Tag: tankless water heater

What Are the Benefits of Having a Tankless Water Heater?

Posted on | by Drainiacs

Benefits Of Having a Tankless Water Heater In Your Home

 

West Covina Water HeaterTankless water heater technology has reached the US market. Take a good look at this technology now; it may be an excellent addition to your household. Tankless in itself means there is no water tank needed to heat up and store water, which gives your home more space and no flooding. More important you will never run out of hot water.

Tankless technology lets you run your washing machine and take a shower at the same time. It heats up the water as you use it. This is an on-demand type of heater; it provides hot water only when needed. Tankless water heaters do not run out of hot water because they heat up the water as you use it. There is no reason to wait for the hot-water tank to refill, there is no tank.

Heating up as you go saves energy, and cuts your electric and gas cost by twenty percent. Saving may be up to eighty dollars a month, and thousands of dollars in a long run. The tankless water heater is efficient and economical; it is also friendly to the environment. The price may be a bit higher, however; investing in this technology will save you money and space over time.

The tankless water heater unit is smaller than the conventional heater. It fits anywhere in or out of your home. You can fit it in a closet a hallway, or outside in a convenient out-of-the-way location. They usually come with remote control, designed with several settings to fit your home’s individual needs.

The best part about the tankless water heater is it has low maintenance and will last you twenty years. You will not have to worry about the risk of leaks and water damage. This is a good time to make a change to tankless technology. Save money, space, and never be caught without hot water again.

Are you looking to install a new tankless water heater in your West Covina home? Call Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer at (626) 962-0885 and get started today!

Relocating A Water Heater

Posted on | by Drainiacs

Let’s face it, unless you have invested in the new state-of-the-art tankless systems, water heaters take up a lot of space.  In most older homes these units are even positioned right smack in the middle of the house, or “hidden” in some hall closet or just sittin’ right in the kitchen.  This can be annoying, and a thought that fills many people’s minds is ‘what you would be able to do with all of that space if that water heater wasn’t there.’  It’s a great thought, and quite hopeful, but what many people don’t know is how much work and how many different costs go into relocating a water heater, even if it’s just to the other side of the wall.

First, there is the water heater itself: Will you be using your existing water heater or purchasing a new one?

If you plan to use the same unit, you should first find out how old the unit is, if it’s working properly in its current location, and when the last time it was inspected and completely flushed.  If the unit is old and on its last leg, you might want to consider purchasing a new unit to get it all taken care of at once.  Having to go back in to replace the unit will just make it that much harder and more expensive for you.  If the unit is fairly new or in good working condition, wipe your brow because you just saved yourself a few hundred of dollars.

If you plan to purchase a new unit, you need to decide what type of unit you would like to purchase; A new tankless system or a conventional tank water heater.  If you are leaning toward a tankless unit, although they are great space savers and highly energy-efficient, there can be some pitfalls to them, so do a little research first and figure out if a tankless unit is actually a good fit for you and your family.  You can check out our article The Pros & Cons of Going Tankless: Is A Tankless Water Heater Right For You? or contact us if you have any questions.  Either way, keep in mind that water heaters are not cheap, they are a good-sized investment for your home and should last anywhere from  10-15 years depending on their maintenance and weathering around them.

Next, is figuring out where you would like to relocate your water heater to.

This is one of the most highly impactful parts of your decision in regard to cost next to purchasing a new unit.  First and foremost is the safety and code of moving the water heater.  Most cities require a permit, which you can request from your city’s building department (as well as an inspection after the unit is moved).  This is primarily due to the fact that you will most likely be moving some major structural fixtures such as the exhaust, the natural gas lines, and the water lines.  Next, you will need to know if there is a water and gas supply at the location where you would like the unit moved to.  If not, this again can be quite a pocket buster and will require a lot more work, but if there is, go ahead and take another sigh of relief!

Finally, once the location is chosen, it’s all about moving the water heater

This is the part that most people don’t really think about: What actually goes into moving a water heater.  It’s not as easy as just picking it up, moving it, and reconnecting it.  There’s quite a bit more involved.  If the supply lines (gas and water) need to be moved that is the first major issue, then you have to think about the other details:  replacing the exhaust pipe, a new concrete slab, a metal shed,  earthquake straps, exhaust straps, and not to mention any flooring, ceiling and roofing repairs along with some hefty patchwork.

