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Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Getting the Most Out of Your Water Heater This Winter

As the temperature outside begins to drop, the prospect of a hot shower at the end of a long day becomes even more appealing. A few simple tips can help you get the most out of your home’s water heater for comfortable living all winter long.

Adjust the Temperature
Water heaters have variable temperature settings, allowing homeowners to choose the temperature of their hot water. The higher the temperature setting, the more energy your water heater uses. The ideal temperature setting on your water heater is essentially a balance between your comfort level and the cost of using the appliance. Most water heaters come from the manufacturer set at 140 degrees, which is higher than the average home needs. In fact, water at the hottest setting on your appliance can easily scald in seconds. Set your water heater at a maximum of 120 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid injury. This temperature should be sufficient for any household tasks, including comfortable bathing. If you are constantly turning up the temperature on your water heater but not getting the hot water you need, it’s time to call in a professional to check for problems. You can also turn down the heat on your water heater if you’ll be away from home for more than a few days. Set the dial to low or “vacation” mode to reduce the amount of energy used by your water heater and save money on your utility bill.

Use Low-Flow Fixtures
Low-flow showerheads and sink faucets can reduce your water usage by up to 60%. Using less water means using less hot water as well, which lowers the cost of running your water heater. Especially if your home is host to a large number of people, low-flow fixtures can stretch a possibly limited hot water supply farther, meaning everyone will be more comfortable. Even if your home utilizes a tankless water heater, reducing your hot water usage during the winter with low-flow fixtures puts less pressure on your system and still reduces the cost of obtaining hot water

Go Tankless
If your home has a tank water heater that is 10 years old or more, replacing it with a tankless water heater can help you save money and enjoy more hot water. Tankless water heaters heat water on demand rather than keeping a storage tank continually at the set temperature. In a home that uses 41 gallons of water a day or less, you can enjoy up to 34% in energy savings. Even if you use more than 41 gallons a day, you can still achieve savings of up to 14% due to increased efficiency. In order to maximize the savings you enjoy from your tankless water heater, take shorter showers and run appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines only when you can clean a full load of dishes or clothing.

Using your water heater wisely this winter will ensure your Omaha home has plenty of hot water while lowering the cost of your monthly utilities. If you’re having water heater problems or are ready to replace your current model, visit our website to find out how Aksarben/ARS can help. You can find more tips on water heater and HVAC maintenance for a comfortable home on our blog.

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Conserving Water in Your Home

Conserving water is both easy and economical. By using less water on a daily basis, you’ll not only lower your water bills but conserve this valuable natural resource. You don’t need to make significant lifestyle changes to reduce water usage in your Flagstaff home. A few simple changes to your habits and low-cost changes to your plumbing can result in immediate water savings you can enjoy.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures and Aerators
If your home has older plumbing fixtures, they could be using significantly more water than necessary to accomplish everyday tasks. Aging fixtures may use up to two and a half gallons of water per minute, which can add up over the course of a ten- or twenty-minute shower. Replacing your current showerheads with low-flow fixtures can reduce the flow rate during a shower by half or more. Although you are using less water, low-flow showerheads are designed to maintain high water pressure so your comfort won’t suffer. Low-flow showerheads are available at many home improvement and plumbing stores at low cost, so you don’t need to worry about a high-cost plumbing makeover. You can also purchase aerators for your kitchen and bathroom sink faucets. Aerators mix air with the water flow to cut the flow rate in your sink by nearly two gallons per minute without sacrificing water pressure.

Learn to Recognize Leaks
Home leaks can account for up to 90 gallons of wasted water each day. Learning to spot and address leaks can help you conserve water and protect your home from water damage. A sudden spike in your water bill compared with the previous month could be indicative of a leak. If you suspect you may have a running toilet, place a few drops of food coloring into the tank and wait 20 minutes. If color has appeared in the bowl, there is a leak between your toilet’s tank and bowl. Even if you are experiencing a small leak or water problem, call in a plumber to address the issue immediately. Over time, tiny drips and leaks add up into significant water usage and higher utility bills.

Use Water Wisely
Appliances such as dishwashers and washing machines make many chores easier. However, poor usage habits can result in unnecessary water waste. Only run your dishwasher or washing machine when you can clean a full load. If your washing machine features and adjustable water level, reduce the amount of water used when you do wash fewer clothes. If you care for your lawn regularly, install a rain barrel or recycle the water from washing vegetables in your sink to care for your lawn. Using recycled water to care for your lawn or landscaping can cut out nearly 30% of your monthly water consumption.

Are you ready to create a more sustainable household by implementing these simple water conservation techniques? You can learn more about water conservation and how your plumber can help your efforts by clicking through our blog. Visit our website to contact a professional and find out more about our repair, replacement, and upgrade services in Yavapai, Coconino, and Maricopa Counties.


Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Should You Switch to a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters have earned rave reviews for their ability to produce endless, on-demand hot water for your home. However, there are drawbacks as well as benefits to replacing your storage water heater with a tankless model. If you’re ready to replace your water heater and aren’t sure whether you should go tankless, keep reading to explore some of the pros and cons of switching to a tankless water heater.

Tank Water Heaters
Traditional tank water heaters store heated water inside a tank. Because water is kept hot even when it is not needed, your water heater experiences standby heat loss. Standby heat loss refers to heat that is lost through the insulated walls of the tank. Energy—which costs money—is used to compensate for this heat loss whenever the temperature of the water inside the tank falls too low. A tank water heater also produces a limited supply of hot water. Although water is continually fed into the tank and heated to replace lost volume, if you use all the hot water in your tank at once, you must wait before you can enjoy hot water once more. However, a properly-sized tank water heater can provide sufficient hot water for all your needs and represents a lower initial investment than a tankless model.

Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater does not maintain a reservoir of heated water. Instead, these appliances work by heating water quickly as it flows through a heat exchanger. Water is only heated when you turn on the hot water tap, meaning you are only paying to heat the water you’re using. Tankless water heaters don’t suffer from standby heat loss, and a properly-sized water heater can provide enough hot water for many plumbing fixtures inside your home simultaneously. Because hot water is produced on demand, as long as you don’t exceed the capacity of your water heater, you will never run out of hot water. Additionally, installing a tankless water heater may qualify you for a federal tax credit or rebate on your purchase.

