Whether you are buying a water heater for the first time, or replacing an old hot water heater, there are some factors that you definitely should keep in mind when shopping, such as:
How much room do you have in the space where you will be installing the water heater?
You want to make sure that you don’t buy a water heater that is too large to fit in the space you have available. So, it would be good to measure the space available and bring these measurements with you when you are shopping for the new water heater.
Does your water heater need to be electric, gas, or propane?
You can choose between an electric water heater or a gas water heater and they are not interchangeable. So, be sure the unit you buy is designed to work with your energy source.
Choose a water heater that is Energy Efficient.
A very high percentage of a Tacoma household’s energy costs go toward heating the family’s hot water. The average family uses an amazing amount of hot water. Twenty five percent or more of a family’s energy expenses come from just the cost of running the hot water heater. Therefore, when you are selecting which hot water heater to buy, it makes a lot of sense to buy the most energy efficient model possible. Even if this efficient model costs a little bit more in the beginning, it will save a lot of money in the long run. Most retailers who sell hot water heaters will post a sign on each unit that tells you how much energy it pulls, as well as the average yearly cost of running the unit. This information is called the Energy Factor (EF), which is calculated after a mandatory evaluation done on all water heaters. It takes into account usage, standby loss, insulation, etc. Since the “Energy Star” rating has not yet been applied to hot water heaters, you will want to use the EF (Energy Factor) rating, as well as individual information on energy effectiveness that is posted on each unit. Simply compare numbers from one unit to another.
Choose a water heater with a good warranty.
Because so many manufacturers have cut costs to lower the expense of the manufacturing process, most water heaters today will not last much longer than their warranty. So go for the heater with the longest warranty. But just a long warranty in itself is not a protection. You also have to look at the warranty exclusions. Sometimes these warranties have fine print. So it may look like a great warranty on the outside, but then the fine print could say that the causes of most hot water heater failures are not covered.
Choose the right size of water heater
Finding the right size of water heater to match your family’s needs is important. If you choose a water heater that is too small, you will find that just as you lather up the shampoo in your hair the water turns cold. But if you choose a tank that is way too big, you will have a higher than necessary Tacoma utility bill each month just to heat up the tank. You can ask yourself now if you frequently run out of hot water. If so, then check the size of your current water heater and you will know that you are going to require a larger size. If the size you have now seems to do the job, then ask yourself what your FUTURE needs are. Remember, you are buying one water heater to last several years, so you must consider if the family is going to expand in the future, or if you plan on buying a hot tub, spa, jacuzzi or over-sized bathtub in the future. Are you a laundry heavy family? Any additional future needs must be considered when sizing your hot water heater. Even if there are only 2 of you in the home now, and maybe it’s a 4 bedroom Tacoma home and you have no intention of growing your family or increasing your water needs, it is always recommended that you size the water heater for the house, in case you ever decide in the future to sell this home. An undersized tank on a house would not be desirable as a selling point and may even prevent the home from passing inspection. All this being said, keep in mind that if you do decide you need a larger water heater, the space where you are going to be putting the tank must be adequate. Hot water heaters range in size from 20 to 80 gallons, but the most common sizes used are 40-50 gallons.
As a general rule of thumb, you can go by the number of people in your Tacoma household to determine the water heater that would most likely be required under normal demand circumstances. Normal demand capacities are based on a home with typical appliances, such as a washing machine, dishwasher, and normal sized bathtubs. It would be considered an extra demand, or more than normal demand, if you had a home with a hot tub, spa, over-sized bathtub, children over the age of twelve (teenagers can use a lot of water), or even small children (large amount of laundry). For a family of 1 or 2, under normal circumstances, a 40 gallon tank should be sufficient. More than normal demand would probably require a 50 gallon tank for 1 or 2 people. If your family has 3 or 4 people, then a 50 gallon tank would usually suffice under normal circumstances. For a greater demand, then a 50 gallon gas water heater would probably still be sufficient, but if your tank is electric, you might consider an 80 gallon heater. Gas heaters are usually able to heat up the water in a tank faster. And, finally, if your family has 5 or more people, then a 50 gallon gas heater is probably still adequate under normal circumstances. If your tank is electric, then an 80 gallon heater would be recommended under normal demand. If you are in a situation where your demand would be more than normal, then go to a 75 gallon gas tank, and perhaps even a 120 gallon electric, if the space you have available for your hot water heater is large enough to accommodate. Remember, you want to buy the water heater that will do the job NOW and in the FUTURE. So keep in mind what your future requirements will be. You may be surprised at how much water on average some everyday activities use:
- Showering – 3 gallons/minute
- Bathing - 15-25 gallons per bath
- Shaving - 1-3 gallons
- Washing hands - 1/2-2 gallons
- Washing dishes - 4-6 gallons
- Running dishwasher - 5-20 gallons
- Running clothes washer - 25-40 gallons
- Cleaning house - 5-12 gallons
- Food preparation - 1-6 gallons
Choose the proper method of installation – Use a Professional Plumber.
