Tankless Hot Water Heater Installation In Houston For Homeowners

Tankless water heaters are small but efficient appliances that have made providing your home with the hot water you need for daily tasks easier, more reliable, and more cost-effective than ever before. There are several distinct benefits associated with tankless water heater installation, allowing you to enjoy a more energy- and water-efficient lifestyle while also reducing your monthly utility bills.

Tankless water heaters have been gaining popularity in American homes due to their efficiency, their size, and their convenience.

Tankless Hot Water Heater Installation For Home

Whether you are building a new home or retrofiiting an older one (like me), take time to evaluate the hot water system. After all, estimates say that as much as 30% of a home?s energy budget is consumed by heating water.

My new ?old house? came complete with an old and rusted gas-fueled tank-style water heater in the attic that was dying? well, dead. The question was not ?should it be replaced?? but rather, ?should it be replaced with a similar model or a new tankless system??

A traditional water heater continuously heats water in the tank, regardless of whether it is being used. By comparison, the newer tankless designs heat water only when there is demand for it. Less stored water to heat meansaless cost?and let?s not forget, a more compact, wall-mounted design.

I did some research on water heating in general and tankless hot water heaters specifically, and here is what I learned:

Size Matters:aTankless hot water heaters are available in room or whole-house sizes. Calculate how many appliances or fixtures need hot water in order to determine the best size unit for your home. For me, a whole-house system was needed.

Fuel Type: Hot water heaters are available in either electric or gas (natural and propane) models. If you are considering electric, check for voltage and amperage requirements. The gas version will need some electric to operate, but venting will be the bigger issue.

Location: If you live further north, your ground water will be colder than if you reside in the southern or western part of the country. The temperature of the water will affect the speed and flow.

Know the Flow:aIf you think you will need to run the dishwasher while someone else is showering, assume a larger gallons-per-minute (GPM) rate will be on order to meet your overall water needs. Take into account water usage, too: A bathroom needs less water than a kitchen, a dishwasher less than a shower, and so on. Read full article..

The Importance Of Tankless Hot Water Heater Installation

Installing a new hot water heater isn?t as simple as other home updates. Hiring a professional to install your new hot water heater means it will be installed properly and safely. This saves you time, and in the long run, could saveayou money.aCall (713) 812-7070aus for your home service and repair needs.

For more related articles and info visitahttps://www.abacusplumbing.net/category/plumbing/

Energy Star Water Heater Versus Standard Efficiency

Your Lifetime Cost For Each

After cooling and heating costs, water heating is the next largest energy consumer in your home. aIf you are consideringareplacing your gas or electric water heater, choosing an Energy Star water heateramay save you money over the lifespan of the new water heater. a While there are very efficient (and more expensive) water heaters available, they don?t always make economic sense ? it largely depends on the number of people in your household.

The Energy Star Certification means the item uses less fuel than those which don?t earn the certification. aIt does not guarantee a lifetime savings with the Energy Staramodel. aLifetime savings is initial purchase cost + operating costs over the lifetime of the item. aToday?s water heaters last, on average, last around 10 years.

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ForaElectric Water Heaters

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Rheem Standard Efficiency Electric a a a a a a a a aRheem Energy Star Water Heater a(with High-EfficiencyaHeat-Pump)

Operating Cost-1o Years = $5,550.00 a a a a a a a Operating Cost-1o Years = $2,150.00 a a a aOperating Costs Savings ? 10 Years a$3,400.00 a a aThat savings is impressive!

But? aThere is more to the story in DFW:

• The Department of Energy (DOE) conducts water heater efficiency-tests at 68 degrees.
• In DFW, our water heaters are typically located in the garage or attic.
• As the garage / attic temperature falls below 68 degrees, the Energy Star Water Heater (with heat pump)amust run longera(than during DOE tests). aThis makes operating costs higher.
• If the garage / attic temperature falls below 40 degrees, or rises above 120 degrees (which is much of the year in a DFW attic) ?athe Energy Star water heater switches over to all-electric water heating. The more time the water heater is running in all-electric mode, the higher the operating costs.
• For these reasons, the annual operating costs on the yellow EnergyGuide don?t accurately apply to DFW (unless your water heater is located within heated / cooled living space).
• The Heat-Pump Water Heater Purchase Cost is around 2-1/2 times the cost of the standard water heater.

