5 Fuel Types That Are Used To Power Water Heaters

One of the most important considerations when buying a water heater is the type of energy or fuel it will use. There are several factors that come into play when thinking about the fuel type of a water heater. For starters, you have to consider the availability of that type of fuel — relative to your locality and the specific installation needs. Secondly, you need to consider the cost of that energy type and compare it with other energy options relative to the initial cost and subsequent operating costs. Finally, the type of fuel will determine the energy efficiency of the water heater; and hence will play a huge role in your decision regarding the size of the water heater you are going to buy.

With all these factors in mind, you might need some assistance when shopping for a new or replacement water heater in your locality. Contact and consult any reliable plumber that provides DC emergency plumbing services and water heater repair and installation services for an informed discussion on this issue. Start by comparing the energy efficiency and resultant operating costs of all the fuel types available in your area. For instance, you will find that an electric heat pump water heater is usually more energy efficient and hence cheaper to operate than an electric or a gas-fired conventional storage water heater. This is despite the fact that local natural gas costs are typically cheaper than electricity. To start with, you need basic knowledge regarding the most common fuel types that are available for water heaters in the United States today.

 

Electricity

 

This is the most widely distributed energy source for water heaters in the U.S. Electricity is used to power most types of water heaters including conventional storage, tankless, and heat pump water heaters. Moreover, electricity is also used to power combination water and AC systems, such as tankless coil and indirect water heaters. Although you might focus only on the construction types of water heaters, you should also consider the local fuel costs and rates before making a decision.

 

 

Fuel Oil

 

This energy source is available in select areas of the United States. Fuel oil is used to power conventional storage water heaters and indirect combination water and space heating systems. Before going any further with this option, you should start by inquiring its availability in the region where you want to install the water heater.

 

Geothermal Energy

 

Geothermal energy is available throughout the United States in homes that use geothermal heat pump AC systems. These systems draw heat from the ground during winter and from indoor air during summer to warm and cool the house. To heat water, geothermal heat pump AC systems are fitted with specially designed heat exchangers. This energy source is suitable for powering tankless or demand-type water heaters during the summer and conventional storage water heaters during the colder winter, spring, and fall seasons.

 

Natural Gas And Propane

 

Natural gas and propane are available in many areas of the United States. They are used to power conventional storage and tankless/instantaneous water heaters. They can also be used to fuel combination water and AC systems, such as tankless coil and indirect water heaters.

 

Solar

 

Like electricity, solar energy is available throughout the United States; however, it is most abundant in the Southwest. Ranked among the most energy efficient water heaters, solar is used to power solar water heaters. Although it’s clean, free and renewable, it requires substantial initial costs.

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3 Important Service Qualities To Look For In A Commercial Plumber

Although you might not realize it, plumbers are an integral cog in the functional system of any home or business. Plumbers nurture, treat and safeguard the supply and disposal system of any home or business. Considering the importance and sensitivity of a typical plumbing system, you should be very careful when hiring a plumber for any type of service call. You should especially be careful when hiring a commercial plumber to cater for your corporate or institutional plumbing needs. Typically, plumbers service two types of clients: residential and commercial clients. Most well established plumbers serve both types of clients but some small-timers cater for only residential clients. Commercial clients include business, corporate, and institutional types of organizations.

Expectedly, commercial clients require resource intensive plumbing solutions; and hence commercial plumbers must have adequate financial, logistical and infrastructural resources to enhance their performance.  In addition to the normal factors that must be considered when hiring any plumber, such as experience, reputation and licensing, commercial plumbers should be vetted for the following important service qualities.

 

 

 

Upfront Pricing

 

Before hiring a commercial plumber, you should inquire or research about their pricing policy. The most recommended pricing policy is the upfront quotation policy. The upfront pricing policy simply means that a plumber has to explain everything that is going to be done and what it will cost to the client before starting to work on any plumbing project. For instance, if you invite a local plumber, who provides DC commercial plumbing services, to your business premises for a pipe leakage repair or any other project, he/she should assess the problem and then explain the solution both technically and financially. In upfront pricing, the professional plumber should explain the most optimal plumbing solution to the client — clearly and satisfactorily.

