Category Archives: Water Heaters

Choosing Plastic Plumbing Pipes For Your Commercial Building In Washington DC

September 18, 2019Commercial Plumbing, Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issues, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

Commercial Plumbing In Washington DC

Washington DC has many commercial buildings that require professional commercial plumbing. New commercial buildings require new plumbing installations like water supply pipes, water heaters, drainage and sewer systems, and various plumbing fixtures and appliances like faucets, sinks, toilets, etc. The older commercial buildings in Washington DC require regular and proper plumbing repairs and maintenance. All these commercial plumbing needs are met by the few commercial plumbers in the capital.

Plumber In DC is one of the few commercial plumbing companies in Washington DC. There are many plumbing companies in the city but very few provide commercial plumbing services. You need substantial resources in terms of manpower and plumbing tools and equipment to become a successful DC commercial plumber. Commercial plumbing companies provide a wide range of plumbing services in Washington DC including:

· Commercial sewer services

· Commercial drain cleaning services

· Commercial water heater services

· Commercial sump pump services

· Commercial plumbing repair services

· Commercial pipe thawing services

· Commercial gas plumbing services

· Commercial plumbing inspection and maintenance services

Some of the most established commercial plumbers also provide specialty plumbing services in Washington DC, such as remodeling and renovation services and commercial emergency plumbing services. DC Commercial plumbers serve a wide range of clients including local business owners, private and public institutions, government organizations, corporate bodies, industrial sites, production facilities, and many other commercial clients in the city. Commercial plumbing clients in Washington DC require plumbing pipes from time to time. These could be new pipes for a new commercial building or new pipes to replace old damaged plumbing pipes in an old commercial building. Plumbing pipes are usually made from either metal or plastic. Today we are going to look at some of the plastic plumbing pipes that are available in Washington DC and how to choose the best and avoid the worst.

Best Plastic Plumbing Pipes

If you want to install some new pipes in a commercial building, you will have to choose between metal and plastic. Three metals have been used to make plumbing pipes for many years in the city and these are:

· Lead

· Steel

· Copper

Lead pipes are now banned because of the risk of lead poisoning. Steel pipes are prone to rust and corrosion after a few decades of usage. Copper pipes seem like the best bet but they are quite expensive. That is where plastic plumbing pipes come in and save the day. Let us look at the best plastic plumbing pipes in the Washington DC area.

PEX Plastic

Cross-linked polyethylene tubing commonly known a PEX plastic is the best pipe for plumbing in DC. Here are some of the advantages of using PEX plastic pipes for plumbing:

· Up to 30% cheaper than copper

· Flexible hence easier to install

· No problem of pinhole leaks like copper

· It’s not corroded by acidic water

· Reduces the risk of frozen pipes

· Very durable

PVC Pipes

Some polyvinyl chloride or PVC pipes are ideal for commercial plumbing. Standard PVC has one major weakness. It cannot carry hot water. But chlorinated polyvinyl chloride or CPVC can carry hot water but it’s not durable. Instead of using any type of PVC for plumbing, go for PEX.

Worst Plastic Pipes

We cannot conclude this article without warning you about the worst type of plastic for plumbing. Kitec plastic was very popular from 1995-2007. This material has since been banned because it corrodes easily and leaks even during normal usage. It’s facing a class-action lawsuit.

DIY Plumbing Maintenance Calendar

March 18, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

The home plumbing system requires constant care and regular maintenance to enhance its functionality and ensure its longevity. There are very many sensitive parts or components in the home plumbing system. These are what we refer to as critical plumbing areas. These critical plumbing areas require special care and maintenance by the homeowner and also by a professional plumber. But although we keep insisting that you need to afford constant care and regular maintenance to your home plumbing system, we do not mean that you have to spend every single day caring for and maintaining your home plumbing system,. All you need to do is set aside some time during the week so that you can clean and maintain various parts of the home plumbing system.

For instance, you have to make sure that the bathroom and the kitchen are clean every day. This involves cleaning various fixtures in the toilet and the bathroom, such as the kitchen sinks, the shower areas, the toilet, and ensuring that there are no plumbing problems in the house. These are basic care and maintenance activities that should be done every day. But we have other scheduled maintenance routines that should be performed after a given period of time. We have included all these important routines in the following plumbing maintenance calendar.

