tulsa tankless - water heater services

tulsa tankless - water heaters

The tankless water heater represents the most major advance in residential water heating since the first storage-tank model was invented in 1899. A tankless model generates hot water entirely on-demand. This eliminates many of the limitations of the traditional storage tank heater and improves energy-efficiency. As the typical American household spends about $500 annually on water heating, any cost savings can make a difference in the family budget. Here are some ways a tankless water heater improves both convenience and economy in your home.

• No standby heat loss. A typical conventional water heater utilizes a tank to store about 50 gallons of hot water. As time passes, water in the tank gradually cools, and the burner must activate to maintain proper water temperature. Due to this standby heat loss, energy is wasted reheating water in the tank multiple times until the water is finally used. Instead of storing water, a tankless unit heats only when hot water is needed.

• Unlimited hot water. When someone opens a hot water tap in the house, a tankless unit senses the requirement and instantly begins heating the continuous flow of water for as long as required. You never run out of hot water like you do with a storage-tank unit when demand is high. Nobody ends up shivering in a cold shower.

• Longer service life. The tank is a weak link in a storage-tank water heater. After an average service life of about 12 years, standard water-heater tanks are subject to internal corrosion, mineral accumulation, and leakage that require replacement of the entire unit. Tankless units eliminate these downsides and, with proper maintenance, will usually last more than 20 years.

• Improved energy efficiency and lower costs. In a home that uses up to 40 gallons of hot water daily, tankless heaters are about 30% more energy-efficient than a conventional tank model. According to the EPA, a tankless heater with Energy Star certification can reduce hot water costs by $100 per year in the typical household.

More Benefits Of tulsa Tankless Water Heaters

Not only will a tankless heater save you money on your energy bills, it will also save space within your home since these systems do not require large holding tanks like their traditional counterparts do. This can free up some space in your basement for extra storage, or a kid’s play area.

Another feature that makes these new, more modern heaters very popular is the fact that it is virtually impossible to run out of hot water. It only takes a few consecutive showers to deplete a traditional heater’s tank. Afterwards, it is necessary to wait until the tank’s contents are heated once again before you can access hot water. With a tankless system, the supply is continuous and plentiful.

Tankless Water Heater Installation

The proper installation of a tankless water heater is very important for it to run efficiently and perform as it is designed to do. There are many aspects to properly installing a tankless water heater and you should hire Air Assurance’s professional plumbers to complete the installation.

To properly install a tankless water heater, Air Assurance will first check the gas line. A tankless water heater will typically require a gas line with a larger diameter. There is a little electrical wiring involved as well, and once the old water heater is removed and disconnected, we can begin setup of the new water heater. Tankless water heaters are mounted to the wall, not left on the floor like a conventional water heater.

For more about the efficiency and performance benefits of a tankless water heater, contact Air Assurance.

What to Do If You Have a Leaking Pipe Under the Bathroom Sink

When you see a pool of water on the bathroom floor by the cabinet or inside the bathroom cabinet, it means you have that dreaded circumstance you may have Googled before: "leaking pipe under bathroom sink." The first thing to do is turn off the hot and cold water valves under the sink. Next, you may be thinking you're going to have to call a plumber. Well, if you're handy with simple tools, this guide to troubleshooting bathroom-pipe leaks may save you a plumbing service call.

Diagnose the Source

The first step in repairing that "leaking pipe under bathroom sink" is locating the leak. There are six possible sources: the hot- and cold-water shut-off valves, the hot- and cold-water hose connections, the drain assembly, and the P-trap.

Shut-Off Valves Leak

Leaky hot- and cold-water shut-off valves must be replaced. You'll need to turn off the water main. Shut-off valves are either soldered on, which requires a plumber to fix, or screwed on with a compression fitting. If it's screwed on, simply purchase a new valve and replace it.

Water-Hose Leak

If the dreaded "leaking pipe under bathroom sink" is one of the hot- and cold-water hoses, it may be possible to troubleshoot the leak yourself. Use a pair of pliers to tighten the connection. If that doesn't work, unscrew the hose and see if the gasket is worn and needs to be replaced.

Drain Leak

Drain-assembly leaks are the most difficult to repair and will likely require you to call your plumber. To fix this type of "leaking pipe under bathroom sink," the P-trap is removed first and then the drain is removed. Wrap the drain threads with plumber's tape and reinstall the drain and P-trap.

P-trap Leak

The P-trap is the curved-shaped pipe beneath the drain. Two compression nuts hold the P-trap together. If the leak is coming from one of the nuts, tighten it by hand, and if that doesn't work, use pliers to tighten the nut.

If you need a professional plumber for that "leaking pipe under bathroom sink," contact Air Assurance!

The Top Three Links between Plumbing and HVAC

Certain HVAC and plumbing links are built into most homes. While we tend to think of these as distinct, separate systems, cooling and heating may interact with plumbing at several points inside your house. Defects can cause problems in either system, including indoor water damage and potential damage to connected HVAC units. Here are some points where HVAC and plumbing links converge inside your home — and what could go wrong. 