Considerations Before You Go Tankless
While tankless water heaters have many benefits over storage models, there are some drawbacks as well. A tankless water heater is harder to flush and clean than a tank water heater, and is more likely to require professional servicing if there is a problem. Tankless water heaters cost more to purchase and install than storage models, and you may need to increase the capacity of your home’s natural gas line to accommodate its energy needs. A tankless water heater requires a minimum flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute to activate its heat exchanger for the production of hot water. If your home utilizes low-flow fixtures at or near this rate, you may experience problems with your hot water. While tankless models advertise instantaneous and endless hot water, if you exceed the capacity of your water heater, you can still experience a shortage of hot water.

Are you considering installing a new water heater in your Knoxville home? You can explore your options with the help of a professional plumber when you visit our website. We invite you to click through the articles on the Mrs. Rooter blog to find more information about home plumbing appliances and how to choose the right one for your needs.


Monday, October 21, 2013

The Importance of Cleaning and Sealing Your Ducts

Ducts carry heated and cooled air from your furnace and air conditioner throughout your home. However, dirty ducts also carry dust, pollen, and other allergens along for the ride. Poorly-sealed ducts allow air to escape, lowering the efficiency of your heating and cooling system and raising the cost of maintaining comfort indoors. Having your ducts checked, cleaned, and sealed can alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms and lower the cost of heating and cooling your Detroit home.

Why Duct Cleaning Is Important
Over the years, dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens can accumulate in your home’s ducts. Changing your HVAC filter regularly is an excellent way to cut down on the amount of debris that enters your ducts, but without regular cleaning any dirt that has built up in your ducts remains there. When forced air travels through your system from your furnace or air conditioner, allergens are carried along as well. If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, dirty ducts may exacerbate these symptoms and make breathing more difficult. Ducts that have been exposed to moisture may harbor mold, a common indoor allergen. Clean ducts mean that the only thing traveling through your home and exiting your air registers is clean, comfortable air. Although duct cleaning has not been explicitly proven to alleviate allergy symptoms, it can be helpful in eliminating mold, pests, and other vermin that may be contributing to respiratory problems.

Why Duct Sealing Is Important
The ducts in your home transport heated and cooled air to air registers in each room. Ductwork inside most homes is comprised of a network of ducts that meet, join, and branch off in many directions. Leaks in the ducts or their connections mean air can escape rather than traveling to its final destination. Lost air results in lower heating and cooling efficiency inside your home, causing you to crank the thermostat higher or lower than necessary to achieve the desired result. Leaky ducts can raise the cost of using your air conditioner and furnace while decreasing their useful lifetimes by adding stress on the system. Duct sealing improves the energy efficiency of your HVAC system by up to 20%, allowing you to enjoy more comfortable indoor temperatures at a lower cost.


Your home’s ducts are an essential component of your HVAC system. Even if you already regularly maintain your furnace and air conditioner, ignoring your ducts can cost you in comfort and efficiency. You can find more tips on maintaining or replacing your home’s HVAC system by clicking on our website. We invite you to check out our duct cleaning services in Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Troy to learn more.

Saturday, October 19, 2013

Caring for and Clearing Your Toilet

You rely on working toilets in your home. With proper care, you will never have toilet trouble to cause stress. Severely-clogged toilets can overflow, damaging your home and resulting in costly repairs. If you run into trouble you can’t handle on your own, call a plumber promptly to address the issue.

Preventing Toilet Clogs
Your toilet may seem like a convenient trash receptacle, but its plumbing is not meant to handle most manmade waste. Toilet paper is designed to break up in water to prevent plumbing clogs, but other paper products do not have the same properties. Never flush tissues, paper towels, or baby wipes down your toilet, even if they claim to be flushable. Waste such as dental floss, hair, packaging, cigarettes, and food should not be flushed down your toilet. These items are too large to travel through your toilet’s plumbing, causing clogs and backups as they accumulate in your pipes. Other items that should never be flushed include condoms, cat litter, diapers, and feminine hygiene products.

Clearing a Clogged Toilet
If your toilet is clogged and will not drain, you can take steps to clear away the clog yourself. If the toilet is overflowing, first close the water shutoff valve to prevent further damage. The water shutoff valve is typically a silver handle located on the wall behind your toilet’s tank near the floor. Once the water has been turned off, you’ll need a toilet plunger to clear the drain. Place the plunger over the drain in the toilet bowl so it is completely covered. If there is not enough water in your toilet to cover the lip of the plunger, add water from a sink before proceeding. Depress and pull up on the plunger’s stick about ten to twelve times in a row without lifting the plunger away from the drain. Next, pull the plunger up out of the bowl in one smooth motion and see if the water drains away. If not, try again—it may take a few rounds with the plunger before the water will drain. Once the water drains properly from the bowl, turn on the water intake by rotating the water shutoff valve in the opposite direction and flush the toilet to check that it is working. If plunging does not clear out your toilet, it’s time to call a plumber to assess the situation. Never pour chemical drain cleaner down your toilet, as it may overflow and cause skin irritation or damage to your home. If you don’t have a plunger, you can try a few additional tricks to clear your toilet without a plunger before calling your plumber for help.


These tips should keep your Memphis home’s toilets in excellent condition for years to come. If you’d like more plumbing information from the pros, we invite you to check out the Mrs. Rooter blog. When it’s time to call in an experienced professional plumber, visit the Mr. Rooter website to find out more or schedule a visit. 

How to Keep Your Drains Clog-Free

When water disappears down your drain, it must travel through your home’s plumbing pipes before it reaches a sewer or septic tank. Keeping those pipes clear will prevent clogs and backups that can damage your home and cause undue stress. If you do experience sluggish drains or a clog that you can’t clear yourself, call in a plumber to assess the situation. Ignoring a clogged drain won’t solve your problem, and could lead to the need for more costly repairs if not addressed in a timely manner.

Don’t Treat Drains as Garbage Cans
Your drains and toilets are not meant to transport manmade waste. Even if you have a food disposal, there is a limit to how much solid matter your disposal can handle. Never put animal bones, fruit rinds, or other hard items down your disposal. Cooking fats and greases are common causes of kitchen sink clogs; although they are liquids when hot, they cool quickly and solidify inside your pipes. Store grease and fat in a can or jar and throw it away with the rest of your solid waste. Avoid treating your toilet as a trash can; never flush paper towels, tissues, baby wipes, paper, dental floss, feminine products, or diapers. All of these items can easily clog your toilet, your pipes, or your sewer line.

Use Hair Traps
Hair traps are small pieces of mesh that fit over the drains in your sinks, tubs, and showers. Use hair traps to prevent hair and larger debris from being washed down the drain. Although a few strands of hair may not seem substantial, over time hair can easily become caught in pipes and facilitate the creation of a larger clog by creating a net that traps other debris. If you have long hair, brush it out before you shower and throw excess hair in the trash.