Monthly Maintenance Tasks

There are several plumbing maintenance activities that you should do every month to ensure that your home plumbing system is always in tiptop condition. You can handle most of these maintenance activities on your own without having to hire a professional plumber. Let us now look at your monthly plumbing maintenance calendar. You should clean your garbage disposal unit every month. We have already discussed the DIY procedure for cleaning your garbage disposal in our previous blog posts. You should also run water and flush toilets in unused areas in the house every month. You should pour some water in various drains and drain traps in the house every month to prevent bad odors in the house. Another important monthly maintenance activity is gutter inspection and cleaning. You should also clean the dishwasher drain bin every month. HVAC filters should be inspected and changed on a monthly basis.

Yearly Maintenance Tasks

Your annual plumbing maintenance calendar includes very many activities. You can handle some of these maintenance activities on your own and you can also hire a professional plumber to assist you with the rest. Make a point of flushing your hot water heater at least once every year. Flushing your water heater will prolong its life and help you avoid DC water heater repair services. You should also test your sump pump at least once every year. Pour a bucket of water on the device to see whether it starts automatically. Inspect the toilet seals annually. You should also remove the showerheads and clean them to remove accumulated sediments. In order to avoid frozen pipes, winterize your home plumbing system every year before the cold winter season starts. Annual drainage and sewer line inspections are highly recommendable.

Random Maintenance Tasks

Our plumbing maintenance calendar also includes random maintenance activities. For instance, you should make a point of inspecting all your water supply pipes at random to ensure that there are no leaks and that everything is in excellent condition. You should also conduct random inspections of all the critical plumbing parts, such as the fixtures, appliances, control systems etc, to ensure that everything is fine.

5 Plumbing Emergencies That Require Emergency Plumbing Services

March 4, 2019DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

You can classify all plumbing problems as either minor or major plumbing issues. When we talk of minor plumbing problems, we are referring to those common plumbing problems that you can try to fix on your own. Examples of minor plumbing issues include slow leaking faucets and showerheads and the commonly occurring toilet or sink drain clogs. You can fix slow leaks with plumber’s tape or by tightening the leaking fixture. And you can try to unclog your toilet or kitchen and shower drains using a plunger. But we also have major or serious plumbing issues that require the services of a professional plumber. These serious plumbing problems are usually referred to as plumbing emergencies and they require DC emergency plumbing services. But you should also note that not all serious plumbing problems are plumbing emergencies.

Plumbing emergencies are those plumbing problems that necessitate instant plumbing services. In other words, you cannot wait for some hours before fixing them. Plumbing emergencies necessitate a call to your local plumber at any time of the day or night. Emergency plumbing services are provided 24/7, which includes weekends and public holidays. Here are several types of plumbing emergencies that require the services of an emergency plumber.

Water Heater Problems

All water heater problems should be treated like plumbing emergencies. Your water heater can develop all kinds of serious problems and you cannot manage to fix them on your own. Some examples of serious water heater problems that require the services of an emergency plumber are leaking, corrosion, temperature control issues, and total malfunction. You cannot survive without hot water in the house and you do not have the skills to repair a hot water heater. This means that you need to call an emergency plumber to fix your water heater when it’s faulty.

Gas Leaks

All gas leaks are plumbing emergencies. You should never attempt to fix a gas leak because you could be exposing yourself to very serious danger. The moment you detect or suspect a gas leak in your house, leave the house as soon as possible. You can try to shut off the gas at the main shutoff valve. But you should not stay in the house or even near the house. Call a professional gas plumber immediately to prevent fires and explosions in your house.

Water Leaks

Not all water leaks are plumbing emergencies. A slow leaking faucet or showerhead does not require the services of an emergency plumber. In fact you can try to fix such minor leaks on your own. But if you have a heavy leaking pipe in the house, call an emergency plumber immediately. A heavy leaking pipe can burst and flood the house if not fixed on time.

Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes are one of the most serious plumbing emergencies at home. Frozen pipes occur due to cold weather. A frozen pipe can burst at any time. It will also prevent water supply in the house. Request emergency pipe thawing services as soon as possible, if the situation arises.

Major Flooding

If your house starts to flood, call an emergency plumber immediately. Flooding can be caused by heavy rainstorms. It can also be caused by leaking pipes, fixtures and appliances. Whichever the cause, call an emergency plumber ASAP.

