you can see from the steps above, installing a new water heater is not an easy task. You will need a number of plumbing tools which you may not have as well.

If you don’t want your new water heater to become a fire, explosion, and health hazard, hire a pro to install it properly.

By hiring a plumber to handle the installation, you:

  • Ensure the electrical lines are connected properly and safely
  • Allow the ignition sources to be checked, cleaned, and repaired, if necessary
  • Avoid damaging the TPR
  • Avoid the possibility of bacterial contamination

By letting a trusted Appleton plumber handle the water heater installation, you will be sure you can use your newly installed electric water heater as soon as possible. You will be able to use it safely for a long time as well.

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