 

Number And Type Of Services Offered

 

Commercial plumbers are either hired on a temporary contract basis or under a full time contract arrangement. In order to avoid unnecessary hassles and inconveniences during plumbing emergencies and also to ensure regular plumbing inspections and maintenance schedules on their premises, some organizations retain the services of a professional plumbing company throughout. Whether it’s a temporary or full time engagement, you should always consider the list of services offered by the plumber to ensure that all your service needs and preferences are included. In any case, it is always advisable to choose a commercial plumber, who provides the most extensive list of services, to avoid performance disappointments and costly last minute rushes. You should also evaluate the types of services offered by a specific commercial plumber. By studying the service roster, you will also be able to gauge the plumber’s professional experience and competence, especially in dealing with other commercial clients like yourself.

 

Emergency Services

 

Plumbing problems can occur at any time, any day and at any place. Some of these problems require immediate or urgent remedies, otherwise the subsequent losses due to physical damages and work site disruptions can be monumental. For instance, a sewer line can burst at an office building at midnight on a weekend. If the problem is not fixed immediately, the premises can incur significant damages and people might not be able to work there the following week. To ensure that you are protected against such unprecedented calamities, you should hire a commercial plumber who offers 24/7 emergency plumbing services. Such plumbers respond to a plumbing crisis immediately and they do not charge extra for after-hours service calls.

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4 Most Common Types Of Sewer Drain Services

Inarguably, sewer drain problems are some of the most sensitive and intensive undertakings in the plumbing industry. Compared to other routine plumbing tasks, such as supply pipe leakages or fixture installation, sewer drain problems require immense expertise and significant resources to resolve satisfactorily. Basically, sewer drain services span three main areas: sewer line installation, maintenance and repair. Expectedly, plumbing companies that provide residential and commercial sewer drain services are well equipped, adequately staffed, and highly experienced in such issues. If you have a sewer line problem, you should be very careful when hiring a plumber to fix it. Search for a reliable plumber offering sewer services in DC and research his/her background information to assess the experience, competence and industry reputation. Incidentally, there are four main types of sewer services that you should consider before hiring a plumber.

 

Sewer Camera Inspection

 

Modern technological breakthroughs in various industries have simplified jobs and created a better working environment for everyone. The plumbing industry has not lagged behind technologically. Modern plumbers are using high tech equipment to handled seemingly impossible tasks, such as underground sewer line inspections. A sewer system requires regular inspection and maintenance. However, the sewer system, especially the sewer lines, is the most inaccessible and obscure section of the entire plumbing system. This is because the largest section runs several feet underground; and hence it is quite impossible to inspect the sewer lines thoroughly using normal methods. Luckily, modern plumbers use high tech cameras for sewer line inspections. Using these high tech gadgets, professional plumbers are able to produce detailed video surveys showing the condition of any sewer system. From checking the materials used to construct the sewer lines like cast iron, tar paper, PVC or ceramic to assessing whether the lines are installed properly, sewer camera inspections provide invaluable sewer line maintenance information.

 

Sewer Drain Cleaning

 

 

 

Sewer drain cleaning is one of the most common plumbing tasks. Sewer drains are easily clogged due to several possible reasons including poor household disposal habits, grunge buildup, and underground root damage. Sewer drain problems can range in seriousness from minor clogs that can be resolved with simple DIY fixes to major sewer line backups that require specialized skills and equipment to fix. Professional plumbers offer sewer drain cleaning services either as regular sewer line maintenance services or under their routine plumbing service calls. In either case, these companies use recommended drain cleaning solutions like enzyme drain cleaners; thereby ensuring safety and satisfactory service provision.

 

Sewer Main Replacement/Repair

 

Sewer main line repair and replacement is ranked among the biggest and most challenging plumbing jobs. Sewer lines are usually buried several feet below the ground, sometimes under various structures like buildings and roads. For this task, a plumber requires the right equipment and manpower to dig up the sewer lines, prepare the tunnels for replacement or laying down the repaired pipes, and then bury the pipes back and leave the site just as it was (or even better) before the work.