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Determining If an electric Energy Star Water Heater is worth the extra purchase cost:

• Compute your annual operating costs with this DOE calculator: aDOE Water Heater Operating Cost Calculator
• Use 25 gallons of hot water for each person in the household
• Enter .95 as the Energy Factor for standard electric water heater
• Enter $.10 (10 cents per kWh) as the cost of electricity
• Enter 1 foraQuantity of Water Heaters to be Purchased (If you have more than 1 water heater, enter the number of water heaters your home has).
• The Energy Star Water Heater (with heat pump) has an Energy Factor of 2.5 (+250% more energy efficient) ? the DOE calculator won?t take a number above .95 so divide the standard standard electric water heater?s annual operating cost by 250% (use the % key). aThis will give you the Annual Operating Cost for a Heat-Pump Water Heater
• For Lifetime Operating Cost: Take the Annual Cost Savings x 10 (years)

Last: Subtract theaAdditional Purchase Cost from the HPWH 10 yearaOperating Cost Savings. aKeeping in mind the HPWH will be more expensive to operate in DFW than the DOE estimate.

(An Energy Star Heat-Pump Water Heater Purchase Cost is around +250% more than standard water heater).

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EXAMPLES:

For a 5 person household:

• 125 gallons of hot water per day (for a 5 person household)
• .95 Energy Factor
• $.10 10 cents / kWh for Electricity Cost
• 1 aNumber of Water Heaters
• Annual Energy Cost for Standard Electric Water Heater = $900.00
• For HPWH: 900 divided by 250% (use the calculator?s % key) = $360.00
• Energy Savings per year with the Energy Star Water Heater: $540.00
• Energy Saving Over 10 Year Water Heater Lifetime: = $5,400.00

Summary: aFor a 5 person household, the operating costs savings would be moreathan the difference in purchase cost in a DFW home with water heater in garage or attic.

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For a 1 person household:

• Annual Energy Cost for Standard Electric Water Heater = $180.00
• For HPWH: 900 divided by 250% (use the calculator?s % key) = $72.00
• Energy Savings per year: $108.00
• Energy Savings Over 10 Year Water Heater Lifetime: = $1,080.00

Summary: aFor a 1 person household, the operating costs savings would be likely be less than the difference in purchase costain a DFW home with water heater in garage or attic.

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For GAS Water Heaters:

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Rheem Standard Efficiency Gas a a a a a a a a a a a a aRheem Energy Star rated Gas

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Determining if an Energy Star GAS Water Heater Is Worth the extra purchase cost:

• Compute your annual operating costs with this DOE calculator: aDOE Water Heater Operating Cost Calculator
• Change calculator to GAS water heater
• Use 25 gallons of hot water for each person in the household
• Enter .60 as the Energy Factor for standard gas water heater
• Enter .68 as the Energy Factor for High-Efficiency gas water heater
• Enter $.98 (98 cents per therm) as the cost of gas
• Enter 1 foraQuantity of Water Heaters to be Purchased (If you have more than 1 water heater, enter the number of water heaters your home has).
• ForaLifetime Operating Cost: Take the Annual Cost Savings x 10 (years)

Last: Subtract theaAdditional Purchase Cost from the Energy Star rated gas water heater from thea10 yearaOperating Cost Savings.

(An Energy Star Gas High-Efficiency Water Heater Purchase Cost is around +35% more than the cost of the standard water heater).

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For a 5 person household:

• 125 gallons of hot water per day (for a 5 person household)
• .60 Energy Factor
• $.98 (98 cents per therm of gas)
• 1 aNumber of Water Heaters
• Annual Energy Cost for Standard Gas Water Heater = $475.00
• Annual Energy Cost for Energy StaraGas Water Heater = $420.00
• Energy Savings per year: $55.00
• Energy Saving Over 10 Year Water Heater Lifetime: = $550.00

Summary: aFor a 5 person household, the operating costs savings would be moreathan the purchase cost differencea(regardless of water heater location).a

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For a 1 person household:

• Annual Energy Cost for Standard Electric Water Heater = $84.00
• Annual Energy Cost for Energy StaraGas Water Heater = $ 95.00
• High-Eff Energy Savings per year: $ 9.00
• Energy Savings Over 10 Year Water Heater Lifetime: = $90.00

For a 1 person household, the operating costs savings with and Energy Star water heaterawould be likely be less than the purchase cost difference (regardless of water heater location). a For a 5 person household, savings would likely be more than the purchase costs difference. aYou can use the calculator shown earlier in this article to determine your savings, based on the number of people in your household.

