Choosing A Water Heater: The Basics
No one ever thinks about a water heater and all it does for their home until the one they have stops working; then they will have to decide how to go about choosing a water heater, and for many this is a scary proposition. When you need a water heater you need to understand the different types, their pluses and minuses, and how all of that information applies to your needs.
There are four basic types of water heaters, the storage tank model, the tankless model, the hybrid, and the solar water tank model. Each one of these different water tanks provide hot water to your home, but looking at how they work and cost will be the best way for choosing a water tank.
First look at the water tank most people are most familiar with, the storage tank model. This water tank has a large storage tank that fills with cold water. Inside the tank are heating elements that keeps the water at a constant temperature, day and night.
While this type of water heater is what most people have seen the most, there are some major drawbacks to buying another of this type of tank. First there is a fixed amount of water that can be heated at a time; therefore you may, depending on your usage, run out of hot water from time to time. Next, while these are pretty reasonable to buy, they are very expensive to run. Also, with storage type units, there is no shut off on the heating element, so it takes a lot of energy to keep your water hot. Having said that, these are still the best option for consumers on a budget.
The second type of water heater is the newest and most cutting edge of them all. With the tankless water heater, there is no tank to store water. The water is heated when you need it, and only the water that is needed at that moment is heated, which results in saving a large percentage of your utility costs associated with water usage every month, so why doesn’t everyone have one? Well the upfront costs are not too quickly offset with the savings on your energy bill.
The hybrid is another type of water heater, these combine a tank with a heat pump which works with the hot air around the pump to heat your water. These units are really large and most homes do not have a place for them. Plus, they are not very economical which means that they really are not a very practical option for most homeowners.
Finally there is the solar tank, these are brilliantly designed systems which combines a storage tank and solar collectors to heat your water supply using the power collected from the sun. These systems are extremely expensive, and are not a viable option for most homeowners.
As you can see from this article, there are many options for your next water heater and some are going to be better than others depending on your particular needs. Discuss these options with your plumber and find the perfect balance of cost versus benefit for you and your family.
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9 Steps To Avoid Drain Cleaning Disasters
The fall time is coming, and it is one of the busiest times of years for plumbers and drain cleaning professionals. Sewage systems can become overrun with additional house guests, causing inconvenient backups. In preparing and cleaning up evening meals at home, homeowners can also clog up their sinks, disposals and washing machines. Below are 10 steps to help you avoid having a clogged drain…
- Do not under any circumstance dump grease directly down your drain. Grease solidifies when it cools, and will solidify on the inside of your plumbing.
- Always collect excess grease in spare containers. Wait for it to solidify and then dispose of it.
- Never force large amounts of food down the garbage disposal at once. Give the unit plenty of time to grind the food before adding more.
- Don’t use your garbage disposal as a trash can.
- Always turn on the water before starting the garbage disposal, and keep it running for a minute after turning off the disposal to move the waste through the pipes.
- Leftovers can do a number on your sink. Make sure all food scraps are scraped off plates before rinsing. Letting food remnants slide down your drain with cause backups in your kitchen pipes.
- In sticking with the same theme, also make sure dishes are scraped clean before placed in the dishwasher. Food scraps can collect in the dishwasher and prevent proper drainage.
- Keep the area around your sink and disposal clear; utensils and other kitchen tools can slip into your garbage disposal, bringing it to a screeching stop.
- Avoid leaving paper towels in bathrooms. If toilet paper supplies run empty, guests may reach for paper towels instead; which can stop up toilets.
Water Conservation One Drop At A Time
We hear the term “water conservation” all the time, but what does it actually mean and what can we do to help in the effort? Water conservation simply means that you need to use water wisely. Unfortunately, while we hear it all the time and know we should be careful in how we use water, we all start to take it for granted.
As times passes by, more and more people are abusing their usage of water. Sure, some may never have actually understood the importance of conservation but most of us do and the fact is water conservation is now being neglected by the majority of people.