As you can see, relocating a water heater isn’t as simple as you may have thought.  It takes quite a bit more labor and skill than most people may think, but that’s not to say that it can’t be done on your own.  In fact, we have many customers who have taken the DIY route in relocating a water heater and we’re all for it!  But if you’re one of those who would just rather have a professional do it for you, we hope this article has prepared you a little bit for what you can expect.  At Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer, we always take our time in explaining to our customers what each job entails, and always provide you options so you can decide for yourself what works for you and fits in your budget.  If you’re ready to move your water heater though and would like some help, just know that you can always count on us for fair prices, exceptional customer service, and the highest quality work!  Give us a call today!

The Pros & Cons of Going Tankless: Is A Tankless Water Heater Right For You?

Posted on | by Drainiacs

With all of the hype about “going green” and conservation acts in the twenty-first century, is a tankless water heater really the way to go for you and your family?  Here we will discuss what a tankless water heater is, how it works, the pros and cons of tankless water heating units, and help you decide if the investment is actually worth it for you.

What is a tankless water heater?

A tankless water heater is a water heating unit that instantly heats water as it flows through the device.  It does not store any water internally except for what is left in the heat exchange line.

How does a tankless water heater work?

When hot water is requested by either opening a hot water tap on the sink, shower, tub, or washing machine, internal components of the tankless water heater sense the flow and begin the heating process.  Each tankless water heating unit comes with its own control board that allows the user to regulate the heat temperature of the water, as desired.  When water begins to flow, the control board checks the current temperature of the incoming water and desired temperature, as set by the user, and calculates the difference.  Depending on this difference, the gas and electric flow into the burner assembly in order to ignite the burner.  Water is then heated to the desired temperature, as designated by the user per the control board, as it circulates through the heat exchange line, providing a continuous flow of hot water.  When the hot water is turned off, or is not in use, the tankless heating unit shuts down and is placed on standby until called upon again.

What are the pros of having a tankless water heater?

Having a tankless water heater can be a great investment.  Not only do they provide an endless supply of hot water to your household (you’re not just limited to the hot water stored in the tank like most conventional tank units), they are tremendous space savers, and are extremely energy efficient.  Tankless water heating units can save you on the upwards of $100 per year off of your utility bills, and as an even greater incentive, some are also eligible for certain state and federal tax rebates of up to $300 (see below for more information on these rebates).  Since tankless water heaters run off of both gas and electric, they run off of an ignition which is only turned on when requested by the water flow, unlike most conventional water heating units that stay lit at all times.  When serviced properly, a tankless water heater can generally last up to five to ten years longer than any conventional tank water heating units.

What are the cons of having a tankless water heater?

Aside from all of the great assets of having a tankless water heating unit, as with any large appliance, there are always a few downsides.  Not only do tankless water heating units cost quite a bit more than most conventional tank units, the installation and setup is quite a bit more as well.  It also takes a while longer to get hot water, as compared to a more conventional tank unit which stores hot water to have it on hand when requested, often causing what is referred to as a “cold water sandwich”; The remaining hot water left in the heat exchange will run out, followed by cold water while the tank begins to heat, and then an endless stream of hot water.  However, since tankless units run off of electricity which is used to start the ignition and operate the control board, these units do not work during power outages.  Also, as per any type of water heating unit, annual maintenance is recommended.  It can extend the life of your unit and will help avoid any type of emergency service; however, with a tankless heating unit, it is crucial due to the high expense of replacement parts.

Is a tankless water heater right for you?

Overall, since there are an equal amount of pros as cons when it comes to tankless water heating units, it comes down to one thing: is it right for you?

  • If you have a large household, or a large family, hence lots of showers or baths and lots of loads of laundry throughout the day, you are a great candidate for a tankless unit and it would definitely be worth the investment.
  • If you have a very small household, or family, and do not take more than 2-3 showers or wash 1-2 loads of laundry at a time, a tankless water heater is not necessary and might not be worth the investment.
  • At the same time, if you live in a very small household where space is a big issue, a tankless unit is a great space saver and would again definitely be worth the investment for you.
  • Lastly, if you live in an older home with the original plumbing, you should keep in mind that the majority of the plumbing in your home will probably need to be replaced prior to installing your new tankless unit.  This might add to the cost, but if you fall within the first or third categories listed above, it still might be worth it to you.

So, now that you have all of the information, it’s time to make a decision!  However, if you’re still not sure and would like more detailed information, Daniel Cordova Plumbing, Drain & Sewer is always here to help!  Feel free to give us a call at any time!

For more information on rebates for tankless and energy-efficient water heaters please visit the following site: Energy Star.