AC Overflow

Humidity reduction is a vital part of air conditioning. As the indoor evaporator coil condenses water vapor, it is collected in a condensate drip pan beneath the indoor air handler. This liquid flows through a line that's connected to the household drain system. Problems that occur with HVAC and plumbing links include algae growth in the condensate drip pan clogging the drain line. If this happens, the drip pan will overflow every time the AC cycles on.

Annual preventive maintenance of HVAC and plumbing links by a qualified professional contractor includes an inspection and cleaning of the drip pan and drain line. Biocide tablets may be added to the drip pan to inhibit algae growth and prevent future clogs.

A High-Efficiency Furnace

Furnaces with high AFUE efficiency ratings condense water vapor present in exhaust gases. This condensate flows through typical HVAC and plumbing links, including a drain line that extends to the outdoors or into the home's drain system. A clog anywhere can cause condensate to back up into the furnace, triggering an automatic safety switch that shuts down the furnace. Professional HVAC service is required to clear the clog and then restart the furnace. 

Home Dehumidifiers

A whole-home dehumidifier that's installed inside home ductwork may produce more than 10 gallons of condensate daily. A blockage anywhere in the common HVAC and plumbing links may cause leakage or overflow and resulting water damage where the dehumidifier is located — usually in the attic. Most manufacturers recommend annual dehumidifier preventative maintenance by a qualified professional to avoid clogs and overflow.

For more about potential problems with HVAC and plumbing links — as well as effective solutions — talk to the professionals at Air Assurance.

Should You Link Your Plumbing and HVAC Systems to Save Money?

Though your plumbing and HVAC systems serve different functions, there are certain places where links between the two units may connect inside your house. Both your central air conditioner, as well as a high-efficiency, two-stage furnace, produce condensation which must be effectively drained from each unit.

Here are two scenarios where plumbing and HVAC links are vital, as well as what might go wrong with each.

Central Air Conditioner

On a humid summer day, the indoor evaporator coil for a central AC can produce more than 20 gallons of condensation. All that water flows from the coil into a condensate drip pan situated beneath the indoor air handler, then into a PVC drain pipe connected to the home-plumbing drain system.

What Might Go Wrong

Algae or mold growth may occur in the drip pan and clog the condensate drain pipe, causing the pan to overflow. In that case, serious water damage to the house may occur.

Annual cooling system preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC service technician includes an inspection of the condensate drip pan. If algae or mold growth is noted, the pan can be cleaned and the drain line blown out to ensure proper drain function. Algicide tablets may also be placed in the pan to prevent a recurrence.

High-Efficiency Furnace

A high-efficiency furnace also produces condensation. This water may flow through a drain pipe to be discharged outside the house or into a connection with the home drainage system.

What Might Go Wrong

In cold weather, the drain pipe may freeze where it terminates outside, blocking flow. In this case, a safety sensor will automatically shut down the furnace to prevent internal damage.

An HVAC contractor can verify that the condensate drain line is properly slanted so water drainage flows rapidly and does not freeze Alternatively, the drain line may be connected to the household drain system. However, because furnace condensate is caustic, it must be routed through a condensate neutralizer installed at the furnace connection to prevent corrosion of home drain pipes.

For professional service to prevent or resolve issues with plumbing and HVAC links, contact the experts at Air Assurance.

How Can Your Pipes Affect the Temperature of the Water In Your Home?

You may want to draw cold water from your tap but end up with warm or hot water in your glass. Or maybe you could run out of warm water in the middle of your morning shower, forcing you to finish with cold water. These are some of the annoying consequences that you can suffer by ignoring your home's plumbing system. Let's learn more about how your pipes cause inconsistent water-temperature effects.

Leaks

Pipes exposed to extreme temperatures can rupture and leak, leading to inconsistencies in water temperature. For example, in the height of summer, the sweltering heat can make pipes expand and burst. If hot or lukewarm water comes out of your cold-water faucets for several minutes, your water pipes may have started to leak or gain massive pressure.

Faulty Dip Tube

Your conventional water heater has two pipes that extend into it. One short dip tube draws hot water from the tank, while the longer one pushes cold water downward to the bottom of the tank. When the cold-water tube detaches, cracks, develops holes, or becomes corroded, it causes cold water to mix with hot water. This leads to inconsistent temperatures.

Obstructed Pipes

If you have a tankless water heater, mineral deposits like rust, carbonates, and oxides inside your pipes can hamper its ability to deliver hot water. Vermin, nests, and other debris can also block your vent pipes and prevent the heater from operating correctly.

Just like the other systems in your home, your plumbing system requires regular attention. You can avoid the issues above by making sure your plumbing system is inspected regularly and insulated adequately and that your underground pipes are laid deep enough to protect them from extreme temperatures.

For more information on solving these water-temperature effects, contact Air Assurance. With more than 50 years of experience, our master plumbers help homeowners in the Broken Arrow area solve all their plumbing problems. We also offer our customers a Plumbing Service Plan that helps them deal with potential problems early and prevent expensive and inconvenient repairs.