 

Sewer Line Installation

 

Finally, there are the sewer line installation services. Regarded as one of the most resource intensive and sensitive services, sewer line installations are done by the crème de la crème in the plumbing industry. The sewer lines must be installed properly to ensure proper functionality, otherwise the client risks damages worth a lot of money and ugly inconveniences. Therefore, hire a highly experienced plumber for this task, preferably one with up-to-date knowledge of zoning and safety codes and is experienced in dealing with building inspectors and acquiring permits.

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3 Most Common Types Of Emergency Plumbing Problems

Plumbing emergencies are some of the scariest system malfunctions that you will ever experience. Plumbing emergencies can affect any part of the plumbing system and they can occur at any time of the day, any day of the week. Responsible for some of the most frantic service calls in any household, plumbing emergencies can cause messy inconveniences and extensive and costly damages in a residential or commercial setting. Most plumbers, who offer both residential and commercial services in a professional capacity, advertise emergency plumbing services as part of their service offerings. Typically, emergency plumbing services refer to conditional service calls that are placed to plumbing companies requesting immediate deployment of plumbing technicians to a client’s home or premises to fix an abrupt crisis regardless of the time of day or day of the week — and at no extra cost. There are many types of plumbing crises that can force you to call a DC emergency plumber in the wee hours of the night. Some of the most common include the following.

 

Leaks

 

Leaks can occur in any plumbing appliance or installation including fixtures, water heater systems, pipes, or even the sewer lines. The most common leaks that can cause you to request for emergency plumbing services past midnight on a weekend are pipe leakages. If ignored, leaking pipes can become burst pipes, especially if the water pressure is high. Pipe leaks can be caused by many different incidents including accidental damage when fixing nails into a wall to hang stuff, old age and wear, poor maintenance. To avoid an adrenaline-filled experience following an emergency pipe burst, you should inspect your piping network regularly. Consider both the interior and exterior pipes and check for “sweating” walls and floors for signs of internal pipe leakages. Fix the pipe leakage as soon as possible to avoid water loss and prevent pipe bursts.

 

Water Heater Problems

 

 

 

Water heaters are sensitive and functional plumbing installations that can turn out to be quite hazardous if handled carelessly and left unmaintained for long. Old water heaters are especially prone to dramatic stalls, leakages, and emergency malfunctions. A malfunctioning water heater can cause you to skip vital business meetings because you cannot take a cold shower in the freezing winter season. Water heaters, particularly gas and electric-fired models, can be quite hazardous if they are denied proper maintenance. They can shock people or even short electric systems if they are neglected and left to “rot” for too long. If you are dealing with such a water heater, do not hesitate to call an emergency plumber as soon as possible.

 

Drain Cleaning Problems

 

Clogged drains and sewer backups are some of the most common plumbing problems in a typical American household. Poor garbage disposal habits coupled with a variety of other causes like root pipe damage and grime buildup can cause drains to get clogged intermittently. Simple clogging problems can be resolved quickly using various DIY fixes, such as using a plunger or hot water to flush the blocked drainage pipes. However, serious drain clogs require expert skills and special equipment to fix. If you try the usual DIY unclogging fixes only to discover that the situation is deteriorating instead of improving, call an emergency plumber immediately. You will save yourself a lot of trouble in terms of unforeseen complications, unnecessary inconveniences, and costly repairs by doing so.

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Pros And Cons Of Using Conventional Storage Water Heaters

Water heaters are some of the most vital plumbing systems in any home or office. They are functional systems that heat cold water ensuring that all the basic hot water needs, such as showering and cleaning, are met satisfactorily. Obviously, you should choose the most befitting type or model of a water heater depending on your specific hot water needs and preferences as a homeowner or business owner. Conventional storage water heaters are still the most popular heating systems for the home. They are also very common in commercial and corporate settings. Basically, conventional storage water heaters consist of a heating element and a storage reservoir that holds hot water throughout. Storage water heaters are powered by various energy sources including natural gas, fuel oil, electricity, and propane. Before you learn about the advantages and disadvantages of using conventional storage water heaters, you need to know how they work.

 

How They Work

 

Conventional storage water heaters produce hot water from the top of the storage tank upon turning on the hot water tap. Consequently, cold water flows into the bottom of the storage tank; thereby refilling the reservoir automatically. Because the system maintains a steady supply of hot water, storage water heaters are characterized by energy loss in the form of standby heat loss. Although they are relatively easy to acquire and install, storage water heaters require regular inspection and maintenance to enhance performance. For instance, the storage tank should be flushed with water regularly to remove sediments and the temperature and pressure valves should be inspected for damage every few months.