When It’s Time To Call A Professional Water Heater Plumber

February 22, 2019Commercial Plumbing, DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

People try to avoid calling a professional plumber as much as possible. The main reason for this is money. Its understandable when we want to skimp on some of these professional services like plumbing. You do not have to call a professional plumber any time there is a clog in your toilet or kitchen sink. But there are times when you really don’t have a choice. Some plumbing emergencies are too serious to ignore or to handle on your own. One such serious plumbing emergency is any type of water heater problem. Whether it’s a minor water heater problem or a major issue, you are always advised to call a professional water heater plumber. If you have a commercial gas-powered water heater, then you need to request DC commercial gas line services in case of a malfunction. There are many other water heater problems that necessitate a call to your local water heater plumber. Here are a few water heater problems that require the services of a professional plumber.

Corrosion Problem

Your hot water heater can become corroded over time. The problem of corrosion usually affects water heaters with a hot water storage tank. These include conventional storage water heaters and hybrid heat pump water heaters. The storage tank in your water heater can become corroded over time. All storage tank water heaters usually come with an anode rod in their hot water storage tanks. The anode rod attracts all corrosive elements thereby maintaining the tank in excellent condition. But in the process of attracting these corrosive elements, the anode rod gets corroded instead of the tank. That is why you should replace the anode rod in your hot water heater every 2-3 years. If you do not replace the anode rod on time, you will risk having a corroded tank in your water heater. The corroded tank will supply rusty hot water in your kitchen and bathroom. If you have a problem of corrosion in your water heater, call a professional plumber immediately.

Leaking

Tankless water heaters and storage tank water heaters can develop leaks in many parts. The most commonly affected part is the hot water storage tank. The storage tank usually starts leaking due to corrosion. But even the connecting pipes that supply cold water to the water heater or remove the hot water from the water heater can start leaking. Such a leak is very serious because it can cause massive water loss and even flooding in the house. Call a professional water heater plumber immediately to have the leak fixed.

Total Malfunction

Your hot water heater can fail to work. It can stop working without warning. This means that you will not have hot water in your house. This can be caused by a problem in the heating element. In case of a total water heater malfunction, call a professional plumber as soon as possible for professional diagnosis and repair.

Temperature Control Issues

If the temperature control system in your water heater develops a problem, call a professional plumber immediately. The hot water could be coming out too cold or too hot. Whichever the case, request a professional fix.

Clogged Drain Valve

The drain valve of your hot water heater can become clogged by sediments. You can try flushing the tank on your own or you can call a professional water heater plumber for assistance.

How To Prevent Clogging And Corrosion In Your Water Heater

February 6, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

Water heaters are critical but quite delicate plumbing devices. The hot water heater caters for all our hot water needs. It ensures that we have enough hot water to drink, cook, clean, and bathe. In return, this device requires special care and maintenance. This is not to say that the water heater requires constant care and maintenance. It means that you have to set aside some time every year to take care of this important plumbing device. Otherwise your water heater will develop all kinds of problems and you will incur very high expenses in plumbing repairs. Most water heater problems require the services of a professional DC water heater plumber. If your water heater is leaking, you can try to inspect it to find the source of the leak. But you will still have to hire a qualified plumber to fix the problem. There are many other very serious water heater problems that require the services of a professional plumber. The good news is that you can prevent some of these serious water heater problems. Today you are going to learn how to prevent two serious water heater issues: clogging and corrosion.

Regular And Proper Flushing

Let us start by looking at the problem of clogging in your water heater. The water that flows into your water heater might contain some sediments and impurities. These sediments are usually in very minute quantities and hence you might not notice them when consuming the water. But these sediments collect inside your water heater over time. The problem of sediment buildup usually affects storage tank water heaters. The sediments in the water usually settle at the bottom of the hot water tank. If the hot water tank is not flushed or cleaned for a very long time, these sediments build up and clog the water heater, and possibly require emergency plumbing service. They will clog the drainage valve and affect the performance of your hot water heater. They can also cause the hot water to start tasting rusty. To prevent clogging in your water heater, flush the tank thoroughly every year. Flushing a water heater is quite easy and you do not need to call a plumber for this. Just switch the device off and attach a hose to the drainage valve. Run the hose to a sink or floor drain and then turn the drainage valve on to allow all the hot water to drain. Then let the cold water to continue running to remove all the sediments.