Use Eco-Friendly Drain Cleaners
Chemical drain cleaners may seem like an easy solution to a clogged drain, but often these products do more harm than good. The chemicals in most drain cleaners loosen clogs by creating heat, which can warp or otherwise damage your plumbing pipes. Choose eco-friendly drain cleaners instead, which use enzymes and helpful bacteria to eliminate clogs by breaking down the organic matter creating the blockage. You can also try other plumbing-friendly methods of clearing clogs such as using a drain cleaner made from a combination of baking soda and vinegar.


Clear drains mean stress-free water usage throughout your South Carolina home. If you need help handling clogs or other plumbing issues, click through our website for more information from the pros or to contact a plumber for fast, effective service in Anderson and beyond. Check out our blog for more tips on easy plumbing maintenance and solutions.  

Friday, October 18, 2013

Maintaining Your Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters offer many advantages over traditional storage water heaters. Hot water is heated on demand, reducing energy consumption and providing as much hot water as you need for your home. Regular maintenance is an important part of owning any water heater, including a tankless model. Keep reading to find out how you can maximize your water heater’s performance for added savings and longevity.

Flushing Your Water Heater
Tankless water heaters can—and should—be flushed periodically. Minerals in your water can build up on the inside of the unit, reducing its ability to heat your water effectively and damaging its heating element. To flush your water heater, first turn off the power and any gas intake to the unit. Turn off the cold water intake and hot water output valves. Your water heater should have two isolation valves that are used during the flushing process: a cold water isolation valve and a hot water isolation valve. Consult your user’s manual or your plumber if you aren’t sure how to find them. Attach the cold water isolation valve to a small circulation pump using a length of hose. Connect a second length of hose to the hot water isolation valve, placing the other end in a five-gallon bucket. Place the inlet hose of your pump into the bucket as well. Fill the bucket with five gallons of white vinegar, and open both isolation valves. Turn on the pump and allow the vinegar to circulate for 45 minutes. After this time, turn off the pump and drain any remaining liquid from the cold isolation valve before closing it and removing the hose. Remove the hose from the hot water isolation valve and make sure the valve is closed. Turn on your cold and hot water valves and run a hot water tap in your home briefly to make sure no air is trapped in the system. Finally, restore power and gas to the water heater.

Cleaning the Filter Screen
Tankless water heaters utilize a filter screen to block incoming debris from entering the unit. This filter screen is located inside the cold water intake valve. To clean the screen, turn off the cold water intake and remove the screen. Flush it gently with water, following any specific instructions for cleaning the screen in your user’s manual. Once the filter is clean, replace it and turn the water intake valve back to the on position.


With a little regular care, your tankless water heater will function efficiently for years to come. If you have any questions, you can contact a professional plumber in Santa Cruz for advice or service by clicking through the Mr. Rooter website. We invite you to read through our blog for more home plumbing maintenance tips and information. 

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Easy Furnace Maintenance You Can Perform During the Summer

During the summer, a furnace in Detroit isn't likely to garner much attention.  As temperatures rise maintaining your air conditioner naturally becomes a primary focus. However, there are a number of simple maintenance tasks you should consider performing for your furnace as well. Summer is the perfect season to check and repair your furnace, ensuring it’s ready to go long before you’ll need it, preventing rushed repairs later on.

Change Your Furnace Filter
Your furnace filter actually filters all the air in your home, not just the air that enters your furnace. Changing the filter regularly is necessary for both optimum air conditioner and furnace performance. Most filters are rated at 30-90 days, meaning you should change your filter after this time. Changing the filter prevents dirt and dust from accumulating inside your furnace, air conditioner, and ducts, improving their efficiency and raising the quality of your indoor air.

Clean and Check Around the Furnace
During the summer, it can be tempting to store unused winter decorations, sports equipment, and more around your furnace. However, equipment can easily fall on or against your furnace, causing damage or becoming a fire hazard. These items can also block airflow, reducing your furnace’s efficiency when you do begin to use it. Make sure the area around your furnace is clear for approximately three feet in all directions. Check that the air intakes aren't blocked or clogged with dust, and inspect the ductwork that vents heat and gases away from your home. If you spot any signs of disrepair, have them addressed by a HVAC professional.

Install or Check CO Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a common byproduct of combustion inside your furnace. This gas is odorless, tasteless, and colorless, but causes detrimental health effects that worsen with increasing exposure. If you don’t have CO detectors located near your furnace, install them for increased safety. If you do have detectors, check that they have fresh batteries and that the wiring appears intact.

Seal Leaky Ducts
Your furnace blows heated air up through a series of ducts to be dispersed throughout your home. Check your furnace’s ductwork for air leaks and seal them with duct tape or duct mastic. Seal open areas around where the duct enters the ceiling above it with expanding foam purchased from a home improvement store. Taping insulation rated for furnace ductwork around the duct where it emerges from the unit can reduce heat lost through this essential connection.

Caring for the furnace in your Detroit home before you need it will ensure that it’s ready to provide efficient, safe heating once temperatures drop in the fall. Click through our website to learn more about the full range of services provided by Andy’s Statewide. We also provide more HVAC maintenance and troubleshooting tips to help you determine when professional repairs or tune-ups are needed.


Friday, September 13, 2013

When Should You Address That Leak: Now or Later?

Unless you’re faced with broken pipes or a burst washing machine hose, you may not feel the need to call a plumber to your home in Flagstaff, AZ. A dripping faucet or a small leak in your water heater don’t seem like large problems, but left unaddressed they can lead to costly waster waste and damage your home. Keep reading to find out why you should call a plumber as soon as you notice a leak you can’t fix yourself rather than waiting it out.

Wasted Water
Water is our planet’s most valuable natural resource. Even small leaks can add up to a large amount of water waste over time; a single dripping faucet wastes up to 3,000 gallons of water per year. If the environment isn't your first concern, consider your pocketbook. You can save ten percent or more on your water bill simply by fixing leaks around your home or having a plumber fix them for you.

Water Damage
Although it seems innocuous, water can cause significant damage to your home, especially over time. Water trails damage paint, plaster, wood, carpeting, and linoleum. Water-damaged flooring and walls must be replaced, costing you money. If the damage is particularly bad, areas of your home could become structurally unsafe, requiring expensive repairs. Wet insulation doesn't work as well, meaning you may end up paying more to heat or cool your home if you have a leak in your attic or inside a wall.

Mold Growth
Mold is a common household problem associated with standing water that a plumber can fix. Within only 24 hours, mold growth can take hold and spread quickly. Mold not only damages the surfaces it grows on, it also contaminates your indoor air. Airborne spores exacerbate allergies and asthma, and may cause headaches, nausea, and trouble sleeping or concentrating on tasks. Left untreated, mold can also cause upper respiratory infections and illness.