Everyone has a responsibility to do their part to conserve water. Now, I am not talking about extreme conservation efforts like catching ran water and recycling it for other uses. Though one could if they were so inclined and it would be admirable. No what we are referring to here are little things that everyone can do to conserve water when they can.
One example of a small thing you can do to conserve water is replace your older shower head with a modern low flow alternative. There would be no discernible change in the quality of your shower, yet a low flow variety can cut your water usage by as much as 80 percent. Some older shower heads would use as much as seven gallons of water each and every minute! But newer low flow fixtures can use as little as one single gallon per minute. Now multiply that by the billions of homes on the planet and the savings are staggering.
Similarly, a low flush toilet can achieve similarly striking savings in your daily usage of water. These new fixtures were designed to achieve the same performance while using considerably less water in the process. Some of these fixtures were designed to operate using as much as 67% less water while doing the exact same job. Again, do the math as you will agree that the potential benefit is staggering to say the least.
Another thing that a homeowner can do to conserve water is to fix leaks as soon as they start. People have a tendency to ignore minor drips from their faucets until they become larger drips and they can’t stand the annoyance any longer. But in the process, hundreds of gallons of water are wasted needlessly.
In addition to the satisfaction that comes from knowing you are doing your part to help the environment, you get to reap the benefit of a monthly savings on your water bill. That should sound pretty good, too!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6507377
Choosing The Best Water Heaters
Water heaters are extremely important in any home – which is why homeowners should know exactly when to install a new one before the old unit decided to take its last breath. In fact, it might be best to time replacement during home remodeling to ensure that the new unit would be able to fit well with the overall design. However, considering the difference between past and present water heaters, it isn’t surprising if most home owners are unsure about what to purchase. That being said, following are some tips on how to choose the best heaters for home improvement.
What type of heater?
There are several types of heaters being sold in the market today. These include tank less types, heat pump heaters or solar heaters. Decide on what type of power the heater would be running on although for better results, it might be best to choose a model capable of running on various power sources. On-demand heaters are also a good choice since they manage to conserve energy for the homeowner. Since there are so many types, it might be best to inquire sellers about the available ones, their features, drawbacks and cost.
How energy efficient is the unit?
With the current cost of electricity nowadays, it isn’t surprising that more and more people want to save on their power use. Hence, look for a unit that burns off as little energy as possible. The ultimate choice for this consideration is the solar heater which harnesses the power of the sun, hence largely cutting back on the electricity cost.
Of course, various units today come with the Energy Efficient stamp so just look for them in any unit. Check out the EF of (Energy Factor) of the model which is usually provided in the guide. The higher the rating, the better would its capacity in saving energy would be.
What is the first hour rating (FHR)?
The FHR is also provided in the user guide of the unit. This basically refers to the capacity of the heater to provide hot water even if the demand for water in the household is at its peak. For example, if there are two bathrooms and all of them are being used, how efficient would the unit be in providing hot liquid to the users? Estimate the amount and look for an FHR near the amount. For those who are thinking about expanding their home, make room for a bigger FHR to avoid purchasing a new one in case of expansion.
Keep in mind that cheap water heaters are usually the ones that burn off more energy. Hence, try to find the most expensive one within budget and be assured of expense savings for the future day. Don’t forget to hire a professional to assess the general plumbing of the place for maximum usage. As much as possible try to get the input of professionals or someone knowledgeable in the task. This would make it easier in the long run as well as get informed data about the project.
How Green Is Your Water Heater?
No, we’re not talking about the color of your hot water – although green water could indicate a problem. We’re talking about how your water is heated and about how much water and energy you could be conserving by switching to a tankless water heater (instant water heater).
Tankless water heaters can save water and energy. They also (because of this savings) can reduce your utility bills. And, they can cost less to install and operate than a traditional water heater.