 

 

 

Pros

 

The first advantage of installing a conventional storage water heater system is that it requires very low initial costs. Compared to other water heaters, storage water heaters are the most affordable models in the market today; hence their popularity. Secondly, storage water heaters are very easy to install. Before you purchase any type of water, it is advisable to consult a reliable plumber in your locality for professional advice on the project. Even if you are getting a heater for your business or company, discuss the acquisition and installation details with any professional DC commercial plumber before implementing the project. Conventional storage water heaters also allow for multiple/simultaneous use of hot water at home. These models are simple, reliable and very versatile to install. Finally, storage heaters are long lasting because they have no fans or pumps that can get worn out with time.

 

Cons

 

The main setback of using conventional storage water heaters is that they are highly inefficient in terms of energy usage. Unlike tankless water heaters, storage water heaters are plagued by standby heat loss problems; whereby energy is wasted even when the hot tap is shut off. As such, they are very expensive to operate and maintain. Actually, even the cheapest storage heaters might turn out to be the most expensive when their operating and maintenance costs are factored in. To mitigate this energy loss, modern conventional storage water heaters have thickly insulated tanks and pipes and motorized dampers. Gas and oil storage water heaters feature special modifications to reduce standby heat loss. They have venting modifications, such as the fan-assisted gas water heaters and the atmospheric sealed-combustion water heaters, which ensure minimal energy loss.

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3 DIY Tasks That Should Be Done Before A Plumbing Service Call

Many homeowners incur high service charges due to poor planning and preparation before a service call. Typically, plumbers charge by the hour, which means that the plumber is paid for every hour he/she spends at the client’s home or premises. However, some of these chargeable hours are actually wasted on relatively mundane tasks that can be handled quite easily by the client before the plumber even arrives. These are simple DIY worksite preparation tasks that require common sense rather than expertise, but which can end up saving you a great deal of money on a service call. Before discussing these DIY tasks, it is important to review the buildup to a plumbing service call. Whether it’s an emergency service call like a backed up sewer system or water heater repair or a big project call like a bathroom renovation undertaking, there are things that should always be done before the plumber arrives. First of all, you should always inspect and assess the magnitude of the plumbing problem before calling in a professional plumber. In this way, you will be able to ascertain whether you really need the services of a professional plumber or if a simple DIY fix will resolve the issue. If the problem is serious enough to warrant a service call, such as a sewer line problem, you can then contact any expert plumber offering DC sewer services for assistance. However, you must do the following things before the plumber arrives — to save time and reduce the service charge.

 

Clear The Worksite

 

One of the most important things that should be done before the plumber arrives is to clear out the plumbing area to enable the plumber to work quickly and efficiently. Some plumbing areas are usually cluttered with various household items, such as utensils near and around the sink or home items by the water heater worksite. Although it’s normal to store or place various items near these areas on ordinary days, it is imperative that you remove any unnecessary items from a faulty plumbing section before the plumber comes. Otherwise you will waste precious moments, which could be used to handle the actual plumbing problem, clearing the plumbing site with the professional plumber(s). In order to reduce the billable hours, ensure that the plumber has ample room to work and to store plumbing tools and to place removed faulty parts and even replacement parts before they are installed.

 

 

 

Turn Off The Electricity

 

Some serious plumbing issues necessitate that the entire home electric system be shut off at the mains, such as a seriously malfunctioning water heater system. Other problems require that the electric connection to a particular area or appliance be shut off at the breaker box, such as a hot tub installation. Depending on the nature of the plumbing problem, you should always turn of the power source of an electric-powered device or system. Switching off the electricity in a faulty system will not only save the plumber time, it will also ensure safety at home.

 

Shut-Off The Water

 

Almost all plumbing problems are water-related. As such, the first thing that should be done before the plumber arrives is to turn off the water at the main shut-off valve. Typically, the main shut-off is usually located near the water meter. By turning off the water, you will mitigate the physical damage that might occur due to the plumbing fault, such as leaking pipes, and also save time for the plumber.  If there are no leaks or floods occurring, at least locate and know where the shut-off valve is so if the plumber needs it turned off, you are prepared.