Bigger Plumbing Problems
Sometimes, a leak is a symptom of a larger plumbing problem lurking just around the corner. Failing gaskets or fixtures often leak before they break completely; fixing a small leak is infinitely easier than handling a large-scale flood in your home. Water leaking from your water heater may have many causes, but the two most common are a faulty temperature-pressure-relief valve or a corroded tank. If your temperature-pressure-relief valve isn't working correctly, it could cause your water heater to explode. A leaking tank is a sign that mineral scale has corroded the tank walls and your water heater needs to be replaced.

To learn more, visit our website for a list of our services, available 24/7 in Yavapai, Coconino and Maricopa Counties. You can also find some excellent tips, from the pros, on plumbing issues you can and can’t handle yourself on our blog.



Thursday, September 12, 2013

Water Conservation 101: Simple Ways to Reduce Your Water Use at Home

Memphis and the entire state of Tennessee have been experiencing drought conditions for several years now. With rainfall so scarce and supplies of groundwater from aquifers dwindling, it is more important than ever for homeowners to conserve all the water they can. By optimizing your Memphis plumbing system not only will this reduce your monthly utility bill, it will also help preserve our local water supply and ease the load on Memphis’s municipal waste-water treatment plants. The tips below can help you reduce your daily water usage.  

Fix Dripping Faucets
A tiny drop-by-drop leak from your kitchen or bathroom sink may not seem like much, but over the course of a year it can add up to several gallons of clean water that needlessly go down the drain. Often, you can correct a drip simply by ensuring that the spigots or handles on the sink are closed tightly, but you may need to call a professional plumber if the leak persists. You can replace the fixtures with new low-flow models if they are beyond repair.

Install Flow Restrictors
Older homes often feature faucets and bathtub spigots with high pressure and flow rates, which use more water per minute than more modern plumbing fixtures. If you don’t want to replace the entire fixture, you can install flow restrictors that will help reduce water usage. You don’t even have to change your hand washing or tooth brushing habits in order to benefit from this simple modification.

Upgrade Your Toilet
Aside from your shower, your toilet accounts for the largest percentage of your daily water usage. Older toilets use several gallons per flush, which can add up to dozens of wasted gallons over the course of a single day. Also, if your toilet plumbing valves leak, a constantly running toilet can waste hundreds of gallons per day. Upgrading to a new low-flow toilet can drastically cut your water costs.

Check for Hidden Plumbing Leaks
Over the years, pipes corrode, so the older your plumbing is, the more likely you are to have hidden pinhole leaks in your pipes. If the leaks develop in your basement, crawlspace, or garage, you can visually inspect for condensation, drips, and other signs yourself. Peeling paint on walls or ceilings, mold growth, and buckling drywall can all be signs of plumbing leaks inside your walls.  

Don’t Wash Half-Loads
This advice applies both to your dishwasher and your washing machine. Even if these appliances have water-saving settings, it is more efficient to run them only when you have a full load of dishes or clothes to wash. If you absolutely need a specific item before you have enough to run a cycle, you can hand wash it, but be sure that you don’t leave the water running while you are scrubbing, and try to rinse your item as quickly as possible.


For more information about Memphis plumbing upgrades, you can consult our Ask the Expert page. To learn more about topics such as water heater repair, drain cleaning, sewer line repair, and more, explore our main site

Water Heater Woes: Signs That It's Time to Replace This Vital Appliance

Water heaters don’t just allow you to take comfortable baths and showers, they also allow your dishwasher and washing machine to quickly and efficiently fight stains and grease with hot water. Like any major appliance, however, water heaters in Houston can and do break down, and they have a limited lifespan. If you wait until your water heater fails completely, however, you may have to go several days without hot water until a plumber can come replace it, and you risk water damage to your home if the tank leaks and causes a flood. Keep alert for the following signs of water heater failure:

Discharge in the Hot Water
The water supply in most cities, Houston included, contains a certain amount of dissolved minerals. While these minerals do not affect drinking water safety, over time they can build up inside your water heater. As they precipitate out of solution, minerals in your water supply can form a deposit of sediment inside your water heater. When the sediment layer becomes very thick, it may be near the end of the water heater’s life. You may notice that your hot water is extra cloudy or that it even contains fine particles of silt or rust. If this happens, and the cold water doesn’t have any discharge in it, this is a clear sign that it’s time to have a professional plumber come take a look at your water heater.

Increased Gas or Electric Bills
If you have an older home equipped with a holding tank-style water heater, then it most likely uses either gas or electricity to operate. Tank-style water heaters consume a certain amount of energy every day even when you are away from home, because they must hold the water in the reservoir at a constant hot temperature. Check your utility bills each month and carefully compare spending across different seasons. If you see a spike in your spending, even when you have subtracted the cost of heating or cooling your home, an aging water heater may be the culprit. An insulating blanket can help reduce the amount of energy your water heater uses, but it cannot make up for a failing appliance.

Reduced Hot Water Volume
This is the most obvious sign that your water heater needs to be replaced. If it is correctly sized for your home and the number of occupants, a properly functioning water heater should provide you with enough hot water for at least 30 minutes of continuous use, which is enough time for three people to take showers of a reasonable length. If you find that hot water is turning cold, even during the first person’s shower, or if you cannot run the hot water in the kitchen for even a second without giving the person taking a shower a blast of cold water, it’s time to replace your water heater.

In addition to new high-efficiency gas and electric tank-style models, new tankless models that use little to no standby energy are also available to replace your aging water heater in Houston. Visit our main site or consult our Ask the Expert page for more information on water heaters and other plumbing topics. 

Reasons to Call a 24-Hour Plumber: Emergencies That You Shouldn’t Ignore

As you may know, home-ownership goes hand in hand with many maintenance responsibilities. The plumbing, which consists of dozens of feet of piping running beneath the floors and inside the walls of your home, can present you with a host of problems. While some are minor and can be fixed easily with do-it-yourself solutions, others are more serious and require the immediate attention of a plumber.  By keeping the phone number of a good all-hours plumber on hand, you can be sure to get the help you need fast when you experience:

A Burst Pipe
Pipes can burst in your home for two main reasons. Age-related wear and corrosion can eat through the wall of the pipe and cause it to break, or an overnight freeze can cause ice to form inside a pipe, cracking it. The pipe will then begin to leak and flooding can occur when the ice melts. Either way, a pipe burst requires immediate attention from a plumber, because flooding can damage your walls and flooring materials and also cause mold to grow inside your home. Make sure you know where your main water shutoff is so that you can stop the flooding while you are waiting for your plumber to arrive.