Installing the water heater is not a job for the layman. It involves plumbing work, as well as gas or electric work. Mistakes in installation are one of the most common causes of injury and water heater failures, so this job is best left up to your professional Tacoma plumber. Installation also involves knowledge of current local code ordinances to make sure the tank is installed in such a way as to pass those codes for Tacoma. Also, your plumber will be familiar with the water quality of Tacoma and any unique characteristics.
For further direction and guidance, ask a respectable and knowledgeable Tacoma plumber. They will be able to share a wealth of information and make professional recommendations.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Romero
Click here or call 877-694-5176 to schedule an appointment.
It’s hard to believe it, but over 19,000 water heaters are replaced every day. About 7 million heaters end up being tossed out each year in Canada alone. A large city such as Seattle may see several thousand water heaters a year disposed of. Not only are water heaters a common plumbing malfunction, but unfortunately, they can be dangerous when they do malfunction. The Consumer Product Safety Commission recently said that almost every single day someone gets injured or killed from a explosion.
Naturally, then, extending the life of your water heater and preventing any unexpected break downs is a priority. So, first, we need to understand the common causes for problems. The first common problem would have to be sediment build up. Sediment comes from dirt, mineral deposits and rust. This build up of sediments and internal rusting can cause premature death of your device. It can burn out the heating elements and cause overheating. This also results in an increase of unnecessary energy use. Another common cause of rust inside the water heater is hard water. If that is the case, it would be a good idea to call an experienced Seattle plumber for advice and recommendations when selecting your water heater. An experienced plumber in Seattle would be familiar with the quality of the water and would be able to make recommendations as to which water heaters are more likely to resist premature rusting.
The New Mexico State University issued a study where the results showed that water heaters operate 22-30 percent less efficiently when they have hard water scale. The only way to know if your current water heater is collecting minerals and deposits is to call a qualified Seattle plumber and have them come out and inspect your water heater. If sediment is discovered, the plumber will be able to flush out the sediment and give it proper maintenance.
Another common cause for water heater problems is improper water heater installation from the beginning. This could include bad flues, improper clearances, ignoring installation instructions, and disregarding national and local Seattle plumbing safety codes. These instructions and codes are issued for a reason – to make sure the hot water heater operates safety and according to intended operation. Ignoring such instructions and safety codes can be dangerous. The only way to know if your hot water heater is properly installed is to have a qualified Seattle plumber inspect your water heater system for such code violations. It’s also possible that some new code requirements have changed since your water heater was first installed. If this is the case, your plumber can also let you know about these improved codes and what can be done to bring your hot water system up to par. And finally, a fourth cause of water heater malfunction could be external leaks. If, for whatever reason, a leak develops on the outside of the water heater, it oftentimes initiates rusting from the outside in. This destroys a newly installed water heater prematurely. It also can corrode electrical connections and cause a dangerous electrical shock.
Hot water heaters explode every day. Is YOURS a time bomb? Don’t take the chance. Have a qualified Seattle plumber come and perform regular water heater inspections and water heater maintenance for your own peace of mind, safety, and protection from very costly repairs later down the road.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_Romero
Click here or call 877-694-5176 to schedule an appointment.
There are countless ways to lower the costs of energy each and every month in your Tacoma home, but few of these ideas are as simple to implement as just lowering the temperature setting on your home’s water heater. It has been estimated that a homeowner can save as much as five percent on the water heating portion of their utility bill for every ten degrees that they lower the water heater temperature setting.