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Pros And Cons Of Installing A Solar Water Heating System

Solar energy is one of the most appealing fuel types in the world. In these times when global warming is a reality and human driven climate change is evident, all renewable energy sources are winning the hearts of all. From individual homeowners to environmentalists, solar is currently regarded among the topmost green solutions that can help realize environmental sustainability.

Solar energy or fuel is used to power solar water heaters. Basically, a typical solar water heater includes a storage tank and a collector. The collector traps sunshine and uses it to heat the water in a storage tank. Solar is clean, renewable and free — literally a godsend for everyone. Solar is available throughout the United Sates, but it’s mostly abundant in the Southwest. Solar water heating systems can be installed in any climatic region. If you wish to learn some basic operating facts about solar water heating systems and the benefits and limitations of adopting such systems in your home, just continue reading.

 

About Solar Water Heaters

 

There are two basic types of solar water heating systems: active and passive. Active solar water heating systems have circulating pumps and controls but passive systems have none of these things. Active solar water heating systems are further subdivided into two categories: direct and indirect circulation systems. In a direct circulation system, a pump circulates water through collectors into the household — it’s suitable for climatic regions that are not prone to freezing. In an indirect circulation system, a pump circulates an antifreeze heat-transfer fluid through the collectors and a heat exchanger; thereby heating the water and supplying it into the home — suitable for climatic regions prone to freezing.

Passive solar water heater systems are relatively cheap as compared to active models. Also, they are usually considered more reliable and long lasting. There are two main types of passive solar heaters: integral collector-storage passive systems for warmer climates and thermosyphon systems for colder areas. Depending on your location and financial resources, you can choose the most suitable solar water heating system from these options. If you need assistance, consult any professional plumbing company in DC for reliable advice on these choices.

 

Pros

 

The first and most important advantage of installing solar water heating systems is that they are highly energy efficient. Solar heaters are considered to be about 50% more energy efficient than gas and electric-powered water heaters. As such, solar models require lower operating costs and hence offer more energy savings.

Also, solar heaters can be installed anywhere, in any climatic region. Unlike some of the other energy sources, solar energy or sunshine is available throughout the United States; it’s also free, clean and renewable.

Cons

 

 

 

The main disadvantage of solar water heating systems is their high initial costs. Solar systems require collectors and specially designed storage tanks, both of these installations cost a lot of money. As such solar water heating systems are quite expensive to purchase and install. However, solar models have significantly lower operating and maintenance costs. The subsequent annual energy savings will offset the initial costs and leave the homeowner with substantial earnings. Also, in a bid to encourage solar adoption, the federal and state governments offer various financial incentives on solar purchases. The second disadvantage of using solar water heating systems is that they may not sustain your household’s hot water needs on cloudy days or during peak usage times — you may need a backup system in such cases.

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Advantages And Disadvantages Of Using Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, provide hot water according to household needs. As the name suggests, tankless water heaters do not have a reservoir or storage tank for holding hot water. As such, these heaters are rated highly in terms of energy efficiency because they have no standby heat loss problems. They are usually electric or gas powered and they provide a constant supply of hot water because you do not have to wait for the reservoir to fill up before usage. In addition to the conventional household usage, tankless heaters are also recommended for remote bathrooms or hot tubs, as boosters for appliances, and as backups for solar water heating systems. Like all the other types of water heater systems, tankless models also have their own advantages and disadvantages. Read on and learn more details about how they work and their pros and cons.

 

Design And Operation

 

Tankless water heaters do not have a storage tank for hot water. Instead, cold water flows into the heating unit once the hot water tap is turned on. The water is heated instantaneously by a gas or electric element and then produced at the tap for usage. Because of the absence of a reservoir, the flow rate in these models depends on the water heater’s output. Typically, electric-powered heaters have lower flow rates than gas models. Before buying a tankless water heater, consider the size relative to your household’s hot water needs, initial purchase and installation costs, fuel type and availability, and energy efficiency.