A Clogged Drain
Your home’s drains carry waste-water from your sinks, dishwasher, washing machine, toilet, and bathtub to the main sewer line. Unfortunately, although the pipes are not designed to handle anything beyond water and toilet paper, other types of waste often end up getting washed down the drain. Food scraps, grease, facial tissues, cotton swabs, and other types of waste can stick inside your pipes and cause backups, which eventually lead to clogs. You should call a plumber to inspect and unclog your drains, because commercial drain cleaning chemicals can be very dangerous, and they may not effectively dissolve all blockages.

A Leaky Toilet
When the rubber seals that prevent water from flowing out of your toiler tank and into the bowl deteriorate, a slow leak of fluid causes water to constantly run. Toilet leaks can waste hundreds of gallons each day, so if you hear your toilet running, you should determine if there is a leak. Add a few drops of food coloring to the tank and wait about an hour to see if it leaks into the bowl. If it does, call a plumber to fix the problem so that you can avoid elevated water bills.

A Collapsed Sewer Line
The sewer line that runs beneath your home and connects it to the municipal waste-water system is very vulnerable to collapse. Shifting soil can exert uneven pressure on the pipe, minerals in the water supply may corrode it over time, and tree roots searching for water can attack it and expand any existing cracks. If your sewer line collapses, your crawlspace, basement, or home can fill with contaminated, disease-causing water. You will need to hire a plumber immediately to replace the sewer line.


For more information on common plumbing concerns or to schedule for a plumber to come check problems in your home, visit our main page and consult the Ask the Expert section of our site. 

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Are You Getting the Most from Your Air Conditioning in Detroit?

An efficient cooling system doesn't necessarily need to be brand-new. Even if your home and HVAC system are older, there are many easy ways to improve your air conditioner’s performance during the Detroit summer. Read more to learn how you can get the most from your air conditioning this year.

Is Your Thermostat Old?
Your home’s thermostat is the driving force that prompts your air conditioning to turn on and off. When you set the thermostat to a certain temperature, this tells your air conditioner to regulate the indoor comfort. If your thermostat is old, poorly calibrated, or difficult to set, it could be affecting the efficiency and effectiveness of your air conditioner. Many older thermostats have an arm that can be used to set the temperature. These thermostats often involve significant guesswork to find the right temperature, and are not nearly as efficient as newer digital models. Replacing your old thermostat with a digital one is an easy task that can significantly increase the efficiency of the air conditioning in your Detroit home.

Is Your Thermostat In the Right Place?
The placement of your thermostat is just as important to its function as the thermostat itself. If your thermostat is located near any source of heat or cold, these influences could be affecting its readings and causing temperature problems in the rest of your home. Sources of heat and cold can be anything from a nearby window or appliance to a thermostat located beneath a fan or air register. If you think your thermostat needs to be moved, contact an HVAC professional to get the job done easily and quickly.

Are You Cooling Your Home Wisely?
You want your home to be cool and comfortable while you’re in it—but you don’t need to maintain the same colder temperatures when you’re not around. Turn your thermostat up a few degrees every time you leave home. Without the extra body heat and activity, it will be easier for your air conditioner to keep you home comfortable even when set slightly higher. If you have a programmable thermostat, create a weekly program that coincides with your schedule so you don’t need to change the temperature every day. Additionally, run dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers later in the evening, after the ambient temperature has begun to drop. This makes it easier for your air conditioner to compensate for these heat sources and keep your home cool without working significantly harder.

Are Your Ducts and Registers in Good Repair?
Your home’s ductwork and air registers distribute cooled air as it leaves your air conditioner. If your ducts are dirty or have leaks, then you aren't getting the full benefit of your HVAC system. Have a Detroit HVAC professional check and clean your home’s ductwork before the summer temperatures fully hit. Repairing leaks and ensuring airways are clear can significantly decrease the load on your air conditioner while maintaining a more comfortable home.


At Andy’s Statewide, we promise the best heating and cooling service in Detroit. By visiting our website you can obtain a full list of our services, schedule a home visit and find more tips on maintaining your Air Conditioning system in Detroit no matter what time of year it is.

Exhibiting These Problems? You Could Have a Hidden Leak!

Household leaks account for thousands of wasted gallons each year, which translates into paying for water you’re not using. Could you have a hidden leak in your home? Read on to learn how to identify these pesky Flagstaff plumbing problems in your home.

High Water Bills
One of the first indications of a plumbing leak in your Flagstaff, AZ home is a higher-than-normal water bill. If your recent bills have made you do a double-take, it’s time to start looking for leaks. One of the easiest ways to confirm the presence of a leak is to use a water pressure gauge. Rather than simply reading off the water pressure and removing the gauge, note the water pressure and then leave the gauge in place for 15-30 minutes. If you return and the reading has dropped, you have a plumbing leak in your home. Even a single dripping faucet will register on the gauge.

Musty Odors
Check under your sinks, around your appliances, and in your basement, garage, and attic for odors. A musty odor is indicative of moisture, which could mean a hidden leak. If you smell an odor around any type of plumbing, feel all the pipes and connections to see if you can detect the source of the moisture. Often a connection simply needs tightening, but if the pipes or appliance itself is damaged or corroded, you’ll need a plumber to replace it.

Visible Damage
Leaks can occur in the water pipes that run between your home’s walls and ceilings. Water damage from a hidden leak may be visible over time. Streaks on your walls, floors, or ceilings highlight the presence of running or dripping water. Check behind appliances and along walls and ceilings where possible to identify streaks and moisture. If a leak occurs around the base of a toilet or appliance, you may notice the floor appears warped and feels spongy.

Silent Toilet Leaks
Toilet leaks are often audible as a running toilet. Some leaks, however, are silent and more difficult to identify. Take the lid off your toilet tank and inspect the plumbing within. If the flapper valve that connects the tank to the toilet bowl is misaligned or damaged, realign or replace it as needed. Even if the flapper appears to be working, place a few drops of food coloring in the tank and wait 15 minutes. If the food coloring has traveled into the bowl, the flapper is leaking and needs to be replaced.


Identifying hidden leaks in your home means preventing water waste, high bills, and damage to your property. Mr. Rooter of Yavapai, Coconino and Maricopa Counties is here 24/7 to help you handle Flagstaff plumbing leaks of any size. Visit our website to learn more about us, or check out Mr. Rooter’s blog for more handy home plumbing tips! 

