Thursday, April 19, 2012

Tankless Water Heaters: FAQs!

Tankless Water Heaters -Most Commonly Asked Questions

 

Q. What does the General Limited Warranty cover?

A. Our tankless water heaters do not hold any hot water. By turning on the faucet, the cold water flow through the flow sensor will turn on the burner. The minimum flow rate to do this is 0.50gpm. The cold water will be heated up to 180ºF if desired. This allows the Navien tankless water heaters to have a 15 year limited warranty.

Q. How much money can I save on my utility bills w/ the Tankless Water Heater?
A. You should be able to save 50% to 75%.

Q. How hot is the water from the Tankless Water Heater?
A. The tankless water heater has a computer-controlled remote controlled system, which will enable you to select temperatures from 115 to 180 degrees 

Q. How much hot water I can have?
A. The tankless water heater output temperature is set by the controller. Depending on the model, the maximum output flow rate is as high as 13.6 gallons per minute.

Q. What is the difference between the tankless water heater and a typical tank type water heater?
A. With a tank type water heater, you can draw hot water as fast as your plumbing will allow, however when the hot water tank is depleted, you have to wait for the tank to re-heat before you can use hot water again. Tankless water heaters eliminate the pilot light w/ a computer-controlled electronic ignition. w/ computer-modulated gas valves, water is heated once, rapidly, efficiently & only as needed.

Q. Can I use more than two fixtures at the same time?
A. Yes. The tankless water heater will can handle more than two fixtures, such as showers at the same time.

Q. Has the Navien tankless water heater been approved by Government or National Standards?
A. Yes. The all of the Navien tankless water heaters are approved and are listed by the Trade Commission & California Energy Commission with 98% thermal efficiency.

Q. How can the tankless water heater save money?
A. Most tank type water heaters raise their heat about 3 to 4% each hour. Since the Navien tankless water heater heats water only when the faucet is turned on, there is no standby heat loss. It only uses energy when you are using hot water & it only heats as much water as is needed.

Q. Does the Navien tankless water heater have a pilot light?
A. No. The Navien tankless water heater has an electronic ignition system. This means no more wasted gas & money.

Q. Does the Navien tankless water heater require electrical power to operate?
A. Yes. The Navien tankless water heater has a fan, a computer board & electronic ignition. You need 110V but it only takes a maximum 0.8A draw.

 Q. What kind venting system does it have?

A. The Navien tankless water heater has a power venting system w/ fan assistance. The vent size is a 4" PVC; it can run out the roof or sidewall. If it is installed outdoors, it doesn't need any vent.

Q. What size are the water & gas connections?
A. The Navien tankless water heater inlet & hot water outlet are connected w/ standard 3/4" water connections. Gas connection is 3/4" & the gas supply piping required is 3/4".

Tax Credit starting January 2011$300 tax credit for installing new highly efficient water heaters

President Obama and Congress just passed an Energy Bill that will give a tax incentive credit of up to $300 to all homeowners nationwide who purchase a highly efficient water heater in 2012.

There are additional proponents that address new construction, residential and commercial installations not yet published.

Tankless Water Heaters are the new technology, click HERE to learn more at Mumford Plumbing.com

 
 

Monday, April 16, 2012

How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work

With the increased discussion about "going green" as well as the economic needs of managing energy costs, there has been increased attention to the Tankless Water Heater.

The common question:  How does the tankless water heater work.  Below is a step by step description of the process.  
) A hot water tap is opened...

2) The water enters the heater.

3) A water flow sensor detects the water flow.

4) The computer automatically ignites the burner.

5) The water circulates through the heat exchanger (coil).

6) The heat exchanger instantly heats the water at the designated temperature.
(this takes only 5 seconds)

7) The heater can provide you with endless hot water continuously. No more running out of hot water in the middle of a shower!

8) When the hot water tap is turned off, the unit shuts down automatically. Using only the BTU’s needed for one application.

Energy saved and an tax rebate as wellStay tuned to next insert of Frequently Asked Questions or visit us for more answers.

Call us for more details.  Call us - Joe Mumford Plumbing & Heating Co. 

"Your Source for Professional Service"   530-878-2566

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Real Answers: Finding a Decent Plumber

Question:
No baloney, please. Just tell me where I can find a decent plumber who doesn't charge an arm and a leg.

Reply:
The same place you find the goose that lays golden eggs - in a fairy tale.

Some household repairs - fixing a leak under your sink, clearing a clogged drain, etc., are simple enough that many home owners choose to save money by doing it themselves. This is always an option.

However, when you call a professional plumber for a simple household repair, he does not charge on the basis of how complicated the job might be, but based on his time and overhead expenses. So there is a certain minimum he must charge on every call, no matter how simple the job might be.

This usually amounts to somewhere between $50-100. People tend to get upset paying $50 or more for a job that may take merely 10 - 15 minutes to complete. What they fail to factor is what it costs the company to bring a plumber to your door. They must pay for the dispatcher, truck, fuel, tools, insurance coverage, office equipment, etc.

How do you define a "decent" plumber? The least most people would expect is that he'd be able to identify and fix the problem and guarantee it for at least a year - or return at no extra charge if it breaks down before that. The work should abide by safety standards and codes. It's also reasonable to expect the firm to be licensed, insured and not on the public prosecutor's most wanted list. This inevitably means adding that "arm and leg" in overhead costs.

So much for simple repairs. The true skill of a mechanic, just as with a doctor, has less to do with turning a wrench than diagnosing a problem. If you have no hot water, or no heat from your boiler, or foul gunk flows from a faucet, it's no time to look for someone who works cheap. Imagine asking: "How can I find a decent brain surgeon who doesn't charge an arm and a leg...a decent defense lawyer...a decent airplane pilot..."

Oh, but how could anyone compare one of those skilled professionals to a lowly plumber! The fact of the matter is that plumbers also deal in life and death matters. The fuel lines and flues to your heating equipment carry the potential for death and destruction. And how would you like someone to cross-connect a waste line with your potable water supply? A well-trained plumber has been through a four or five year apprenticeship that is every bit as challenging as a college education. Their work is priced accordingly.

Some plumbing companies have taken to charging a flat rate for certain types of repairs, whether it takes one, two or more hours to do the job. People who don't like surprises may find this more appealing than paying by the hour.

If you do find a very cheap plumber, beware. As with everything else, you get what you pay for. That's no baloney.