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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!

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Is Water Hammer Turning a Cozy Home into a Haunted House?

What To Do About the Scary Banging Sound Coming From the Walls

Most everyone likes a good scare during the Halloween season. A little fun fright to get the blood pumping is a good trick — as long as a delicious treat follows it. But what if that frightening banging sound from behind the walls has become more concerning? Most often, this is caused by a plumbing problem known as water hammer. Luckily, it’s pretty simple to diagnose and even easier to fix with the help of a plumbing professional. Read on to learn what to do about water hammer!

What Causes Water Hammer?

Water hammer is a term for noise caused by water in a plumbing system. Water flows in the pipes, which lead to valves that allow those in the home to access the water. Valves include those at the toilet, shower, sinks, outdoor spigots, or water fixtures in the laundry room. Any of these can cause water hammer when the valve is closed. If the water suddenly has no place to go, it can cause banging sounds in the wall by slamming against the side of the pipe, even causing the pipe to move.

Water Hammer Side Effects

Besides being an annoyance, water hammer can lead to some serious side effects. It can cause wear-and-tear to valves, joints, and fixtures. And since most of the damage happens to plumbing components that are out of sight, it can be hard to tell when or if the components need repair. Unfortunately, if water hammer is allowed to persist, it can cause leaks and associated damage, which can be expensive to fix.

Water hammer can also indicate other problems with the system, such as overly high water pressure or loose pipes. It’s important to determine what’s causing water hammer, as many variables could contribute to the noisy pipes. Luckily, a professional plumber can help.

How a Professional Can Fix Water Hammer

With the help of a qualified professional, homeowners can easily fix banging pipes. Most homes actually have air chambers in the walls to help prevent water hammer. However, if the air chambers get water in them, they won’t be able to provide the “cushion” to stop the noise any longer. A plumber can not only identify if the home has air chambers; they can also drain the water from them so they work again.

If the home doesn’t have air chambers, a professional plumber can install water hammer arrestors to eliminate the issue. But sometimes, the problem isn’t with the pipes at all. Rather, it’s with the pressure in the system. Overly high water pressure can cause water hammer. Likewise, loose pipes can cause banging, even if the pressure isn’t high. Another option is to add cushioning around pipes to protect them and prevent the banging noise that is water hammer. No matter the cause, a qualified professional can provide the right tools and expertise for fixing water hammer.

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

B&L Plumbing and Heating has been proudly serving Colorado Springs, CO, since 1999. They provide peace of mind, never considering the job done until the customer is completely satisfied. They also offer tailored options and never charge after-hours fees for emergency service. For help fixing water hammer in Colorado Springs, CO, contact B&L Plumbing and Heating today.

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Why Install a Home Water Filtration System?

Understanding the Benefits of Water Filtration

Water is arguably the most precious resource in the world - without it, life wouldn't exist. Fortunately, most parts of the developed world have abundant potable water. Even in places like Colorado that experience long periods of drought, virtually every home has a steady water supply.

The trouble is that the tap's water isn't always pristine. Whether from a municipal water supply or a private well, a home's water can contain a wide range of contaminants, even after passing through water treatment facilities or the earth's natural filtration processes. Installing a water filtration system in the home is a great way to protect against these contaminants - but it can also have some other advantages. This article will explain three ways homeowners can benefit from a water filtration system!

Safer & Better-Tasting Water

Person drinking a glass of clear water, emphasizing the benefits of safe and better-tasting drinking water from a filtration system.

The most important benefit of a water filtration system is that it makes water safe for use. A quality reverse osmosis water filter can remove heavy metals (lead, arsenic, chromium, etc.), bacteria, and other contaminants that negatively affect health.

Removing harmful pollutants doesn't just make water safer - it can also make it taste better. Some pollutants may not be harmful but can affect the taste and smell of the water. For instance, chlorine is often used to treat water and is considered safe to ingest in small amounts, but it can give water a noticeable chemical flavor. On the other hand, water that has passed through a reverse osmosis system will be free from such pollutants and taste pure and clean, as water should.

Helps Save Money

Person placing a coin into a pink piggy bank, symbolizing savings and financial benefits of installing a water filtration system.

Another advantage of filtered water that often gets overlooked is that it can help homeowners cut costs. The expenses can add up quickly if the household relies primarily on bottled water for its drinking water needs. The initial cost of installing a reverse osmosis filtration system is less than some households spend on bottled water every year, so it's an investment that can pay for itself relatively quickly.

Many homeowners install a single point-of-use filtration system under their kitchen sink to provide clean drinking water. This alone can lead to significant savings, but the rest of the house will still get unfiltered water. This is why some homeowners prefer to install a whole-home water filter, generally located where the main water supply enters the home.

Whole-home systems can also help save money - just in less obvious ways. Unfiltered water often contains heavy metals and minerals that can cause corrosion or leave mineral deposits inside the pipes, fixtures, and appliances. This can lead to costly repairs and reduce the lifespan of appliances. Having only pure, filtered water running through the home helps homeowners save their money and their plumbing system as a whole!

More Environmentally Friendly

Not having to rely on bottled water also means a more eco-friendly home. Even with the widespread recycling programs throughout the nation, most plastic bottles wind up in landfills or the ocean. Since plastic doesn't readily biodegrade, this can take a major toll on the environment.

Installing a home water filtration system helps the environment by reducing the number of disposable consumer plastics used. Though it may seem like a drop in the bucket (no pun intended), every little bit helps!

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

The veteran-owned B&L Plumbing and Heating has been pridefully serving the Colorado Springs community since 1999. Their trustworthy licensed experts always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks, ready to provide tailored options, up-front pricing, and award-winning service. They offer a rewarding membership maintenance plan and 24/7 emergency service with no after-hours fees. Call B&L today for water filter installation in Colorado Springs, CO!

