Archive for the ‘Hot Water Tank’ category

Putting Off Plumbing Problems

January 23rd, 2012

You maintain the furnace at the beginning of every heating season and you check out the air conditioner before the heat of summer arrives, yet you neglect other major systems within the home. The plumbing system for example is one system that most homeowners do little to care for until something major goes wrong. A major plumbing problem is not only a major inconvenience within the home, but it can also cause an expensive mess. Take the time to have a professional perform a maintenance check on your plumbing system and you will prevent these problems and keep everything flowing in the right direction.

Plumbing Maintenance Checks

If you have minor plumbing issues like a toilet that clogs frequently or a water heater pilot light that goes out from time to time, a maintenance check may be all that is standing between you and a problem free plumbing system. Put the plunger down and get a pro to check out and clean your plumbing system. A true plumbing maintenance check will involve a thorough inspection of everything from your showers and kitchen sink to the sump pump and hot water heater. These are a few of the point that your professional should check:

  • Signs of corrosion: The hot water tank and old piping in the home are both susceptible to corrosion. You may need to have sections of the plumbing system replaced to prevent major leaks. Also, when it comes to the water tank, anything from an anode replacement to an entire hot water tank replacement could be possible. » Read more: Putting Off Plumbing Problems

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Posted in Home Services, Hot Water Tank, Maintenace, Plumbing

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How Your Water Tank Prevents Erosion

January 2nd, 2012

The hot water tank seems to be a rather simple device. Water enters the tank, is heated by the burners, and then transferred throughout the home, but if you really think about it, how is it that the water tank is able to come in contact with so much water and remain rust and erosion resistant? For some homeowners, stopping the tank from eroding isn’t such an easy task. Although there problem usually lies in a lack of proper hot water tank maintenance. There is one very valuable part of the tank that is checked during a maintenance cleaning, and if this part is no longer doing its job, the tank will quickly become vulnerable to erosion. Don’t wait until the bottom of your tank rots out to find out you have a problem.

The Anode and Its Function

The part of your hot water tank that we are talking about is the anode. This vital component of your system sacrifices itself to corrosion and spares the integrity of the tank. However, over time, this part will lose this ability. The aluminum or magnesium that is being corroded will eventually be gone, and the tank itself will begin to break down. This can be prevented though by having the anode checked and replaced why necessary. Some home needs to have the anode replaced as frequently as every 4 years, but other can last up to 6 or 7 years before replacement is needed. Either way, you will not know when you anode needs replacement if you do not have the tank maintained yearly. » Read more: How Your Water Tank Prevents Erosion

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Posted in HVAC Repair, Heating, Home Services, Hot Water Tank, Maintenace, Plumbing

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A Burn Free Winter: Water Heater Safety

December 26th, 2011

Having small children in the home highlights the many hazards that stand in the way of their safety. We lock up cabinets that house dangerous chemicals and cover sockets, but have you taken the necessary steps to prevent your children from experiencing a scalding burn? As our children age, they begin to take showers on their own and turn on and off the water when washing their hands. One wrong turn and your child could set the water so hot that it literally burns their skin. What may be hot water to your skin can spell disaster for your child, but luckily there is a simple way to childproof the water in your home as well!

Set Back that Tank!

The problem lies in the settings on your hot water tank’s thermostat. Many homeowners have never even touched this device and probably have no idea that there are different temperatures that you could set your tank at. When the tank is set at or above 150 degrees, it takes about 2 seconds to experience a scalding burn. No one needs the tank set the high, and odds are if you are tank is set at this point, you are also overpaying on your monthly energy bills. Set the tank back to 120 degrees and you will be surprised at the lack of difference it makes in your morning showers. » Read more: A Burn Free Winter: Water Heater Safety

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Posted in Furnace, Heating, Hot Water Tank, Safty

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Hard Water Hardships

November 16th, 2011

If you have had to deal with hard water in your home, you know the troubles that it can cause. However, there are many homeowners that come into a new neighborhood and a new home having no idea that their water supply consists of hard water. It isn’t until the home and the family begins noticing the symptoms of hard water damage that they realize something must be done. Having hard or very hard water is more obvious, but if the water in your home is only moderately hard, it may take more time to realize there is a problem. If you wait that long, you could have major plumbing problems on your hands that defiantly won’t be a cheap fix. Luckily, there is a solution.

