Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Important Changes to Water Heaters Coming Soon!

Beginning in April 2015, new government mandated regulations will take effect on virtually ALL residential water heaters, requiring them to have higher energy efficiency ratings

What does this mean?

Any new water heaters manufactured after April 16, 2015 must meet the new regulations.  Some models will no longer be manufactured, and existing models will need to be altered to meet the minimum energy efficiency
requirements.  Many units will increase in size because they will require more insulation, and other units will have new technology.  Basically, water heaters as we know them will be entirely different.  Costs are expected to increase for both material and installation of these new water heaters.  Installations will most likely require additional training for plumbers, thus making it more difficult for the do-it-yourself homeowners.  This law affects only the manufacturing of new water heaters, any remaining inventory is still allowed to be sold and installed, so there may be a lag in time on when this actually starts affecting consumers. 

What does this mean for you?

These new regulations mean increased costs, completely different water heater options than in the past, and units that are 2” larger (or more) in height and/or diameter.  With the increase in size, this is particularly an issue for condo buildings and apartments that frequently have water heaters installed in tight spaces under the counter, or in a closet.  In addition to issues with doorway access – homes with water heaters in tight places may need to relocate the water heater, or downgrade to a smaller size.  For individuals with gas water heaters (which are also expected to increase in size), tank-less water heaters may become a more viable option due to space constraints.  If you are considering replacing your water heater in the near future, it’s important to take these changes into consideration now, before the new changes take effect.

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Holiday Plumbing Tips

The holidays are often the busiest time of year for plumbers. Sometimes issues can arise when you are not home, or because you have too many people in your home. Here are a few tips to reduce your chances of becoming victim to frozen pipes and common clogs:

-If travelling for the holidays, do not turn your heat below 60. It's also a good idea to turn your water off at the main shut off valve - if a leak should occur while you are gone, this will minimize the damage.

-Try not to put any fats, oils or fibrous/tough materials (including sweet potatoes, egg shells and poultry skins) down your drain or into your garbage disposal.

-Turn your disposal on before throwing any food scraps into it.  Also let your disposal run for at least 10-15 seconds before and after using it to be sure that all of the food waste has flushed through.

-Avoid using flushable wipes - they are often not as 'flushable' as the manufacturer makes them out to be and can commonly cause backups.

-Keep a trash can nearby toilets and make sure it's visible to discourage guests from flushing unwanted items.  


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Garbage Disposal Troubleshooting Tips for Common Problems l AHS


Here are some troubleshooting tips for common garbage disposal problems, if these don't work then it might be a good idea to call a professional.