Use A Water Softener

The other serious problem in water heaters is corrosion. The hot water tank is made of steel, which means that it’s susceptible to corrosion. The tank is corroded by mineral deposits like calcium, which are found in hard water. You can solve this problem by adding a water softener to your water supply system. This will get rid of all those minerals in the water and keep your water heater safe.

Replace The Anode Rod Regularly

A water softener will try to eliminate all the minerals in the hard water but some might still slip through. That is why storage tank water heaters come with an anode rod. The anode rod is placed inside the hot water tank to attract all corrosive elements that can corrode the tank. Inspect the anode rod regularly and replace it every 2-3 years to prevent water heater corrosion.

Care And Maintenance Of Gas-Powered Plumbing Appliances

January 23, 2019DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

The DC gas plumbing industry handles many types of projects. Professional gas plumbers provide many different types of services. It’s important to note that only the biggest plumbing companies in DC provide both general plumbing services and gas plumbing services. And the even bigger plumbing companies are able to provide both types of services to residential plumbing clients and also to commercial plumbing clients. With that knowledge in mind, you can now appreciate the many gas plumbing services available in DC, including new gas line installations in new buildings, retrofitting old buildings with new gas lines, gas line repair and replacement, gas leak detection and repair, gas appliance installation, connection, repair, and maintenance, and many more. Gas is one of the most popular fuels in Washington DC. Many people like using gas-powered appliances because gas is significantly cheaper than electricity. Some of the most popular gas-powered appliances include water heaters, cookers, washing machines, refrigerators, stoves, and HVAC systems. It’s very important that you take good care of these gas-powered appliances to ensure their functionality and enhance their longevity. Here are a few care and maintenance tips for gas-powered appliances.

Regular Checks For Gas Leaks

Gas leaks are some of the most common gas plumbing problems in DC. If you ever suspect or detect a gas leak in your house, do not hesitate to call a professional gas plumber in DC. Gas leaks can occur in the gas supply or connecting pipes. They can also occur in the gas appliances. Such leaks usually occur at the connecting valve where the gas supply pipe attaches to the gas appliance. One of the most important care and maintenance tip for gas-powered appliances is to conduct regular checks for gas leaks. Check those connecting valves and ensure that they are tightly sealed to avoid gas leaks. Remember that gas leaks are very dangerous. Appliance gas leaks can cause fires and even deadly explosions in the house. If you ever detect the rotten eggs smell of gas in your house, try to turn off the gas at the main shutoff valve. Then leave the house immediately and call a professional gas plumber from a safe distance.

Implement Timely Repairs

Like all other plumbing appliances, gas-powered appliances are bound to break down from time to time. This can be due to old age or physical damage. It can also be due to negligence or quality issues. It doesn’t really matter the cause of the malfunction, just make sure that the faulty appliance is fixed as soon as possible. This will ensure gas safety in your house. It will also enhance the functionality and durability of the gas-powered appliance.

Proper Handling And Connection

Gas-powered appliances should be handled with a lot of care. They should also be connected properly to the gas supply lines. If you do not know how to connect or operate a gas-powered appliance, call a qualified gas plumber to help you with the connections and also to teach you how to operate the appliance. Gas-powered appliances should not be moved around carelessly. They should be installed on cool dry surfaces away from children’s reach.

4 Water Heater Problems That Require The Services Of A Professional Plumber

December 18, 2018DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

Some plumbing problems do not necessitate a call to your local plumber. These are what we call minor plumbing problems that can be fixed with simple DIY repairs. One example of minor plumbing problems is a toilet or sink drain clog. You can easily fix this problem using a plunger or by pouring hot water in the toilet or sink drain. For such minor plumbing problems, you should only call a professional plumber if the problem persists. But there are other major or serious plumbing problems that require the services of a professional plumber. For instance, a heavy gas leak in your house necessities a call to a professional DC gas plumber. Similarly, most water heater problems require the services of a professional water heater plumber. Depending on the type, model, and brand of your hot water heater, you can experience various types of problems or faults when using the appliance. You can try to fix some of the minor water heater problems, like clearing sediments from the tank or changing a corroded anode rod on your own, if you have the know-how and the necessary tools and equipment. But if you are faced with any of the following water heater problems, call your local water heater plumber as soon as possible.