SUMMARY:

Energy Star products always use less fuel that their counterparts without an Energy Star rating. aIn order to determine if the savings is more than the purchase cost difference, you must determine the savings for your household. aIn nearly all cases, the saving increases with increased household size.

When considering an Energy Star model, you must look at the lifetime costs which includes both Purchase Price + Operating Costs over the lifetime of the product. aWith that, you can determine if a notably larger purchase price is justified for your household. aWhen the purchase price difference is modest, it?s likely safe to conclude the Energy Star model will save you money.

Al?s Plumbing, Heating & A/C repairs and replaces any brand of Water Heater. aDepending on its age and what?s wrong with the water heater, you can determine if replacement is a better option. In some cases (such as a leaking water tank) ? the water heat cannot be repaired, so replacement is your only option. aHowever, if your water heater has stopped heating, there are several parts which have a modest replacement cost, making repairing the water heater perhaps the better option.

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Many people probably dont look at their toilets as appliances, but it is. And just like your appliances, toilets also have to be replaced. But how do you know when it is time to replace your toilet? Perhaps you are noticing maintenance issues. Maybe your not sure if your toilet needs to be replaced. If you watch out for particular warning signs then these can be indicators that you need a new toilet.

Enormously typical clogs from excess or unsuitable flushed items can mean nightmare-inducing overflows and repellent plunging and mopping experiences. Though older low flush toilet technology can contribute to this experience and may make you wary, rest assured that toilet technology and water savings have improved tremendously in recent years. If you find yourself plunging due to arbitrary stoppages about once a week, it?s time to hang up the plunger. If you?re certain it?s stoppage associated, and have tried a plunger, call a plumber. Plumbing to tackle those tough clogs and getting your toilet back in working order is the least stressful thing to do.

Constant running or spontaneous refills typically indicate a worn or damaged flapper, or an improperly adjusted float. Flappers are simple and inexpensive to replace as well as easy to diagnose with a simple dye test. If the flapper doesn?t leak, make sure the water level is not too high and running into the excess pipe by adjusting the float. Cracks or leaks in old floats in need of replacement may also cause this issue. Be certain to address leak issues quickly to avoid the nightmare and mess upon receiving your next utility bill. Why stress when you can clean up the mess?

Low water levels could stop your toilet from flushing properly. You can simply take a look in your tank and see if it is filling to proper levels. One inch from the top of the overflow tube to be exact. You can do this with the assistance of a screwdriver on valve style mechanisms. If this isn?t the case, grab a wire coat hanger, being careful not to scratch the bowl, and try loosening waste in the holes or jet with the aid of a small mirror.

Leaks, bad seals, broken flanges, and unseen hairline cracks are most frequently ignored until the floor around your toilet begins to soften. Damage to flooring adjacent to your toilet and a general spongy feel to the floor. If not addressed, possible mold, rot, and structural damage can occur. If you notice flooring damage, contact a plumber for diagnosis. A broken flange may cause leaks. If this is not the case, you may simply need a new wax ring. However, if these fixes do not address the situation, you may be dealing with a hairline crack. If your toilet is old and you?ve already removed it from the floor, it?s a great time to consider an upgrade for water savings and avoiding expensive and widespread forthcoming repairs. The least amount of repairs the better.

Overall, we most definitely take our toilets for granted. If we didnt have them then how would we dispose our waste? So be kind to your toilet and make sure to take the measurable steps to get it replaced if needed. Here are some interesting facts on the toilet that are surprising, but at the same time make sense. They are provided by List Verse. The average person spends three whole years of their life sitting on the toilet. The first toilet cubicle e in a row is the least used (and consequently cleanest). An approximate 2.6 billion people worldwide do not have access to proper toilet facilities, particularly in rural areas of China and India. To finish, the toilet is flushed more time during the super bowl halftime than at any time during the year.

It?s important that any sink, including a sink in an island, is properly vented. That way, there will be enough air supply to the drain pipes to enable the waste water to flow through them freely. The problem

faucet

is that the job is a little tricky, to say the least. Normally, in order for a sink to be properly vented, its vent needs to rise to a level that?s six inches higher than that of the sink itself before its pipe turns horizontally. You can?t do that if the sink is on an island, so you have to get a little bit creative.

To make matters worse, sometimes additional floor joists need to be drilled. If you aren?t extremely careful, this can make your floor weaker. Plus, a lot of people use ceramic tile in their kitchen, which poses yet another problem. As for the drilling of holes through floor joists, this is a common component of this kind of procedure, but there are some specific codes that your plumber will need to follow. Unless you?re very confident doing this type of work, it?s probably best to enlist the services of a professional to assist you. Even then, it wouldn?t be a bad idea to ask your contractor to show you the actual code itself in order to make sure that he or she is adhering to it.

