Hudson Valley Hot Water Heater Repair, Installation and Service
Water
heating is the second biggest energy consumer in the average home, second
only to space heating. Any measures that can be taken to improve the efficiency
of your hot water heater, or force you to use less hot water are definitely
worth your time and money. In general, water heating energy savers are inexpensive
and unlike many space heating conservation measures, those used in relation
to plumbing are effective all year round. Today’s best hot water heaters
are far more energy efficient that those even a few short years ago. But
there are other measures you can take to conserve.
Tankless hot water heaters provide
the latest technology and energy savings. Tankless water heaters heat water
by activating a set of coils that become hot when the unit is turned on.
Tankless water heaters conserve energy by only heating the amount of water
needed at a given moment and by heating the water only at the time it is
needed.
We specialize in the repair and service of all makes and models of hot
water heaters, including gas and electric water heaters.
If it’s time for a hot water heater replacement or to
schedule a water heater repair appointment, call us at 866-491-2768. We
service Orange, Ulster, Dutchess, Greene, Columbia, Putnam and Rockland
Counties.
Lower the Water Heater Thermostat
Your hot water heater is one of the biggest energy wasters in your house
or business. That is why one of the often-repeated ways to save on energy
costs has to deal directly with your water heater or tankless
water heater. Since the water from your water heater is used primarily
for keeping yourself and your belongings clean, there is no need for you
to use water that is heated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit or above. However,
most elements on electric water heaters are pre-set to at least 150 degrees.
Not only is this dangerous, but it is also a waste of energy and money.
We recommend you reset your electric water heater to 120 degrees.
To do this, first turn off the power to the water heater (most power sources
are located at a master fuse box). Next, remove the cover plate that conceals
the lower thermostat. This will reveal a covering of insulation. Behind
the insulation is the thermostat.
Locate a seam in the insulation and pull it back. This will reveal a protective
covering over the thermostat. Remove the protective covering and adjust
the temperature on the thermostat to120 degrees by turning the screw with
a screwdriver. Repeat the procedure for the upper element on the water heater.
Replace the cover plates and turn the electricity back on.
The setting of a gas fired boiler or gas
furnace is a little more complex. This kind of water heater only has
one element and the temperature control is in plain sight on the outside
of the unit. However, the temperature dial is not calibrated for degree
settings. Usually it is labeled with something like Low, Normal, Extra Hot.
In order to get the proper setting, use a cooking thermometer and determine
the present temperature of the water. From here, it is simply a game if
hit and miss until you find either the 120 or 140 degrees mark. This could
take a lot of patience and even a couple of days to get right, but will
be worth your trouble. The Department of Energy says that lowering the setting
just 10 degrees will save 6% of the energy used in heating your hot water,
and if the setting is reduced to 120 or 140 degrees, you could save 18%
more!
Should you happen to run into problem in resetting your system,
or would prefer to have a professional technician do it for you, call us
at 866-491-2768 to set up an appointment.
Drain Your Hot Water Heater
Another way to save with your water heater is by draining it on a regular
basis. Unless you have soft water, it is important to drain a couple of
gallons of water from the bottom of your water heater at least two times
a year. This is because hard water deposits can collect on the bottom of
your water-heating unit, surround the heating element and reduce efficiency.
This amounts to a layer of insulation around the element, which forces it
to work harder to heat the water. However, by simply draining a couple of
gallons, you will wash out any deposits and allow your water heater to operate
more efficiently.
Water Heater Timers
Have you ever considered the idea that you are paying to keep the water
in the tank at a high temperature all night long? You will be able to save
a great deal by investing in a timer for your water heater. Since most of
today’s water heaters are of the fast recovery type, and since the
water in the tank will retain most of its heat through the night anyway,
set the timer to turn the electric water heater off, somewhere around the
time you normally go to bed. Then set it to come on again between a half
hour and an hour before you get up. This should give the water heater enough
time to bring the water temperature back the few degrees it will need to
reach its normal temperature.
Installation of the timer is straightforward, and it will pay for itself
in a relatively short period of time.
Insulate Your Hot Water Heater For Savings!
An additional way to save with the water heater is by insulating the entire
heater. There are two ways to accomplish this energy saving performance.
You can purchase the fiberglass blanket insulation and some duct tape and
insulate the unit on your own, or you can buy a retrofit kit. Both will
work about the same, although, in the end, the kit will probably look more
pleasing to the eye.
If you have an electric unit, insulating your water heater will pay for
itself in about one year. If it is a gas unit, it will take two or three
years. It is a one-time investment and studies have shown that the insulation
will outlive the water heater and can be used again if you need to replace
your present unit later on.
If your water heater is gas fired, the Department of Energy recommends
that you use the kit. This is only a recommendation and you can insulate
your unit without the kit if you don’t insulate the top or bottom
of the heater. In insulating a gas fired water heater, it is crucial to
keep the air intake ports at the bottom of the unit clear of insulation,
and keep the exhaust flue at the top clear as well. The extra insulation
added to a gas fired or electrical water heater will serve to help keep
water warm for longer periods of time.
We Provide Hot Water Heater Installation, Replacement and Service
to:
Speak to one of our customer service representatives by calling
866-491-2768 today. We also service and install tankless
water heaters.