 

Advantages

 

The most significant advantage of using tankless water heaters is that they are quite energy efficient. As compared to conventional storage models, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient because they have no standby heat loss. Although they have higher initial purchase and installation costs than storage heaters, tankless models have lower operating costs and usually last longer — their spare parts are also hardy and durable. Therefore, the cumulative energy savings and the extended lifespan could potentially offset the initial costs and leave some long-term earnings for the owner. However, some gas-fired models can incur additional standby energy losses due to the presence of a pilot light. Modern models feature various modifications to mitigate energy loss in this manner. Contact any professional plumber, who provides the following services, DC plumbing repairs and installations, and confirm all the aforementioned qualities before opting for either of the two models.

Another advantage of tankless water heaters is that they are relatively small and can be placed on the wall; thereby freeing up floor space. The last pro of this model is that it maintains a constant flow of hot water without running out.

 

Disadvantages

 

Tankless water heaters require significant initial purchase costs; thus you need adequate funds to finance the project. Secondly, even the largest models cannot supply enough hot water to sustain simultaneous, multiple uses in large households. As such, you might be required to install two or more tankless water heaters, either in parallel or separately, to furnish all your household’s hot water needs. Considering the initial cost of one water heater, this can be quite costly. Tankless water heaters usually take a brief lag time to fire up the burners and heat the water to the required temperature. Finally, these water heaters require special maintenance activities to remove scale and enhance energy efficiency.

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3 Eco-Friendly Elements Of A Green Kitchen

As the world continues to largely ignore the costly repercussions of environmental pollution, all homeowners should take it upon themselves to promote environmental conservation. In this scary era of indiscriminately melting glaciers and unpredictable climatic conditions, all people are responsible for the health of this planet. Even as we continue to watch and listen disgustedly as unscrupulous corporate polluters peddle selfish lies and deny unquestionable facts regarding the horrors of reckless pollution, improvident resource wastage and the never-ending environmental encroachment, hope in the conscientious individual is still rife and sublime. As such, you should always ensure that all your plumbing endeavors and home remodeling projects feature progressive words like “sustainable home makeovers,” “green plumbing solutions/ideas,” “eco-friendly plumbing practices,” “home energy efficiency” and “recycled plumbing materials” among others. This is just the first step towards creating a healthier home and a sustainable planet. You can start experiencing this sustainable ideology by implementing the following green ideas into your DC kitchen remodeling project.

 

 

Energy Efficient Appliances

 

In addition to providing cooking space for your family, the kitchen is also responsible for “roasting” your wallet by contributing a huge chunk of your energy bill. Kitchen appliances, especially refrigerators and other energy consumers like ovens, microwaves, and dishwashers account for the second highest energy needs in a typical household, losing out to heating and cooling equipment only. You can decrease energy use in your kitchen by buying energy efficient appliances. Choose appliances that have been approved under the Energy Star program of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Such appliances use less energy and water than standard models; and hence ensure significant energy savings for you.

 

Recycled Materials

 

Although not entirely untrue, the prevailing notion that eco-friendly products and materials are drab, costly and hard to source is very off-putting and has undermined sustainable efforts for a long time. For starters, although some green materials have high initial costs, the subsequent savings on energy efficiency can potentially offset the upfront margin and leave you substantial “gains” in the long run. Also, nowadays there are many different types of eco-friendly materials and products. They come in many fascinating styles and are offered at varying price ranges to suit all budget sizes. In a kitchen makeover project, you can use stylish recycled or rapidly renewable materials to enhance the green philosophy. For instance, you can use recycled glass tiles for your kitchen walls’ backsplash. These tiles are unique, elegant, easy to get, durable and easy to clean.

 

Eco-Friendly Installations

 

In addition to enhancing energy efficiency and using renewable remodeling materials, you can also buy installations with low environmental impact for your kitchen. Use eco-friendly countertops, cabinets, flooring and finishes to enhance environmental conservation and to curb pollution. You can also focus on improving the kitchen’s insulation by installing thermally efficient doors and windows to prevent heat and energy loss from the kitchen. In addition to cutting down on your energy bill and promoting a healthier planet, these installations will offer you and your household significant health benefits. Apparently, the kitchen produces a sizable share of indoor air pollution. From cooking fumes to poisonous gases from flooring, paints, cabinets and countertops, the kitchen is as hazardous as they come. For instance, chemical-based wood preservatives, paints and finishes produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for various short-term and long-term health problems including ear, nose, and throat (ENT) irritations and even cancer. Use environmentally safe paints, cabinets, countertops and flooring that are VOC-free to keep your kitchen safe and your household healthy.