Some manufacturers ship out their units with a temperature setting of 140 degrees Fahrenheit. While this will deliver some seriously hot water for your use, it is probably higher than most Tacoma homes need and will waste a lot of energy in the process of heating it. Most homes function just fine at a setting of 120 degrees Fahrenheit and this is a pretty good guide for you to follow. If you find that your needs are not being met at this setting, you can always change it back. There is one caveat to this bit of advice is that if you are using a dishwasher in your home that does not have a built-in water heating booster, you may not get the best cleaning at a lower setting and have no real choice but to leave the setting at 140 degrees Fahrenheit.
Every water heater is different and you will need to read your owner’s manual for the details of how to make this temperature adjustment to your particular unit. You can also ask your Tacoma plumbing contractor, who will certainly make the adjustment for you if you are uncomfortable. As a general rule, gas and electric units will have the thermostats located in different areas. You will usually be able to locate the thermostat dial near the gas valve for gas-powered water heaters that utilize a tank design for holding water. Electric water heaters will often have the thermostat located in an area that is protected by an access panel that requires a screwdriver to access. Some electric-powered units could even have two temperature control units, one for each of the heating elements in the unit.
If you decide to experiment with your thermostat settings, be sure to do so in a safe manner. Before beginning any adjustments, make sure that the power to the unit has been turned off. You risk serious injury if you start making adjustments to a unit that has electricity powered on.
One thing you will need to do is test the setting after you make an adjustment. The dials on most Tacoma water heaters do not have a good track record of accuracy. So, be sure to go to a faucet or shower as far away from the unit as you can find and see if the water feels hot enough. If not, make another slight adjustment to the thermostat and test again until you get the desired temperature.
As you can see, making a change to your water heater thermostat is not too big of a project and can easily be done by just about everyone. You don’t need to be a DIY whiz to be able to save energy and money without sacrificing comfort.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lonnie_Rakestraw
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So you’re taking a shower and just when you are about to rinse the soap from your face, the water gets bone-chillingly cold! How many times has this happened to you? Running out of hot water when it is needed is a common problem with traditional water heaters, you might think that this can easily be remedied by switching to a new heater with a larger capacity tank, but the truth is that even big tanks will run out of water eventually, bigger tanks also cost a lot of money. The real solution to this dilemma is to replace your old water heater and try one of those new Tacoma tankless water heaters.
Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters over Traditional Ones
- Energy Saving – Traditional water heaters need to constantly heat up a water tank so that there is always hot water ready, the water gets heated up even if you don’t need it, and if you run it, a lot of energy needs to be used to heat up all the water in the tank. With tankless water heaters, you save on energy because it only heats the water when it is needed; it shuts off automatically when it is not needed.
- They last longer than traditional water heaters – Because tankless water heaters heat up the water as they pass through it, no mineral deposits will accumulate in the pipes due to stagnant water. If you buy a reputable brand of tankless water heater, they can last for up to 20 years without the need to have it replaced. Unlike traditional water heaters that need to have periodic maintenance and is constantly in need of repairs.
- They save on space – Traditional water heaters need to have a large space because of the water tank. If you have a small home then finding a place for it can be tough. Finding enough space is not a problem with tankless water heaters, since they are usually only the size of a medicine cabinet, they can be conveniently placed under the bathroom sink.
- They are safer – Tankless water heaters come with a built-in thermostat so that you can set how hot the water will be heated. This is good for families that have small children as they won’t get scalded by overly hot water like in traditional heaters.
Even though tankless water heaters have these many advantages, there is still one thing that makes people shy away from buying these types of water heaters, and that is the high price. Typically, a good tankless water heater costs as much as three times that of a traditional water heating system, and not a lot of people would want to spend that much money on hot water. But if you think about it, because tankless water heaters can save on energy and is relatively maintenance-free you will be saving a lot of money in the long run.
So if you’re tired of all the hassles that traditional water heaters have, then go tankless!
When water is heated, the calcium carbonate present in it gets precipitated and settles down. When this happens inside your hot water heater, it leads to a buildup of sediments inside the water tank. If there is any sand or other particulate matter present in the water, it can also pile up inside the tank.
Sediment buildup is generally a very slow process, but if you live in an area where the water is very hard, your water heater can get filled up really fast. If your heater is all filled up with sediment, you might not get sufficient hot water flow or it might not be at the desired temperature. The best way to avoid this is to have the heater flushed out at regular intervals.