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Local Mr. Rooter® Plumbing Wins Best Plumber in Houston

KHOU Great Day’s ‘Best in Houston’ businesses have been announced. With over 265 categories, the winner for Best in Houston Plumber was Mr. Rooter Plumbing of the Greater Houston Area.

Since 1991, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Conroe | The Woodlands | Spring | Houston | Katy | Sugar Land and Fort Bend has been delivering fast, reliable plumbing services throughout Montgomery, Harris and Ft. Bend Counties.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Handling Your Kitchen’s Plumbing Wisely


You rely on your kitchen’s plumbing every day. Making the best use of your disposal and dishwasher will ensure they stay in good repair to minimize plumbing issues. If you run into a problem you can’t fix yourself, however, call in a plumber to ensure the job is done right.

Disposal Tips
Smart use of your disposal will keep your unit in great repair and your kitchen sink’s plumbing clear.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Replacing Your Water Heater - Consider Going Tankless


Many homeowners in Wilmington, especially those that live in older houses, have experienced an inconvenient morning shower time crunch. In the rush to get clean and get out of the house before work or school, you may run out of hot water before every member of your family has had the chance to bathe. As your water heater ages, these incidents may become more and more frequent, until the time comes to replace this crucial appliance. When you are deciding on a new water heater, consider installing a tankless model. You can discover how tankless water heaters work and the advantages they offer by reading on.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

When Is It Time to Call the Plumber?

Installing Appliances
If you’re looking to get a new water heater, kitchen disposal, washing machine, or dishwasher, it’s often best to have a professional plumber install these appliances for you. Water heaters in particular require careful installation; if gas lines must be connected, this task should always be left to a professional. Many washing machines come with rubber hose attachments, but these are a common source of home leaks. Ask your plumber if he can install your washer with a metal pipe instead to prevent this from ever becoming a problem.

Frozen or Burst Pipes
When temperatures drop, especially in areas that don’t often experience cold weather, it can pose a threat to outdoor and minimally-insulated plumbing.

Friday, June 28, 2013

4 Common Plumbing Emergencies that Homeowners Face

Having running water indoors is one of the hallmark conveniences of modern life—but with dozens of feet of piping running through the average house, every homeowner will likely face a plumbing problem sooner or later. If you live in an older home that has older plumbing in Alexandria, VA and you can’t remember the last time you had your pipes inspected, you will probably experience a plumbing emergency sooner rather than later. Call a professional if you have any of the following issues:

Pinhole Leaks
Sudden, seemingly inexplicable spikes in your monthly water bill may be caused by pinhole leaks.

A Homeowner’s Complete Guide to HVAC Filters

Unlike those in warmer or cooler climates, homeowners in Baltimore, MD need both heating and air conditioning to stay comfortable year-round. During extreme summertime highs and bitter wintertime lows, your HVAC system works extra hard to bring the air in your house up to the temperature you desire. A key component of this central climate control system is the HVAC filter. The filter keeps dirt and debris from clogging your blower and air ducts. In order to make sure that your system functions at peak efficiency, you need to change your filter at least once every three weeks during heating and cooling season. Below you will find a guide to the most common types available.

Standard Fiberglass Filters
This is both the most common type of HVAC filter and also the least expensive.

4 Devices that Can Help Improve Your Home's Indoor Air Quality

Although emissions from older cars and smog from industrial plants does pollute outdoor air, there are many things inside your home that can pollute your indoor air as well. Since most homeowners tend to spend more time indoors than outdoors, especially in the heat of summer or the dead of winter, poor indoor air quality in Nashville is a much more immediate problem for your family than environmental pollution. It’s much easier these days than you think for most homeowners to combat poor indoor air quality by adding any of these HVAC accessories to help their household breathe easier:

Home Air Purifiers
A large number of allergens can be present inside your home.

How to Enjoy a Cooler Home without Higher Utility Bills This Summer

Maintaining your air conditioner in Detroit, MI doesn't take much time, money, or effort, but it can save you extensive stress and even lower your energy bills. Keep reading to find out a few simple steps you can take this summer to keep your home cool and comfortable every day.

Filter the Air
The filter on your air conditioner acts more to keep particles away from its parts than out of your breathable air.

What's Involved In Replacing My Air Conditioning?

If you’re suffering from inadequate cooling and high energy bills, it could be time to replace your air conditioner in Omaha. If you've been putting off the task because you’re worried about its complexity, keep reading to find out why replacing your air conditioner is an easy process that’s well worth the investment.

Signs Your A/C Needs Replacing
An old, failing air conditioner runs frequently without efficiently cooling your home. You may notice your unit turning off and on every few minutes, making noise while it cools, and providing insufficient airflow throughout your home. Your energy bills may also rise as your central air eats up electricity without providing results. If an HVAC inspection reveals your unit is old, will need costly repairs, or is simply just not fixable, it’s time to start looking for a new air conditioner. 

Choosing a New Model
There are a few factors that go into your choice of a new air conditioner. You must consider the size of your home and the amount of cooling that is needed. Your HVAC specialist can help you calculate the size and type of air conditioner you will need to cool your Omaha home. You should also consider the benefits of choosing an ENERGY STAR qualified air conditioner. Products that have earned the ENERGY STAR label have been proven to deliver the energy-efficient performance they promise. These products are not only better for the environment, they can save you money in the long term on your utility bills.

Installation
You may feel nervous about installation day, but there is no need to worry. Replacing your old air conditioning system is easy for a trained HVAC professional. In addition to replacing the old equipment with your newly-chosen unit, your HVAC technician will inspect your ductwork for problems or leaks. All the existing piping, refrigerant, and other aspects of your air conditioning will be checked to ensure they are in good repair before your new system is installed and ready to go.

Maintenance
Regular maintenance can keep your new air conditioner functioning smoothly for 12-15 years or more. Your HVAC installer will show you how to replace the filter, which should be done every three to four months. You should schedule a professional inspection at least once a year, regardless of your unit’s function, to ensure all parts are in good working order. You can clean the coils of your air conditioner yourself or have them cleaned by a professional to maintain consistent and efficient cooling.

Energy Savings
Today’s air conditioners are up to 60% more efficient than units manufactured just ten years ago. This means that your energy bills will decrease even as the comfort level inside your home increases. Your new air conditioner will provide better cooling and more even airflow throughout your home, saving you money and reducing your carbon footprint.


If you find yourself in need of a new air conditioner, Aksarben of Omaha can help. Check out our blog for more air conditioning maintenance tips and signs that it’s time to consider replacement. You can visit our website for more advice from the pros or to schedule a free HVAC replacement estimate. 