Leaking Tank

If you own a storage tank water heater, then you can expect this problem after 10-15 years. Storage tank water heaters come with a tank or reservoir for holding the heated water. The tank can wear out over time maybe due to corrosion or just because of old age. Whichever the cause of the problem, the tank can start leaking. This is one of the most serious water heater problems. And what makes this problem so serious is that it can rarely be fixed. Any professional water heater plumber will most likely recommend a replacement for this kind of problem. And you should not hesitate to follow this recommendation because you risk heavy water and energy loss when using the leaking water heater. Even a tankless water heater can start leaking in the pipes that supply it with cold water or the pipes that carry the hot water away from the water heater. These leaking pipes can be repaired or replaced by a professional plumber for a reasonable fee.

Corroded Tank

If the color of the hot water produced by your storage tank water heater changes to a brownish hue, you need to start worrying about corrosion. Storage tank water heaters are equipped with an anode rod, which is supposed to attract all corrosive elements, leaving the tank safe and un-corroded. But the anode rod wears out over time and if you do not change it every few years, then it will become ineffective and the tank will start corroding. If this happens, call a professional plumber for a permanent solution.

Clogged Drain Valve

You should make a point of inspecting your water heater regularly to check for sediments and mineral buildup. If the hot water tank accumulates sediments, then the drain valve can get clogged and this can cause a lot of problems. You can avoid this problem by cleaning the whole unit from time to time to remove these sediments. But if the problem is serious, call a professional water heater plumber.

Temperature Control/Setting Problems

The thermostat in your water heater can start malfunctioning. This can cause temperature control or setting problems. This problem requires the skills of a professional water heater plumber. Make the call as soon as possible.

Water Saving Tips For The Cold Season

October 23, 2018DC Plumber, DIY Plumbing, Energy Efficiency, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Save Money, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

The warm spring and summer seasons are very much behind us and we are now going to experience cold weather for many months to come. The cold season is not all that bad. It allows families to come together and to spend more time indoors. This means that there is lots of cooking and cleaning because everyone is always at home. This translates into huge water and energy consumption at home. But as we move from fall to winter, there are several water and energy saving tactics that you can implement to trim your water and energy bill. When it comes to energy conservation at home, you have to institute strict rules about power usage. All electrical or gas appliances that are not in use should be switched off. There should be no lights in any unoccupied room. You should by now have upgraded to Energy Star certified plumbing appliances to ensure maximum energy savings. And all those incandescent bulbs should be replaced with LED bulbs. After putting all these energy saving measures in action, you can now turn to the water. You can use the following water saving tips to lower your water bill during this cold season.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends WaterSense certified plumbing fixtures. EPA awards WaterSense certification to low-flow plumbing fixtures, such as bathroom faucets, showerheads, toilets, urinals, pre-rinse spray valves, irrigation controllers, and spray sprinkler bodies. These low-flow fixtures consume at least 20% less water than the standard models. Installing these water-efficient plumbing fixtures will trim your water bill by a huge margin.

Install An Instantaneous Water Heater

You can save a lot of water and energy if you install a tankless water heater or an instant water heating system. These instantaneous water heaters heat water on demand. They do not have a reservoir tank for storing the heated water, which means that they do not suffer standby heat loss. Instantaneous water heaters save water because you do not have to wait for the water to heat and hence leave the shower running for some time. Tankless water heaters require less maintenance, which means that your DC water heater repair bill will also be reduced.

Avoid Frozen Pipes

The cold season poses a serious problem to your water supply pipes. The water in these pipes can get frozen during the extremely cold weather. This problem can also affect your drainage and sewer lines. But the highest risk is on the water supply pipes. You should leave your thermostat on during the cold season to avoid frozen pipes. You should also insulate the outdoor pipes to keep them from freezing. Frozen pipes get clogged and they can easily burst leading to massive water loss in your home.

Timely Repairs

All plumbing problems should be fixed immediately. Any leak in your pipes or fixtures should be fixed immediately to avoid unnecessary water loss. You can try various DIY remedies before calling a professional plumber to fix a leak.

Critical Plumbing Areas That Should Be Thoroughly Inspected Before Buying A House

October 22, 2018DC Plumber, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Sewer Issues, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

Buying a house is a huge investment. You will have to invest a huge chunk of your savings in the new house. Most people buy houses through mortgagees, which means that they spend years paying for the house before they can claim full ownership. That is why you should be extra careful when buying a house to ensure that you get real value for your money. The good news is that the process is lengthy and it takes time. You can’t just wake up one morning and decide that you will own a house before the end of the day. Not unless you are extra loaded with cash. People take time to search for good houses and then to have them inspected before closing the deal. But some people are not very much concerned with the inspection process. They are just too excited about the prospect of owning a new home that they do not want to waste time with the inspection. This is a very big mistake. The inspection process is one of the most important things that you should do before buying a house. One of the areas that you should pay particular attention to during the inspection is the plumbing system. If you suspect problems, you should call your local plumber to take a look and evaluate the area or plumbing system you think isn’t working right. The following critical plumbing areas should be thoroughly inspected before buying a house.