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Water Heaters 101

Learning About the Different Types of Water Heaters

It's the time of year when summer plans wind down and kids start thinking of going back to school. As a homeowner, there's no excuse to stop learning. As the kids head back to the classroom, take every opportunity to learn that is available. In this article, plumbing contractors want to help homeowners out with quick knowledge about their water heaters.

Taking the time to learn about options and maintenance of water heaters can save homeowners headaches and lots of dollars by allowing them to make informed decisions. Here's a quick guide to help homeowners brush up on their water heater knowledge.

How Many Types of Water Heaters Are There?

The utility type is the first thing a homeowner should look at when shopping for a water heater. These appliances come in two types with different benefits for each one:

Gas: Gas water heaters are generally cheaper due to low natural gas prices but not all homes are outfitted for propane or natural gas service. Advances in technology have allowed gas water heaters to be very efficient.
Electric: Electric water heaters are reliable and cheaper to purchase than gas water heaters. Easy installation means that these are usually cheaper upfront.

In the end, likely the best choice will be whatever utility is already present in the home. Installing gas or electric service to accommodate a new style is usually very expensive.

Apart from choosing the utility that powers a water heater, two main types of water heaters are generally installed:

Conventional Hot Water Tanks: These units are usually cheap to install because they are likely to replace existing water tanks. These units heat a tank full of water where it waits to be distributed around the home.
Tankless Water Heaters: Tankless water heaters are more expensive upfront, but they increase energy efficiency by providing instant and endless hot water on demand.

Maintenance Tips for Any Water Heater

Water heaters are expensive appliances that one should take care of if they are expected to last long. Regardless of the style of the water heater, there are a few maintenance practices that can help homeowners get the most out of their water heaters:

Drain the tanks annually
Flush sediment from the empty tank
Inspect heating elements of electric tanks
Clean burners in gas units

Most of these steps can be done by the homeowners, but local plumbers offer tune-up packages to take the hassle out of the job for homeowners who don't want to mess with it.

Signs a Water Heater Needs Repairs

Homeowners may not be shopping for a new water heater yet, but still, everyone should pay attention to these signs that indicate they may need water heater repairs:

Insufficient hot water
Water isn't hot enough
No hot water at all
Discolored water
Thumping or hissing noises
Tripped breakers

If any of these problems are present, water heater repairs will be necessary. In most cases, one can quickly make repairs, but eventually, a water heater replacement will be the most cost-efficient option.

About B&L Plumbing and Heating

B&L Plumbing and Heating has been solving plumbing problems in Colorado Springs, CO since 1999. Their technicians always take the time to educate their customers and design custom solutions to their problems. With B&L Plumbing and Heating, their emergency service won't break the bank because they never charge extra for overtime hours. Call now for water heater services.

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How To Choose a Water Softener

Reasons To Install a Water Softener

There are many reasons to install a water softener in a home or business, and it’s important to grasp the symptoms and effects that hard water has on a plumbing system and appliances. Hard water has lots of hard minerals like calcium and magnesium in it. While water filtration will remove harmful bacteria and disease-causing organisms, calcium and magnesium are not harmful to drink. Still, they can be annoying and even shorten the life of appliances.

Either city water or well water can be hard, although well water tends to have a higher mineral content than city water since it comes straight out of the ground.

In this article, experts share helpful tips for homeowners to find their ideal unit.

The Benefits of Water Softeners

Hard water is full of minerals, and these minerals will build up in pipes, fixtures, appliances, and anywhere else that water is used. The minerals often leave a white scale on the surface of a faucet or in a sink. This can lead to serious build up over time, and if significant enough, can cause washing machines and dishwashers to break sooner than expected. Hard water will also leave spots and residue on dishes. Laundry can become stiff and not feel as clean as it should. Many people even experience dry, itchy skin or hair from hard water.

When any of the hard water symptoms are present, it’s time to consider a water softener! Water softeners can be installed for an entire house, effectively eliminating any issues that hard water causes. There are two main types of water softeners, salt-based and not salt-based.

How Do Salt-Based Water Softeners Work?

The first type of water softener is salt or sodium-based. These filters use sodium to remove excess mineral content. Because they fully remove the mineral build-up, these types of filters are the most effective, but there are still some things to consider. Salt filters exchange the ions holding the minerals and replace them with sodium ions instead. This does add salt to the water, but it does not change the taste or flavor of the water.

There is some concern over the fact that it increases the sodium level, but the amount it raises sodium is quite low and is generally not considered a health concern. Salt-based water softeners are the most common and effective treatment for hard water, but they require regular maintenance to function properly.

Understanding Salt-Free Water Softeners

There are two main types of salt-free softeners: potassium and magnetic. Magnetic softeners are not particularly effective. They remove impurities by passing the water through a magnetic field. This will temporarily remove impurities, but the minerals will work their way back into the system if the water sits for too long.

Potassium water softeners are the more common and effective variety of non-salt based softeners. They work by passing the water through potassium pellets, which crystallizes the minerals. This type of system is more of a conditioner than a softener - the minerals are still in the water; they are just less able to stick to pipes and fixtures.

Potassium-based systems require a bit less upkeep but aren’t as effective, and may allow some scale to build-up (although significantly less than not treating it period). When they do require maintenance, it usually costs more than a salt-based softener.

Ultimately either type of water softener will be a game-changer in the home. Deciding between salt or potassium-based softeners is up to the homeowner, but consulting with a good local plumber will often give better insight into exactly what works best in a given area.

Trust a Local Plumber

B&L Plumbing and Heating has been serving the Colorado Springs area since 1999. This veteran-owned company provides full plumbing services, with 24 hour service across Colorado Springs. They offer competitive rates and do not charge a fee for after-hours service.