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Benefits And Limitations Of Using Heat Pump Water Heaters

Nowadays there are so many different types and models of water heaters in the market. Therefore, choosing a good water heater for your situation and requirements can be quite taxing and tedious, especially if you do not have the necessary know-how about the features and functionality of each type. Basically, water heaters are classified according to their make and energy source. The most common types include conventional storage, tankless or demand-type, heat pump, solar, and tankless coil and indirect water heaters. Depending on your hot water needs, you can reap various benefits and suffer various limitations from each of these models. In this instance, you will learn about the pros and cons of using heat pump water heaters. However, it is important to understand the working mechanism of this type of water heater.

 

Working Mechanism

 

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to suck heat from their surroundings and dump it into a water tank. Essentially, they work like refrigerators in reverse — without directly generating any heat. Typically, heat pumps are used to provide heat and cool homes. As such, you can either buy a stand-alone water heating system or use a combination water heating and home AC system. You can get a stand-alone heat pump water heating system featuring a built-in water storage tank and back-up resistance heating elements or you can retrofit a heat pump to work with an existing conventional storage water heater. Consult any local professional plumber offering relevant services, such as DC bathroom remodeling and water heater installation and repair services on advice regarding your home pump. Remember that heat pump water heaters work more efficiently in warm climates.

 

 

Benefits

 

Heat pump water heaters have some of the lowest operating costs because they are very energy efficient. Actually, they can be 2-3 times more energy efficient than conventional electric resistance water heaters; and are hence some of the cheapest-to-operate electric water heaters in the market today. Secondly, heat pump water heaters are capable of satisfying huge hot water needs at no extra cost, especially if installed in warm climates. Hybrid systems are usually preferred because they ensure convenient functionality during cold seasons and significant energy bill savings during summer.

 

Limitations

 

Heat pump water heaters have many limitations due to their unique operating mechanism and special operating conditions. For starters, they usually cost more to buy and install than conventional electric heaters. Secondly, they require special climatic conditions to operate efficiently — warm climates. Thirdly, they are usually taller and wider than conventional electric heaters and require more air space around them to function properly. As such, heat pump water heaters take up more space than other electric heaters. Fourthly, heat pump water heaters increase the load on AC appliances during the cold season. This is because they have to share the limited indoor space heat with other space conditioning appliances. They also require special maintenance, which can be tedious and expensive if not done carefully and regularly. For instance, their air filters requires regular cleaning to ensure operating efficiency. Finally, some heat pump water heaters feature side pipes to protect the heater from damage from leaking pipes. To install such models, you need to reconfigure the pipes.

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4 Effective Ways To Reduce Your Home Hot Water Costs

One of the most effective cost cutting measures in any American home today is a reduction in the use of hot water. Apparently, water heating is ranked as the second largest energy consumer, right after HVAC systems, in a typical U.S. household. If you wish to lower your home energy bill by almost a fifth, you need to implement some effective measures to reduce hot water usage and wastage. In addition to lowering your energy bill, you will also be doing your home and the environment a big favor — promoting sustainability and resource conservation. There are several proven strategies that can help you reduce your home energy usage significantly. The following are some of the most applicable tips that can help you reduce your home hot water costs.

 

Fix Leaks Immediately

 

This is the simplest and perhaps the most ignored method of reducing, not only hot water usage, but all home water usage and wastage. However, it is even more effectual in reducing utility costs by curbing hot water usage in the home. Leaking pipes and fixtures like showerheads and faucets can cause a lot of water loss in the long run. Fixing a leak as soon as possible is a very effective strategy towards the admirable objective of promoting a greener home and planet. If you have a leaking water heater, get a replacement. Consult any reliable plumber, who offers water heater repair in DC, for advice on the most energy efficient water heater options available in your locality and according to your hot water needs.

