How to Maintain the Efficiency of your Water Heater if you have Hard Water

Hard water can cause serious problems for appliances, especially your home’s water heater. Mineral buildup inside your water heater tank consisting of calcium, magnesium, and other deposits can greatly reduce its lifespan. Luckily, you can prevent unexpected troubles – and the untimely demise of this often overlooked but frequently used appliance – with a little bit of routine maintenance.

Sneaky sediment
Just as your HVAC system needs maintenance, so too does your water heater to keep mineral sediment from building up and clogging fixtures. Its mere operation – heating water – produces the sediment that lines your tank. The hotter the water, the greater the sediment buildup, making turning down the temperature a smart move not only to prevent burns and over-inflated utility bills, but to protect the efficiency and lifespan of this appliance.

Flushing – It’s not just for the toilet
You can rid your water heater of sediment much the same as you would rid waste in the bathroom – with a simple flush. How can you accomplish this?

• Turn off the power and/or the gas.
• Close the shutoff valve on the cold water supply pipe.
• Release pressure in the tank by turning on a hot water faucet anywhere in the house.
• Drain the water, taking care to remember it is scalding hot, and must be handled carefully. Two-to-three gallons should be sufficient.
• Close the drain valve. If it won’t close completely after the flush, you may need a replacement.
• Restore water supply so your tank can fill.
• Note noises indicate air in the system, and are not harmful.
• Red alert! Turning on your water heater before it has refilled with water could permanently damage the heater – or create a dangerous situation.
• Turn on a faucet in your home to purge air in the system.
• Turn the power back on/re-light the pilot.
• Repeat this flushing process every four-to-six months.
• If you are unsure of your ability to complete any of the tasks above, enlist the help of a dependable service and maintenance heating repair professional.

De-liming: Not a DIY endeavor
Notice a hard buildup on the surface of your tank’s interior during flushing? This hard lime or scale buildup results from tanks that go too long between flushing or cleaning, or in systems heating extremely hard water. As with scale, it can also cause operational issues, reduced efficiency, and shortened system life. Flushing will not clear it. Removing it requires the use of strong chemicals which, if used improperly, could create dangerous conditions including etching and damage to your tank, exposure to acid burns during cleanout, water contamination, and even explosion. Do not try this at home. Reducing lime scale buildup in your tank is better and more safely managed by turning down the temperature of the heater (120 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended), flushing your tank if you are capable, and calling a pro for regular professional maintenance including a more thorough cleaning and inspection of essential components such as electrodes and pressure relief valve.

Hot water heater left you high and dry? H&H Heating & Air can help, with after-hours and emergency services to get your life back afloat. Contact us today.

Things to Consider when Installing a New Hot Water Heater

Cold shower? Emergency repair may not be enough. You may need a new water heater.  In high-demand, your average tank-style water heater is only designed to last 8-12 years, putting water heater replacement at the top of the list of common home improvements.

What things should you consider before installing a new water heater?

• Water heater type
  Water heaters come in many different types, including gas and electric water heaters such as American-made Bradford White water heaters, and tankless and tank-style models:

• • Tankless
    Ninenty-nine percent efficient, tankless systems use a heat exchanger rather than a storage tank, taking up far less space and boosting efficiency with on-demand access. Though they last longer and have more extensive warranties, they also require increased maintenance and additional installation costs.

• • Tank-style
    Tankless not in the budget? No worries. Traditional models still offer at least 93% efficiency, with those featuring new heat-pump technology to boost efficiency (like your HVAC system) offering even more.

• • Hybrid
    Hybrid systems combine the best of both conventional and tankless elements.

• Water heater size
  Water heater size is not the only thing that matters – you must also consider “first hour ratings” – how many gallons the heater can supply (and replace) per hour. U.S. News reports a new 50-gallong tank with a first hour rating of 35 only yields enough hot water for two 8 minute showers. If that’s not sufficient, you’re going to have to think bigger – or go tankless for constant, on-demand hot water access.

• Timespan
  Upgrading to a tankless system from a tank-style water heater takes much longer – 10-12 hours versus the 2-3 our installation time of traditional systems.

• Installation cost
  The cost of professional water heater installation from even the best heating and air conditioning companies is widely variable by project. Cost can vary greatly based on factors such as replacement type (will your new system be the same style and size as your previous water heater – or will retrofitting be necessary?), the installation site, and changes necessary to bring the installation up to code (venting, electrical and gas supplies, and more). Over-the-phone estimates are not possible. The site must first be surveyed and you must know what type of water heater you’d prefer to replace your existing one with to ensure an accurate installation quote.

• Safety
  While saving a buck map prompt you to attempt a DIY installation, you will be far safer going with a pro hvac technician. This will not only ensure proper permits and a system safely installed to current local plumbing codes, but prevent related dangers such as gas leaks and carbon monoxide poisoning risks, electrical risks (electric heaters require 240 volts), clearance headaches, water damage and possible mold issues from improperly installed systems.

Information overload cause your brain to spring a leak? The professionals at H&H Heating & Air Conditioning are here to guide you through the water heater purchasing process so you can make the right choice for your home, family, and budget. Contact us today to learn more about our extensive array of efficient, high-performance water heating systems.

How to choose the right Hot Water Heater for your Home?

Hot water heater installation should serve you well for years, which means that when the time does come to replace one you need to choose carefully – you’re going to be using it for a long time! You need to choose a system that heats enough water for your needs, as efficiently as possible – and for the right price.

Choosing Between Different Types of Hot Water Heaters

Your decision isn’t made any easier by the wide variety of different types on the market. Calling a reliable HVAC Contractor can help in shortlisting your options. Let’s take a look at a few of your options:

Conventional Storage Tank

This, the most common type of hot water heater, simply involves heating and storing water in one well-insulated tank. The size of the tank will have a big impact on how much hot water you can use at once. The storage tank is the most popular type of water heater; although it isn’t the most efficient, yet it is cost-effective to install, and can provide a large amount of hot water.

Tankless Hot Water Heaters

These heaters heat water on demand, as you require it. This makes them more efficient that a conventional storage tank, but does also limit the amount of water you can use at once. This means larger homes, that might want to draw water for more than one reason at a time (for example, two bathrooms), may struggle with the limited capacity.

Solar Hot Water Heaters

A solar unit absorbs heat and energy from the sun and uses it to heat your water tank. In an area with ample sunlight all year round this can offer significant cost savings, but in colder climates, it can struggle during the winter. The biggest drawback to a solar hot water heater is the cost – far in excess of more traditional water heaters. The savings due to efficiency are good, but it can take years to payback the extra cost of the solar unit.

Heat Pump

A heat pump is a highly efficient option, but has somewhat demanding space requirements. A heat pump installation works by capturing heat from the surrounding air and using it to heat the water – but to do this it requires a warm location and plenty of space around it (width and height). These requirements can make it hard to install in many properties. Geo-thermal heat pumps capture heat from the Earth and circulate it to the home’s water storage tank but these are also more complex to install.

Factors to Consider

To decide between the different types of water heater installation you need to consider a variety of factors and their importance to your decision. Space, budget, or even your local weather can affect your decision:

• Budget – The amount of money you have available to spend; don’t forget to include any installation costs.
• Hot Water Requirements – Some water heaters are limited in the volume of hot water they can provide all at once; try and calculate how much you need..
• Installation Space – Some types of water heaters, for example heat pumps, require far more room than others.
• Local Weather – The amount of sunlight you receive can significantly affect the efficiency and savings of switching to a solar solution.

Still not sure what to choose? Call the experts at H & H Heating and Air Conditioning, the authorized suppliers of Bradford white water heaters.