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Why Install a Tankless Water Heater?

Three Reasons to Go Tankless This Year

As tankless water heaters become increasingly popular, many homeowners are seeking information on this new style of water heater for their homes. Traditional water heaters with tanks only last between ten and fifteen years. And given the more efficient tankless versions, it only makes sense for homeowners to research whether a tankless heater is right for them. After all, increased efficiency should translate to savings on energy bills. But what exactly are the benefits of installing a tankless water heater? Read on to discover the three major advantages of tankless water heater installation.

Increased Energy Efficiency

Tankless water heaters work by heating water as needed. This is why they're often called on-demand water heaters. Their ability to heat water quickly to be delivered is where much of the energy efficiency comes from. Traditional storage water heaters keep the water at a set temperature all day, even if the water won't be used for hours at a time. This makes it convenient for homeowners, but it's a tradeoff because keeping that water at a temperature takes energy.

However, tankless water heaters aren't ideal for every household. One tankless heater can handle about 41 gallons of water a day (or less) while being between 20% and 35% more efficient than storage water heaters. For households that use more than 41 gallons a day — or use hot water at multiple faucets throughout the house simultaneously — it's often better to install more than one tankless heater to handle the simultaneous hot water use. Fortunately, installing more than one tankless heater in the house can provide even more energy savings.

Neverending Hot Water Supply and Space Savings

Since tankless water heaters don't need large storage tanks, they're more space-efficient than their storage counterparts. This can be a huge benefit for those who don't have enough storage space. Similarly, they're ideal for installation in tiny homes, mobile homes, and other small dwellings. While this may not be the biggest selling point for homeowners, it's certainly something to consider.

A major benefit is that tankless water heaters never run out of hot water. Since the water is quickly heated as soon as needed, there's no chance of running out of hot water, which can happen with a storage water heater.

Tankless Water Heaters Last Longer

Because traditional water heaters constantly have water in their tanks, they don't last nearly as long as tankless water heaters. When a tank fails on a storage water heater, it's best to replace the entire unit instead of trying to repair the tank. That said, storage water heaters generally last between 10 and 15 years. Conversely, tankless water heaters have a lifespan of 20 years or more.

While the upfront costs of tankless water heater installation are generally higher than those of storage water heaters, they tend to pay for themselves in just a few years. Of course, this depends on the exact hot water habits of the household. This is why it's always good to consult a professional plumber to determine if tankless water heater installation is the best move for the household.

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

The friendly professional at B&L Plumbing and Heating has been serving Colorado Springs, CO, since 1999. B&L is a veteran-owned company that provides no-mess service at a competitive price. Plus, they never charge after-hours fees. Contact them today for tankless water heater installation in Colorado Springs, CO.

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The Dangers and Warning Signs of a Faulty Heater

Common Heating Hazards and How To Spot Them

Winter is here, and Colorado homeowners are now relying on their heating systems every day to keep their homes warm and cozy while the snow falls and the icy wind howls outside. And with all that usage, this is the prime time for heating problems to rear their ugly heads.

Some heating issues can increase the heating bills, leave the house feeling chilly, or even take the heater out of commission for a day or two. But as scary as those scenarios are, other heating problems can be even scarier – and more dangerous. This article will explain the biggest dangers of a faulty heater and how homeowners can identify them.

Carbon Monoxide Leaks

Perhaps the most terrifying of all heater problems is a carbon monoxide leak. In gas or oil-burning furnaces, any carbon monoxide produced by the fuel combustion is vented through the flue or exhaust vent. But if the flue or exhaust pipe leaks (due to corrosion, damage, etc.), it can cause carbon monoxide to enter the home. CO leaks can also occur due to a faulty pilot light or cracked heat exchanger.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is a very serious health risk, as it can cause unconsciousness, damage to internal organs, and even death. To protect against a carbon monoxide leak, homeowners should install CO detectors throughout the home (particularly near the furnace or other gas appliances) and have their heater serviced by a professional every year. If they notice any symptoms of CO poisoning, such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain, fatigue, or confusion, they should exit the home and call their local emergency services at once.

Mold Growth Inside the Heater or Air Ducts

Another dangerous issue to watch out for is mold development inside the home’s air ducts or the heater. Mold growth is most common in heat pump systems, which function as heaters and air conditioners. In cooling mode, the unit helps remove moisture from the home’s air, condensing it from vapor into liquid. If this liquid doesn’t drain away immediately, it can facilitate mold growth very quickly, and that mold can survive inside the unit all year round. The mold spores can then spread to the home’s air ducts and throughout the home as air flows through the system.

Mold in the heating system or ductwork can have negative health outcomes. It can cause respiratory irritation or infections, exacerbate allergies and asthma symptoms, and significantly reduce indoor air quality. If homeowners develop any of these symptoms, notice a musty smell, or can see mold growth in their air ducts or in and around their heater, they should call a professional for a heater cleaning or air duct cleaning as soon as possible.

Overheating

Lastly, overheating a heater or furnace can be extremely dangerous and surprisingly common. Overheating can occur for various reasons, such as restricted airflow (usually due to a dirty furnace filter), short cycling (the unit frequently turns on and off), faulty internal components, or old age.

Overheating can cause the heat exchanger to crack (as mentioned above, lead to a carbon monoxide leak), damage the blower motor or other key components, and even cause a furnace fire. Some signs of an overheating furnace include burning smells, a loud humming noise from the heater, or shutting down before the thermostat reaches the correct temperature.

If homeowners notice these signs, they should immediately turn the system off and call a professional for heater repair. To help prevent overheating in the first place, homeowners can replace their HVAC air filter(s) every 1-3 months and schedule regular heating maintenance (ideally once every autumn) with a professional to help catch and resolve any issues that may lead to overheating – as well as the other issues mentioned above!