Problems with Your Toilet? Try These Simple Fixes!

Plumbing problems in the bathroom may cause you to worry, but many of the most common toilet issues are easy to spot and fix. Keep reading to learn more about these issues and how they are best solved on your own. If you encounter a problem you can’t identify or don’t feel comfortable addressing, call in your plumber in Prescott, AZ to make the right fix.

Running Toilet
Running toilets are common bathroom plumbing issues.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

How to Tell When It’s Time to Replace Your Water Heater

Indoor plumbing is a core convenience of modern living, but without a water heater your shower and sink taps wouldn’t be nearly as useful, especially when outdoor temperatures are still chilly. Few people enjoy taking cold showers unless thermometers soar to well above 90°F, which doesn’t happen often in Knoxville. While most water heaters last at least ten years, they usually don’t fail suddenly overnight, so many homeowners don’t replace theirs as soon as they should. The following signs may indicate that it’s time for you to get a new water heater:

Gradually Decreasing Water Pressure
You may lose water pressure in your home because of pinhole leaks in your plumbing, but low pressure can also be caused by leaks or sediment buildup in your water heater.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

HVAC Tips: To Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioner That is the Question?

If you’re familiar with rising energy bills and frequent calls to an HVAC repair technician, you may be wondering whether it’s time to replace your air conditioning in Detroit to save yourself the hassle of another repair. Sometimes all your air conditioning needs is a tune-up, and sometimes you need a brand-new system. Learn how to tell the difference with these handy pointers.

Cost-Effective Repair Options
There are many cases in which repairing your air conditioner—or other aspects of your home’s HVAC system—are more cost-effective than replacing your A/C.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Keep Your Garbage Disposal Running Smoothly and Clog-Free

If you have a garbage disposal in your home, you may not think about this convenience as part of your plumbing. However, clogs and leaks can form inside and around this kitchen appliance and cause trouble for your sink. Following some simple tips for proper use can minimize the chances you’ll need to call a plumber for kitchen clogs.

Disposal Dos and Don’ts

Caring for and maintaining your garbage disposal primarily consists of knowing what can and can’t go through it.

Friday, May 31, 2013

HVAC Tips for Maintaining an Energy-Efficient Home

Are you looking for ways to reduce your electric bill without sacrificing comfort? Ensuring that your home is energy efficient not only reduces the workload on your HVAC system in Omaha, it’ll save you money on your bills this summer.

Service Your Air Conditioner
Summer is when your air conditioner is working its hardest, and a poorly-functioning unit will only drain electricity—and money—without providing the results you need. Schedule your air conditioner for servicing this spring before temperatures rise.

Drain Cleaners: Are They All Created Equal?

When your pipes start draining sluggishly, do you reach for a bottle of drain cleaner? Not all clogs are the same, and not all drain cleaners are, either—there are a variety of drain cleaners to choose from, and some are better suited than others for certain clogs or plumbing. Keep reading to discover how to choose the best product when you need a drain service in Flagstaff, AZ.

Chemical Drain Cleaners
Most people are familiar with chemical drain cleaners, which are largely available in stores.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Why You Should Install a Tankless Water Heater!


Water heaters are seldom on any Omaha homeowner’s mind until they fail. But these appliances don’t last forever, so sooner or later you will have to replace yours. In Omaha, most older homes are equipped with traditional tank-style water heaters, which keep a large reservoir of water hot and ready to use. If your water heater has sprung a leak, or the heating element has failed, you may want to consider installing a tankless water heater in your Omaha home. These modern appliances offer a number of advantages over tank-style water heaters, including:

Increased Hot Water Availability
In many households, family members need to carefully plan their showers around each others’ schedules.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Avoid Home Drain Backups with These Plumbing Tips


Every day, the average Houston homeowner produces many gallons of wastewater. When you take a shower, flush your toilet, run your dishwasher, or do a load of laundry, the dirty water will flow into your plumbing and eventually exit your home via the main sewer line. If your pipes are clogged, however, the wastewater may pool in your sink or even in your tub faster than it can flow down the drain. In extreme cases, the drains may become so backed up that the wastewater never reaches the sewer line. Follow the tips below to keep your drains flowing and avoid messy clogs that will require a plumber in your Houston home.

Use Hair Traps in Your Bathroom Drains
Everyone sheds a few hairs in the course of normal bathing and grooming.

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Four Common Household Plumbing Problems

Because homes contain dozens or even hundreds of feet of pipe, plumbing problems are practically inevitable, especially as the pipes and fixtures age. Memphis is home to numerous historic buildings and homes, and many older structures are plagued by recurring plumbing troubles. Even if your home is a relatively recent construction, you can still encounter a number of plumbing difficulties. If you experience any of the following problems, call a plumber immediately:

Sewer Line Failure

The pipe that carries wastewater from your home to the municipal sewer system can fail for a number of reasons.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Easy Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Columbus HVAC System


Here in Columbus, the summers are sweltering and the winters are freezing, so most homeowners make frequent use of their heating and air conditioning in Columbus Ohio. To avoid paying large utility bills, make sure to keep your HVAC system clean and in a state of good repair. You can enjoy a comfortable home that’s neither too hot nor too cold by following these easy year-round tips to maximize your heating and cooling efficiency:

Weatherize Your Home
Heat flows from warmer areas to colder ones, which means that during the wintertime, the air you heat inside your home can escape through gaps around windows and under doors.

Monday, April 8, 2013

Problems That Require Professional Plumbing in Houston


Being a homeowner or a property owner requires you to know how to perform some basic maintenance tasks yourself. There’s no need to a call a handyman to hang a picture, or to install weather-stripping around your doors and windows. You may even be able to quickly unclog a toilet with a plunger or tighten your showerhead when it’s leaking. Some Houston plumbing problems require expert attention because an amateur do-it-yourself attempt will do more harm than good. Call an expert plumber in Houston if you have any of the following issues:

Persistent Slow Draining
The rate at which a sink or tub drains should be roughly equal to the maximum rate at which the fixture delivers water.

How to Keep Your Home’s Drains Clear and Clean


Omaha homeowners place emergency calls to plumbers for various reasons: burst pipes, sewer backups, overflowing toilets, dripping faucets—but one of the most common complaints is a clogged drain. Because all waste-water in your home eventually feeds to the same sewer line, a backup in a bathroom sink can be caused by a blockage in the tub drain or even the kitchen drain. While you cannot avoid all plumbing problems, especially if you have a mature home with older pipes, following the steps below can help keep you from needing drain cleaning in your Omaha home.

Use Your Garbage Disposal Sparingly
The name “garbage disposal” is somewhat misleading.