For example, the maximum sized hole in an eight-inch floor joist should not exceed two inches. Keep in mind, too, that this and other requirements assume that any necessary holes are being drilled into the center of their respective joists, and not anywhere near their edges. If a joist is notched near its top or bottom, then it will be severely weakened. Thus, this type of notching should be avoided also.

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Prevent Having A Plumbing Emergency!

Posted by Hy-Pro Plumbing & Drain Cleaning on May 18/2016 | 0 Comments

Ever Had An Unexpected Plumbing Emergency?

A plumbing emergency can happen, but they?re never appreciated. Having your ?normal? turned upside down can be a stressful and frustrating thing. As such, our emergency plumbers are always here to help. Nobody likes calling their plumber. Though we take pride in our ability to help when a toilet clogs or a pipe bursts, we prefer providing you with the tools to help prevent these things from ever happening.

How Can You Prevent A Plumbing Emergency?

A regular maintenance routine is a great and simple way to prevent disaster from striking. In the past, we?ve supplemented useful advice with helpful tips on how to inspect and clean your plumbing and drainage system. No plumbing license required ? novice and expert DIY-ers alike can do most of what we suggest.

Sometimes, however, it isn?t what you do but what you don?t do to your plumbing that matters the most. Today, we?d like to help you break some unhealthy habits that could be putting your system at risk. A lot of our ?do not?s? are actively combatting the techniques, lessons, or common rules of thumb that no bearing on your plumbing?s wellbeing.

What Are The Definite Dont?s In A Plumbing Emergency?

The Internet can be a very useful resource. But that does not mean you should consult it every single time, especially during an emergency. Essentially, don?t believe everything you read online. It?s tempting to type into your search bar for the answers to your questions. Unfortunately, your queries aren?t always resolved by an expert plumber.

You could very well be getting advice from a fellow DIY-er. DIYs typically provide an immediate solution, one that mayasacrifice the long-term health of your plumbing system for more time. Don?t get us wrong. DIYs can be helpful and useful depending on what the problem is. But to be on the safe side in preventing a plumbing emergency in the future, it?s best to consult your professional plumber on the most beneficial and unharmful methods or to take more mindful advice from websites who are written or monitored by experienced plumbers.

DON?T pour hot water into your toilet bowl. This may seem obvious to some, but for those who have frantically Googled ways to unclog a toilet, it?s not so strange of an idea. It?s a common misconception that hot or boiling water should be poured down the toilet in an attempt to loosen up whatever caused the clog in the first place. It may very well do that, but side effects include the ability to damage your toilet. The porcelain of the bowl wasn?t made to handle high temperatures, so boiling water can actually crack its material, which is much harder to fix than a simple clog.

DON?T store heavy belongings over your sinks or toilet. If they should ever fall, they can end up cracking, chipping, or denting your sink or toilet bowl. Stranger things have happened than a shelving unit collapsing ? trust us!

DON?T use drain cleaner when trying to clear a clog. These liquid chemicals may be easy to find at your local hardware store, but they have no business coming into your home ? let alone down your pipes. The harsh chemicals in these solutions are harmful to your pipes, the environment, and to you! The hydrochloric acid used to eat away at clogs will also corrode your pipes and create an even bigger mess down the line. This acid is severely dangerous if it?s inhaled or ingested, and it will stay in landfills and water supplies far longer than you?d think.

The Best Prevention Method In A Plumbing Emergency

Again, a lot of people consult the Internet for a variety of problems, plumbing included. While there are helpful tips in the massive pool of educational articles, keep in mind that these tips may not work for you or your system. A lot of written content gets continuously filtered as writers consult to it and take what they read into their own words. While the main message and main points will be reiterated, they might miss on small and crucial details. Therefore, be mindful what you read online and consult your local plumber if it?s an action safe to take to prevent calls.

Now that you know what not to do, it?s time to know what you can do. In case your toilet or sink clogs, pick up the phone and give one of our expert plumbers a call. They?re available any time of the day or night to help you with your plumbing disasters. No overflowing toilet or bubbling sink will go unfixed ? even if it happens in the wee hours of the morning. With knowledgeable and friendly service, we make our visits as quick and efficient as possible, so you can get back to normal again. So give us a call when your maintenance fails to stop an emergency. We?ll be there!