 

Buy Low-Flow Fixtures

 

 

 

Fixtures are some of the most wasteful installations in any plumbing system. Luckily, their functional excesses can be fixed through simple modifications and by making insightful choices when buying them. For starters, showerheads should be selected according to climatic regions. There are two main types of showerheads: laminar-flow, which is suitable for humid climates and aerating showerhead, which is suitable for dry regions. In either case, choose a low-flow model to ensure optimal water efficiency. Similarly, choose faucets with low-flow aerators to minimize water loss. If you already installed some inefficient faucets, you can just replace the aerators to control hot water usage — you can even install shutoff valves on the faucets to stop water flow without affecting the temperature.

 

Insulate Your Water Heater Tank And Pipes

 

Insulating the hot water reservoir in conventional storage water heaters can ensure significant savings on energy consumption. Reduce standby heat loss by insulating both the storage tank and the pipes. Modern storage water heaters have insulated tanks and piping systems to minimize heat loss. If your water heater is “naked,” consult a professional plumber for insulation solutions.

 

Install Energy-Efficient Appliances

 

One of the most cost-effective strategies to reduce home energy usage is by purchasing energy efficient appliances. Washing dishes and clothes by hand leads to massive energy losses due to the frequent water heating activities. In order to mitigate this effect, you should install an energy efficient dishwasher and then operate it properly with full loads. Modern dishwashers feature amazing energy saving elements, such as booster heaters and cycle selections. Inefficient clothes washers are very expensive to operate. Install an efficient clothes washer and try to use cold and warm water as much as possible; unless it’s absolutely necessary. Like dishwashers, modern clothes machines have fancy features to ensure energy efficiency, such as spin-drying and front-loading clothes washers.

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4 Most Popular Types Of Water Heaters

Together with HVAC systems, water heaters enhance the existential comfort of the household by providing the much needed warmth and heat. As such, water heaters are some of the most important plumbing installations in any home. Luckily, technological evolution has led to the creation of numerous types and models of water heaters; enough to suit everyone’s hot water needs and preferences. Water heaters are categorized according to their construction design, such as conventional storage, tankless and heat pump water heaters, and sometimes according to their energy sources like solar, gas or electricity powered water heaters. To make a prudent purchase decision, it is advisable that you consult a professional plumber like any company that offers DC water heater repair and installation services, for advice. Some of the most popular water heaters are discussed below.

 

 

 

Conventional Storage

 

Arguably, conventional storage water heaters are the most popular models in the market today. Ranked as the most affordable models in the market today, these water heaters feature a hot water reservoir or tank. Although they are easy to install and very affordable to purchase, conventional storage water heaters have one downside, they are very inefficient. Storage water heaters are undermined by their standby heat loss problem, which translates into significant energy wastage. This is because they always have hot water stored in a reservoir even when the hot water tap is shut-off. This inefficiency causes these models to have very high operating and maintenance costs, potentially offsetting the low initial purchase cost. To mitigate this problem, some modern models have insulated storage tanks and pipes and motorized dampers.

 

Tankless

 

Tankless, also called demand-type or instantaneous water heaters do not have a reservoir for storing hot water. As the other names suggest, they heat water directly on demand. Because they do not store hot water like conventional storage models, tankless water heaters are not affected by the standby heat loss problem. Therefore, they are some of the most efficient types of water heaters in the market today; and hence require very little operating costs. Also, tankless heaters never run out of hot water although they require a little lag time to get the burners going before they can heat the water to the required temperature. One major setback of using this model is that it requires very high initial purchase and installation costs. The good news is that the initial price is easily offset by the subsequent energy cost savings.

 

Heat Pump

 

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from one space to another instead of generating heat directly to produce hot water. These models work like reverse refrigerators in that they take heat from the surrounding space and use it to heat water in a storage tank. They are suitable for warm climate regions and they can be 2-3 times more energy efficient than conventional storage electric resistance water heaters. You can either get a stand-alone air-source water heating system or use a combination water heating and AC system.

 

Solar

 

Solar water heating systems use the sun’s energy to heat water. Solar water heaters feature solar collectors and hot water reservoirs. They come in two types: passive and active heaters, which include circulating controls and pumps. Considering that they are powered by a free and renewable resource, sunlight, solar heaters are ranked among the most efficient models — they can also be used in any climate. Solar water heaters require substantial initial costs, which can be offset by the relatively low operating costs.

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