Monday, April 1, 2013

Should You Use a Garbage Disposal? Find Out with This Guide



It’s no secret why people use garbage disposals. They’re an incredibly easy way to clean up after dinner: you just flip a switch, toss the food in, and you’re done. Beneath the surface, however, is a problem that causes drains to clog and water treatment plants to expend more energy. Read on to learn more about some of the drawbacks of garbage disposal use, along with a few useful alternatives:

Environmental Impact
When you throw something in the trash, it’s easy to forget that it goes somewhere.

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Composting and Other Ways to Avoid Food Waste in Your Drainpipes



What’s the biggest cause of clogged drains? It isn’t foreign objects, toilet paper, or even hair; it’s food waste. Wilmington area homeowners dump thousands of pounds of food down the drain every year. The result is a thick mess that increases the burden on municipal water treatment facilities and causes drains to back up.

As any homeowner knows, however, keeping food out of your drains isn’t always easy. Read on to learn a few tricks to keep your drains flowing free from food blockages.

Tip #1: Clear Your Plate
Sure, you’ve heard it many times before—eat your peas, don’t waste food, etc.—yet many people still inadvertently overfill their plates and end up washing the remnants down the drain.

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

How to Reduce Your Home's Environmental Impact


Many Santa Cruz homeowners want to do their part to make their homes more eco-friendly, but aren’t sure where to start. Fortunately, you don’t need to invest in a major home renovation project to lower your environmental impact. Here are a few steps you can take right now to make your home more sustainable and lower your utility bills.

Seal Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system is a major contributor to your home’s energy usage.

Monday, March 11, 2013

Clogged Toilets: A Homeowner’s Guide to Preventing Plumbing Problems


Most Houston area homeowner’s think of clogged toilets as one of those everyday inconveniences; you just grab the plunger, you clean up the mess, and you move on. There’s no reason you need to suffer through this messy (and sometimes embarrassing) problem any longer. Here are few tips that could have you saying goodbye to the plunger and reduce the amount of plumbing problems you encounter in your Houston area home.

Put a Trash Bin Near Your Toilet
Too often, people treat toilets like trash cans, tossing in tissues, cotton swabs, and other assorted items with impunity. A toilet isn’t at all like a trash can, however.

The 3 Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater


Without a working water heater, you would not be able to enjoy a hot shower or wash your dishes. Like all the appliances in your Baltimore home, however, your water heater will not last forever. If your unit is less than ten years old, repairs may still be cost effective; however, if your water heater is more than a decade old it’s time to consider replacing it. Many older Baltimore-area homes still use storage tank water heaters, but when it’s time to replace yours, consider the advantages of a tankless model. Read on to find out more about the advantages of a tankless water heater.

How Tankless Water Heaters Work
Standard tank-style water heaters hold a large reservoir of water at a high temperature, and turning on a hot water tap in your home draws water from the tank.

How a Minor Nashville Plumbing Leak Can Become a Major Problem


Most Nashville homeowners have experienced a slow pipe leak at some point in their lives. The typical solution is to caulk the spot or call the local 24 hour plumber in Nashville. Yet some homeowners ignore and forget about their slow leaks, thinking that the problem couldn't possibly turn into anything significant. This is a dangerous mentality to have, as a slow drip could easily lead to one of these home hazards:

Mold Growth
Puddles of water left by drips are perfect breeding grounds for mold, especially in humid areas like Nashville.

Air Cleaning Tips that Help Your Indoor Air Quality all Winter Long


As winter drags on in Omaha, this time of year can be tough on your indoor air quality. The house has been closed off to the elements for months, but it’s not yet warm enough outside to open up the windows. Dust, mold, and other allergens build up as a result, making it harder to breathe and worsening the symptoms of respiratory ailments.

Luckily, you don’t need to wait for spring to arrive to do something about your indoor air quality in Omaha. Follow these tips to purify your air through the last weeks of winter.

Change the Air Filter on Your Furnace Regularly
Air filters on furnaces trap dust and other contaminants from the air.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Federal Tax Credits for Energy Efficient HVAC Systems in Columbus OH


If you live in a place like Columbus, OH that experiences all four seasons, heating and cooling your Columbus home may account for a significant portion of your annual energy bills. Although most homeowners would be happy to see a monthly decrease in their utility spending, many hesitate to replace their HVAC system because they think that the appliances or the installation will be too expensive. But since Congress recently reinstated the 25C federal tax credit, more people can now afford to install energy-efficient equipment.

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Choosing the Best Water Heater for Your Home




A conventional water heater typically lasts just over a decade. If your unit is reaching the end of its service life, it’s a good time to start looking for a replacement. Since a water heater accounts for more than 15 percent of a home’s energy use, weighing the efficiency as well as the price of a replacement model is important. Here’s a quick guide to help you get started.

Conventional Storage Water Heaters
Conventional storage water heaters are the most common type of water heater available. They offer a reservoir of hot water perfect for heavy home use. One of the main advantages of conventional water heaters is their flexibility; you can power them from a range of sources, including electricity, natural gas, fuel oil, and propane. On the other hand, the costs to heat and store water while not in use are a significant disadvantage. If you don’t use much hot water in your home, it may be best to look for alternative models.

Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters provide hot water whenever it is needed, avoiding the standby costs of conventional units. They’re a good choice for homes with low hot water usage—as even the most demand-intensive models can have trouble supplying water to multiple sources at a time. Tankless water heaters come in multiple varieties. Large gas-fired and electric-powered models can meet the hot water demands of an entire home. For maximum efficiency, however, you can install individual water heaters at each faucet and showerhead.

Heat Pump Water Heaters
Heat pump water heaters move heat rather than generating directly into water. These are a good option for mild climates like that of the Portland area as they use warmth from the surrounding air to heat up water. Installing in a warm space such as a furnace room will produce the best results. In the winter, heat pump water heaters can be combined with conventional heating methods to create a year-round system.

Alternative Water Heaters
In addition to the “big three” water heater varieties, there are a host of alternative water heating methods available to the homeowner willing to think outside the box. If you use geothermal heat pumps to heat and cool your home, you can integrate it with a water heating system by installing a desuperheater. Solar water heaters use the sun’s heat to produce hot water, but they’re a poor choice in the cloudy Pacific Northwest. Finally, tankless coil heaters produce hot water directly from a furnace or boiler. They’re a highly efficient option for the winter months, but won’t do you much good during the height of summer.

Learn more about the anatomy of a conventional storage tank water heater at our water heater page. For more insight on water heater maintenance and replacement, visit our Ask the Expert page.