Another common problem with Tacoma water heaters, both propane and electric is that of the appliance running out of hot water quickly or only supplying warm water. This issue might be on account of a broken or leaking dip tube or a burnt out heating element. The dip tube is a small plastic tube that allows cold water to flow into the bottom of the tank.
If this dip tube is broken, the hot and cold water will mix and you will only get warm water. This issue can be easily and quickly resolved by having the dip tube replaced. However, if your heater has a defective thermostat or the heating element has burned out, it might need bigger repairs or a complete replacement.
Some heaters that work on propane gas often make sounds when the temperature rises. This is generally on account of a build up on sediment at the bottom of the water tank. As the water heats up, steam bubbles form under the sediment and then rise through it to escape to the top of the water tank. Again, the issue can be resolved by flushing out the heater completely.
A major issue that plagues many Tacoma water heaters is that of pressure buildup. When water gets heated inside the heater, it expands. All heaters have a pressure reducing valve or check valve to allow this pressure to be released. But if this valve is blocked due to any reason, the pressure can rise quickly. If left unchecked, the pressure might rise to a level where the heater bursts.
To control this pressure you can have a temperature-pressure valve or a thermal expansion tank installed on your inlet line. This would allow the pressure to be released without any cause for concern. The temperature-pressure valve is a sensitive device that has a life-span of just about two years. If you water heater has such a valve, you should get it checked and replaced periodically.
Tankless heaters in Tacoma that do not store water for heating are also good alternatives as these would not have any chances of the pressure going out of control. Such heaters have direct vents for water inlet and outlet and the water flows through the heating element, which gets it heated.
Hot water heaters are mechanical and electrical devices and all devices can develop problems over time. This does not mean they should be replaced immediately. Most issues can be resolved by taking minor precautions. All it requires is a bit of understanding and care.
Picture the scene, it’s a cold winter’s morning you step out of your robe and into warm embrace of a hot shower. You feel more alive as the water runs over your body and the steam starts to fill the room, then the water runs cold. Your day is literally ruined, and forget about anyone else in the house being able to enjoy the luxury. There’s nothing worse than not being able to finish a shower. I suppose if you have the cash it’s an easy problem to fix, you can just buy a large geyser system. However, if you don’t have that kind of funding available to solve the drama there might just be another way and the tankless water heater is your solution.
The Tacoma tankless hot water heater quite simply stated, heats water at your demand. How does it work?. As opposed to the traditional conventional heater that stores hot water in a tank, a tankless water heater operates by heating water as it passes through the pipes in the unit.
There are pros and cons to consider before you invest in a piece of equipment such as a tankless hot water heater. Let’s talk about those and think about them before you make a decision about purchasing this equipment.
A tankless hot water heater has several basic advantages.
- Firstly you will never have to worry about your morning shower running cold as the system provides hot water instantly and for as long as you require. It also uses a lot less energy and lasts for a long time unlike a geyser system.
Did you know that your geyser is responsible for a large portion of your electricity bill? You see, if the geyser is switched on then it will be working and heating water, even if you’re not home. What a waste of money and resources! Now this type of water heater only heats the water on your demand therefore it doesn’t waste any energy while you’re at work or on vacation. The amount you will save on your monthly bill will also depend upon your consumption of hot water, but if you are like most full-time working people and only use hot water in the morning and evening, then you can expect your energy bill to reduce quite substantially.
- A Tacoma tankless hot water heater does not suffer from mineral build up in the system and if you spend a little money and buy a decent brand then you can expect a lifespan on a system to be 20 years or more without your equipment having to be repaired or replaced.
This means that your unit should last a good time. The average regular water heater will last anywhere from ten to twenty years. The range of years is caused by the quality of your local water, the quality of the water heater, and how well you maintain it. a tankless unit needs very little maintenance since they don’t hold water. An electric tankless water heater can last from twenty to thirty years, or sometimes more.
Although the above may sound great there is a high initial cost that you would have to outlay. The systems are generally much more expensive than ordinary water heating systems but you must remember that the offsets in the above-mentioned pros will eventually recover your investment in the long-term.
My name is Rob Hanson and I’m the owner of Rooter-Man. I would like to take this opportunity to let you know how much we at Rooter-Man value you as a customer. Please Call Us Today at (866) 700-5435