Soap Scum and Hard Water

Brittle hair, faded grey clothing, and bitter tasting dishes are just a few of the ways that hard water will affect your family. Soap scum is what causes these symptoms and it is created when pretty much any type of soap comes in contact with hard water. The result is thick goo that creates a layer on everything your water touches and it can’t be easily removed. The real problems comes when you realize what the hard water and soap scum have been doing to your plumbing, water heater, boiler, and humidifier. » Read more: Hard Water Hardships

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Posted in Boiler, Heating, Home Services, Hot Water Tank, Information

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Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

September 12th, 2011

So much has been written about carbon monoxide it makes my head spin. Most everything you see on the internet is meant to scare you, but here are a few facts that I haven’t seen on the net.

4 Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

1. Carbon monoxide detectors can have a life span of only a few years, and most are dead after ten. If you don’t have paper work on your CO detector contact the manufacturer to see what the life of your CO detector is. Just because it lights up and goes beep when you push the test button does not mean it is detecting CO. I have seen it a number of times where the customers CO detector does not go off and my meter shows elevated levels of CO. » Read more: Carbon Monoxide Safety Tips

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Posted in Furnace, Hot Water Tank, Information, Safty

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Energy Conscious Water Heating

March 31st, 2011

When it comes to energy conscious home improvements, picking an effective place to spend your money is often the most difficult decision. Not all of us have money to blow on improvements that aren’t really going to make our home more energy efficient, so it is important to take a moment to look at your options. The HVAC system is always a good place to invest a little money in the replacement of outdated systems, but there is one other unit in the home that consumes tons of energy all year round. It is your hot water tank, and odds are you haven’t replaced yours in ages.

The hot water tank consumes between 14 and 25% of the energy in your home, so replacing this system will a new high efficiency unit could save you tons on your energy bills and decrease your home’s carbon footprint. However, you shouldn’t just run out and buy the first tank you see, keep the following tips in mind while you shop, and you are sure to find the perfect hot water tank for your home and your needs. » Read more: Energy Conscious Water Heating

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Posted in Go Green, Home Improvements, Hot Water Tank

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Tank-less Hot Water: Gas or Electric?

December 13th, 2010

Tank-less hot water heaters have become very popular in the recent years as energy efficiency has become a priority in households across the United States. These compact systems offer many benefits when compared to traditional hot water tanks. As with any appliance there are some possible complications, but with proper installation and sizing, many of the drawbacks can be eliminated. There is, however, one key factor that you must take into consideration before installing one of these systems: fuel type!

Electric Tank-less Hot Water Heaters

If you don’t have access to natural gas in your home, electric hot water heaters may be your only option, and if so, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a bad one. These are some of the benefits and drawbacks associated with electric tank-less hot water heaters: » Read more: Tank-less Hot Water: Gas or Electric?

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Posted in Contractors, Go Green, Heating, Hot Water Tank, Money Saving

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Stop Throwing Your Money Down the Drain!

November 25th, 2010

Many people focus on making the furnace and air conditioner as energy efficient as possible, but they often forget about another appliance that plays a major role in the utility bill cost every month. The hot water tank accounts for 18% of the energy costs for the average home, and the furnace and air conditioner are the only units that exceed that percentage. Don’t get me wrong, it is very important to have efficient heating and cooling systems, but it is important that each homeowner is also doing everything that they can to save on hot water as well.

The Hot Water Tank

Let’s start with the source of the problem: that old hot water tank. If your system is over ten years old, it is probably on its last leg. Insufficiently hot water, frequent pilot outages, and tank leaks are not normal hot water tank functions, and if you are experiencing any of these you are probably overdue for a system replacement. But, even if the tank seems to be working fine, you may still want to consider replacement. Newer units are more energy efficient, and you may even want to consider switching to a tank-less system. However, if you are sticking with the old unit, there are still some changes you should be making. » Read more: Stop Throwing Your Money Down the Drain!

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Posted in Furnace, Go Green, Heating, Home Improvements, Home Services, Hot Water Tank, Money Saving

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