Whether you are using an electric or a gas water heater, you are actually heating the amount of water held in your tank again and again to maintain a constant temperature. Depending upon the amount of hot water you use and when you use it, you could be spending quite a chunk of change to keep water hot for extended periods when you don’t need it.
For example, say you don’t cook (so you only run the dishwasher once a week), you don’t have a washing machine in your home, and you prefer to shower in the morning. You need hot water in the morning and on the day you run the dishwasher. If you use a traditional hot water heater, with a capacity of 50 gallons, you will be heating 50 gallons of water to the predetermined temperature and then continuing to heat it enough to keep it at that temperature twenty-four hours every day. If you only use 30 gallons of hot water when you shower, you are heating 30 gallons for an extra 23 hours and 20 gallons for an extra 24 hours every day. If you used a tankless water heater, you would only heat the 30 gallons you need for your shower as you need it. Over the course of a year, this savings in energy could add up to a noticeable savings in your gas or electric bill.
Because tankless water heaters provide hot water by heating the water as it passes over a heating element, you only heat the amount of water you actually use. And, you don’t have to stand around waiting for the hot water to travel through the pipes from the hot water tank to the faucet you are using, which also saves water.
Tankless water heaters are becoming very popular because they are energy-efficient and because they conserve water. If you want to reduce your monthly utility bills and protect the environment, you can “green up” your water use by installing tankless water heaters in key parts of your home.
How To Handle An Emergency Plumbing Repair
The first step to becoming a successful homeowner or renter is knowing basic emergency plumbing tips. It is no longer news that the joy of owning a home vanishes when emergencies strike. The frustration of an emergency plumbing problem is even more intense if house occupants are totally ignorant of how their plumbing system works or where the control valves are located. I agree that not everyone is gifted with plumbing skills and we all cannot be plumbers. However, it does not hurt to know the basics of your home plumbing system, just in case your water line chooses to burst and flood your house when you cannot get a hold of a plumber immediately.
A broken water pipe is not the only emergency plumbing problem to watch out for. Clogged drains, frozen pipes and sewer backup are some of the other common emergency plumbing issues. A clogged drain slows or stops water from flowing in the drainage system and in a worst case scenario, the whole plumbing system blocks to a halt and occupants cannot use water anywhere in the house without having an overflow situation. The key to averting the ugly situation described above is knowing the basics about your plumbing systems and ultimately having an idea of what to do in plumbing emergencies.
Managing Emergency Plumbing
Water leak or broken pipe
It is important to know the location of all of the shut-off valves controlling water supply to your utilities and appliances in the kitchen, bathroom, toilet, basement and yard. Carefully inspect your kitchen sink, toilet pipes, water heaters, heating systems, tubs and other appliances to locate the shutoff valve feeding water into them. Another very important valve you must know the location is the main shutoff valve supplying water to your entire house. If you cannot find the stop valves for your systems or if you are not sure where to look, ask your plumber anytime you have him working at your house. Getting this information from a professional will help boost your confidence when you have to deal with an emergency water leak and broken pipe because then you know for sure what to turn off.
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Clogged Drain Prevention
In the typical home you will encounter a number of different drains, each with their specific use and function. Kitchen sinks for example, will frequently have a garbage disposal attached, and can accept kinds of waste that would not be acceptable in a bathroom–or lavatory–sink. There are types of drains that will be found in every building or home. Knowing their purposes and capabilities will allow for best clog prevention practices, and the quickest clearing of any troubles that do arise.
In the home, kitchen drains are attached to sinks and dishwashers. Restaurants and related businesses will also have floor drains found in kitchens.
A common thought is that if a sink has a garbage disposal that just anything can be tossed in as long as the disposal is run. This belief has paid the college tuition for many a plumber’s kid. The fact is, garbage disposals can grind certain food and waste into particles small enough to flush away, but a disposal drain is just as vulnerable as any other to the most common causes of clogging: fats, oils, greases, and grits. Fatty substances will congeal on the interiors of pipes, and will ignore garbage disposals on the way. Then grit like coffee grounds, egg shells, or disposal residue sticks to the grease, and eventually flow through the pipes is constricted.