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

B&L Plumbing and Heating has been handling Colorado Springs homeowners' and business owners' plumbing and HVAC needs since 1999. Their commitment to quality workmanship, outstanding customer service, and impeccable reliability has earned them numerous 5-star reviews and awards – they were even named the “Best Emergency Plumbers in Colorado Springs” by Expertise.com. They offer competitive up-front pricing, a money-saving maintenance plan, and 24/7 emergency response with no after-hours fees, so call B&L anytime for heating repair in Colorado Springs, CO!

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Identifying Problems With The Hot Water Heater

3 Ways to Identify a Malfunctioning Water Heater

If a home plumbing system has a heart, it is not the toilet or kitchen sink but the water heater. It helps with the everyday chores of keeping the home clean and comfortable and assisting with cooking. Problems with the hot water can upend a whole routine and easily cause disgruntled feelings among the household members. Like most appliances, a water heater shows signs that it needs maintenance and repair before it stops working. These indicators for water heater repair or replacement are discussed below.

Banging and Popping Sounds

If a homeowner has neglected their water heater maintenance or the home has hard water, then sediment can build up in the tank. This can result in poor recovery, that is, how quickly the tank of water comes back up to the optimal temperature after being depleted, and unpleasant sounds can result. Since the water heater is normally quiet, a loud noise from it can certainly be alarming, but it can also indicate a couple of different issues described in the following list.

Anode Rod Replacement: One of the reasons for sediment buildup is the need to replace the anode rod. This is a special piece of equipment that attracts positive ions in the water to prevent corrosion. This leads to a breaking down of the anode rod instead of inside the water heater tank. Because it breaks down, it needs to be replaced occasionally to have a fully functioning water heater.
Hard Water: Around 90% of the homes in the United States have hard water. It is not harmful for human consumption, but its high mineral content can leave calcium and magnesium deposits in pipes and hot water tanks. Flushing the hot water tank can solve this problem.

Professional maintenance is needed to lengthen any appliance's life, including water heaters. Even tankless water heater maintenance is necessary.

Water is Discolored or Smells Bad

If water comes out of the tap discolored or metallic smelling, this can point to a corroded water heater. This can be due to a lack of maintenance or just age. If the interior lining of the water heater gets damaged, it can expose the tank's metal to corrosive elements. This can cause a host of issues throughout the house.

Laundry that doesn't come clean
Foul tasting water
Spotty dishes
Stinky laundry
Tank Leaks

If the tank is corroded, repair is not an option. Water heater replacement is needed.

The Hot Water Tank is Leaking

A leaking water heater can sometimes be repaired by simply tightening the plumbing connections or replacing the pressure release valve. These repairs should be assessed and performed by a plumbing professional. As previously stated, certain problems, such as corrosion, cannot be repaired; only an entire replacement will work.

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

When homeowners need a plumber with no after-hours fees, they should call B & L Plumbing. They serve Colorado Springs, CO, and the surrounding areas with 24-hour emergency water heater service.

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Face the New Year with a New Water Heater!

The Benefits of Water Heater Replacement or Installation

Homeowners no longer have to deal with cold showers or lukewarm water. Plenty of water heaters on today’s market offer cost-effective methods of using and heating water. However, not all homeowners know what these heaters offer or even how to connect with plumbers in their areas.

Here, one can learn everything they need to know about getting a new water heater. Of course, if one has questions specific to their circumstances, one should call a professional to learn more.

Homeowners Can Save Energy and Money with a New Water Heater

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that, on average, a tank-reliant water heater can last about ten to 15 years. The older an appliance gets, the less effective it becomes. While homeowners can endlessly opt for repairs, nothing saves more money than a water heater straight off the assembly line.

Here’s what to know about saving money on energy bills with a new water heater:

Gas-powered tankless water heaters are today's market's most effective water heaters. They emit more water and save more money when compared to an electric water heater.
Tankless water heaters (or on-demand water heaters) don’t waste energy by continuously warming water. It heats water on demand, only using energy at a homeowner’s request.
EnergyStar produces water heaters that can save homeowners more than $3,500 over the unit’s lifetime.

As noted, tank-reliant water heaters usually have a lifespan of about 15 years. That’s not the case for tankless water heaters, which can last over 20 years without problems.

Newer Water Heaters Heat More Water Over Shorter Periods

Some water heaters do work better than others. Standard water heaters take about 30 to 40 minutes to heat up the water in their tanks. How long it takes to use that water depends on the home’s energy consumption, among other factors.

Tankless water heaters offer the most “bang” for homeowners’ buck. Here are some things to know about how these systems:

For homes that use less than 40 gallons a day, tankless water heaters can cut costs up to 34 percent.
Having multiple water heaters could save even more money. This is ideal for larger properties with multiple tenants.
Tankless water heaters are great at retaining heat. This maximizes each dollar homeowners spend to keep these systems running.

Newer Water Heaters Use Less Space

Water heaters are much smaller than they were 20 years ago. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that tankless water heaters (surprise, surprise) make the most of their space. They can fit into compact areas because they don’t rely on unwieldy tanks. They also don’t require as much energy as tank-reliant water heaters, so homeowners have more options for replacement.

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

B&L Plumbing and Heating has a lot to be proud of. This veteran-owned company has enjoyed serving Colorado Springs residents since 1999. That’s more than 20 years of top-notch service. In addition to offering exclusive membership plans, they offer discounted services, online scheduling, and more. They also don’t charge after-hours fees for emergencies. Call today for water heating service!