The Bathroom

The bathroom is the key plumbing area in the house. This is where most plumbing fixtures and appliances are installed or connected to. The bathroom is one of the critical areas that should be thoroughly inspected before buying any house. All the bathroom fixtures should be inspected and tested to ensure that they are working well. The taps and showers should be turned on and off to check whether they are operating properly. The water pressure should also be checked to ensure that it’s okay. You should flush the toilets several times to ensure that they are all working properly. All the sinks and toilet bowls should be inspected to ensure that they firmly installed. All the bathroom walls and floors should be inspected thoroughly to ensure that there are no hidden leaks. The toilet should be checked for cracks or any other defects.

The Water Heater

The hot water heater is one of the most critical plumbing installations in any house. The hot water tank should be inspected and tested to ensure that it’s heating water properly and to the required temperatures. If the house has a storage tank water heater, then you should check the positioning or placement of the tank. The tank should be placed in an easily accessible position where you can inspect it for leaks easily. The placement should also conform to local building codes and standards. You should also inspect the anode rod to see whether it needs replacement.

The Sewer System

The drainage and sewer system requires thorough inspection when buying a house. Hire any professional plumber who handles DC sewer repair, inspection and maintenance to conduct a thorough inspection of the main sewer line, the underground drainage and sewer lines, and the private septic tank if there is one. You should in fact request a sewer camera inspection to have all the underground drainage and sewer lines inspected by remote controlled underground video cameras.

Tips For Lowering Your Hot Water Bill During The Cold Season

September 23, 2018DC Plumber, Energy Efficiency, Helpful Hints, How To, Plumbing Advice, Save Money, Uncategorized, Water Heatersmatt

The hot water heater becomes super essential during the cold season. This is because we really need that hot water during these chilly months. And now that the warm spring and summer months are behind us, it’s time to think about that water heater. It’s quite normal to use hot water for bathing and cleaning during the warm seasons. But you can always opt for a cold shower on a hot summer day. The fall and winter seasons are quite chilly and hence you have no choice but to power up that water heater so that you can enjoy a hot bath or shower. This means that the hot water bill increases significantly during the cold fall and winter months. But there are several measures that you can implement to lower your hot water bill during the cold seasons. Use the following tips to reduce your hot water bill this fall and during the upcoming winter season.

Insulate The Tank

The most effective way of lowering your hot water bill is by insulating the tank in your hot water heater. Bearing in mind the fact that the hot water heater is one of the biggest consumers of energy at home, you should do everything you can to reduce its energy intake. If you won a conventional storage water heater, then you know that it has a reservoir or tank for holding the heated water. The bad news is that this tank is susceptible to standby heat loss. In other words, the heated water loses some of its heat when sitting in the tank. In order to minimize this energy loss, you should insulate your tank thoroughly. You can insulate the tank in your water heater without consulting a professional plumber. You just need to follow the instructions in the insulation materiel and everything will be fine.

Shorter Showers

You should consider reducing the number of showers that you take to reduce your water and energy bills. You should also start taking shorter showers top reduce the amount of water used and the energy consumed by your water heater. And while we are still talking about saving water, you should avoid those long baths. Go for shorter showers instead.

Set A Low Temperature

You can save the amount of energy consumed by your hot water heater during the warm and cold seasons by adjusting the temperature to a lower setting. The Department of Energy recommends that you set your water heater at 120 degrees. This temperature is adequate to heat the water sufficiently. It also prevents unnecessary energy consumption and prevents scalding when you shower.

Upgrade To A High Efficiency Model

If you own an old standard tank water heater, then you should consider upgrading to a new high efficiency model. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) gives Energy Star certification to high efficiency products like water heaters. These high efficiency models consume a fraction of the energy consumed by older highly inefficient models. You can consult a professional DC water heater plumber regarding an upgrade or replacement of your old water heater. He will offer you various options to choose from in order to achieve maximum energy savings.