To prevent clogs in kitchen drains always dispose of fats and grease by pouring into a can and tossing it in the trash. Pouring grease down the drain is asking for trouble, but if a blockage does develop, there are still many do-it-yourself options available for clearing the clog.
The other common drain in home kitchens carries wastewater away from the dishwashing machine. To prevent clogs in drains from older model dishwashers, scraping and pre-rinsing of dishes is advised. Newer model dishwashers will be attached to the nearby garbage disposal, and will be able to handle larger particles of waste, but plates should still be scraped before placing in the dishwasher.
Laundry drains, shop sink drains, floor drains, pool drains and the like fall in to the category of utility drains. Each of these will have particular expectations about what it can carry away.
To prevent clogs in utility drains, they should always be properly assembled. Cover all open drains with attached strainers to prevent solid objects from falling in. Floor drains should have backflow prevention devices installed in addition to protective straining plates.
Also common in the same area as laundry machines or work sinks are floor drains. These are some of the least used but most important drains in the home. Floor drains generally exist for the purpose of flood prevention–they allow water in the area to drain away. But when floor drains fall into disrepair through damage or neglected upkeep, they may not function properly. When this happens water can not only be prevented from flowing away, but in worst case scenarios can even back up from the sewer into the building, causing flooding and potentially destroying property. For this reason, floor and even patio drains should be equipped with well maintained backflow prevention valves.
No other room has more drains than the bathroom. A typical bathroom will have a lavatory basin drain, a shower or bathtub drain, and perhaps the most important drain in the house, the toilet.
Shower drains must have straining plates in place to prevent objects like bottle caps and soap shards from falling in. Longer hair can also build up and slow the drain over time. Plates will prevent this by catching much of the debris for easy removal.
Tubs and bathroom sinks will have stopper assemblies. Their design will differ, but most work by means of a linked leverage to raise and lower the stopper device. This linkage assembly will serve the purpose of a strainer, and catch quite a bit of debris which will build up over time.
Why Hiring A Licensed Plumber Is A Good Idea
Hiring a plumber can be a complicated experience. Oftentimes, it’s an emergency and you need one fast. You don’t necessarily have time to call friends for advice and recommendations, or even call multiple plumbers. What should you look for when looking for a plumber?
A Licensed Plumber - A lot of people don’t even know that there are licensed and unlicensed plumbers, but there are - and the difference can be critical to getting a job completed in a well-done and timely manner. One that is licensed can cost more, but sometimes spending a little more up front can save you big time in the long run. Here are some things to consider and why you should hire a licensed plumber for your next plumbing repair job.
A Plumber with a License is Well-Trained - The certification process is detailed and extensive. It is not a simple matter of just paying for a short course and getting a piece of paper. A licensed plumber is a well-trained, well-educated contractor. They are required to take hundreds of hours of school and must train with a licensed plumber for as long as five years in some states. Hiring someone fully licensed as a plumber will have the experience needed to deal with any job.
A Plumber with a License Will Save You Money - An unlicensed plumber may seem like a deal at first, but a plumber that is licensed will save you more money in the long run by doing the job right, doing it with the right tools, and doing it with quality parts. If you hire an unlicensed plumber, you may well end up having to hire a licensed plumber to fix the work after all.
A Plumber with a License is Insured - If, for whatever reason, a mistake or accident happens on the job, a licensed plumber will have the insurance and workman’s compensation in place to cover the costs. With an unlicensed plumber, you will more likely than not be responsible for covering any damage or medical bills.
A Plumber with a License Plays by the Rules - A licensed plumber is to adhere to rules and regulations in order to remain certified. This is particularly important if you are constructing a new home or expanding your current home under code. By hiring a plumber that is licensed, you can be assured that he or she won’t cut corners and that you will get a job that is done up to code.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6463489
