Tankless Water Heater Service & Maintenance

Joe Mumford Plumbing and Heating Co. services all makes and models of tankless water heaters. We offer routine maintenance for all hot water heater systems, including tankless water heaters. We service all tankless water heaters. To request maintenance on your tankless water heater, call us at (530) 878-2566.

Routine Maintenance for Tankless Water Heaters

Routine Maintenance is essential on tankless water heaters. All manufacturers of water heaters and tankless water heaters require annual maintenance to keep warranties valid. Tankless water heaters are manufactured with stainless steel heat exchangers that have narrow cavities between the sections.

A natural process of heating water is removal of calcium. The calcium builds up on the stainless heat exchanger. Eventually it slows the heat transfer process reducing efficiency and if let go for a long enough time it will slow down and even stop the flow of hot water. Annual maintenance includes an acid (or vinegar) flush of the system. The acid dissolves the calcium and brings the tankless water heater back to its original efficiency.

Routine maintenance also includes a complete check out of gas controls, safety’s and calibration ot factory specifications. Most importantly you are dealing with explosive natural gases and for the safety of you and your family check out and maintain your tankless water heater every year. To have routine maintenance on your tankless water heater call us at (530) 878-2566.

Tankless Maintenance Procedure

Maintenance on a tankless water heater should be performed by a qualified technician or plumber. To perform maintenance, the electrical power supply should be turned off along with the manual gas valve and the manual water control valve. Anytime the gas valve and electrical supply should have to be dealt with you want to make sure to have a Water Heater specialist on hand, like the ones at Joe Mumford Plumbing & Heating Co.

After performing maintenance, our qualified technician makes sure that your tankless water heater is operational before leaving your home. If you are interested in maintenance on your tankless water heater, call Mumford Plumbing  at (530) 878-2566.

Troubled Waters in the Sierra Foothills

Troubled Waters: Common problems in household water in the Sierra Foothills!

As moisture falls to the earth in the form of rain, snow, etc. It is relatively free from impurities except for what it has collected from the air on its journey downward.

Problem: HARDNESS….. In this natural state, water is "aggressive" or acidic in form. As nature's natural solvent, water wants to dissolve something and hasn't, as yet, had the chance. When the water seeps through the earth it dissolves, in many areas of the country, shale, limestone and other rocks containing calcium and magnesium, which are the minerals that cause the problem called hard water.

Hardness deposits in water heaters can reduce energy efficiency and the soap scum caused by using soap and hard water leaves rings on bathtubs, hair and skin after shampooing and bathing.
Solution…..  A water softener helps remove damaging calcium and magnesium and makes water a pleasure to use for cleaning, bathing and does it more effectively and economically.

The softeners take the hardness minerals out of water by passing the water through a bed of ion exchange resin. The resin beads are covered with sodium ions and as the hard water goes through the bed, the hardness mineral ions (calcium and magnesium) replace the sodium ions on the beads making the water free from hardness----or as it is called----"soft water."

When the resin bed has exchanged all of its sodium ions for hardness ions it can no longer do its job. At this point, the softener is recharged by passing a salt brine through the bed. This brine 'bath' washes the hardness minerals from the beads with sodium. The unit is now ready to soften the water again.

We recommend "demand regeneration" softeners that monitor water usage like a home water meter and signals regeneration according to the amount of water used to reduce salt and water consumption.

Problem: IRON ….. Iron is introduced to our water supply when water passes through iron bearing rock and strata such as we find here in the Sierras. Iron in water can cause rusty stains on sinks and laundry, plug pipes and water using appliances and give water a bad taste.

There are three types of iron found in our water. Red Water Iron: Water is already rust colored when drawn. Clear Water Iron: Water is clear when drawn but turns rusty when oxidized (left over night) Bacterial Iron: A non-harmful bacteria that feeds on iron and is present in the red water iron. If left standing, such as in a toilet tank, it will turn into clumps of red slime and have a rainbow colored reflection when a flashlight reflects on it.

Solution: Iron filter: Contains a media rich in oxygen that oxidizes iron into particles then traps them in the bed. Two methods are currently the most popular in use. One regenerates a bed of manganese greensand when necessary with potassium permanganate to replenish oxygen. The other, newer method utilized aeration with an aspirator ahead of an iron filter containing a media that also raises ph, if necessary. Iron filters work best on a ph range of 7.5 to 8.5.

Problem: ACID WATER ….. Acid water is water with a ph lower than 7.0. When water falls to the earth it is relatively pure and in this condition it wants to dissolve something. It is very aggressive or acidic. When the water passes through subsoil that consist of granite, marble or other impervious material it remains acidic. When water in this acidic condition reaches home water supplies it attacks everything it touches. Acid water will leave blue-green stains on plumbing fixtures, pit chrome plumbing fittings and china and corrode pipes.

Solution: An acid neutralizer contains a mineral (limestone) that dissolves in the water raising the ph. The mineral media is sacrificial and must be replaced when necessary. We recommend equipment that back flushes itself because if the media is not back washed it will harden to a state similar to concrete. This will prevent flow and cause, what we call, “worm holes” These worm holes allow water to flow too freely thru the media but not percolate thru the limestone.

Mumford Plumbing can help educate you on water treatment, click HERE for more information.

Rebate Programs For Water Conservation

Rebate Programs

There are a variety of rebate available to save you money. Water conservation incentives and services can make your home or business more water-efficient, save water and energy costs, and lower landscape maintenance and utility bills.

A water-efficient home and business can reduce waste, pollution from irrigation runoff and greenhouse gas emissions from water pumping and heating. Joe Mumford Plumbing & Heating Co. is working to help you and your home be more water-efficient.

Residential Rebate Programs:

High-Efficiency Toilet (HET) Rebate Program. Offers up to a $175 rebate to replace older 3 gallons or more flush toilets with new 1.28 or less gallons high-efficiency toilets for all treated water customers in the PCWA service area. The average water savings for HETs is estimated to be 38 gallons per day (gpd) over the older model.

Hot Water Demand Whole House Recirculation System Rebate Program. This program offers a $150 rebate for every tank style hot water heater replaced with a Hot Water Demand Whole House Recirculation System. 

A Hot Water Demand Whole House Recirculation System as a tankless hot water heater, a pump system that quickly circulates hot water throughout the whole house and a thermal bypass valve. The pump can be located at the hot water heater or the furthest point from the hot water heater.

The pump can be controlled by a timer, wireless remote control, motion sensor or by an on demand switch. The cold water is saved using a thermal valve at the furthest point from the tankless hot water heater, thus recirculating back into the cold water pipe.

Point of Use Hot Water Rebate Pilot Program. This program offers a $50 rebate for every point of use hot water heater installed. A Point of Use Hot Water heaters as devices that are placed under a sink to bring instant hot water to the faucet. Normally these are 2-3 gallon devices and are plugged into an outlet

You can learn more about efficiency with all your plumbing needs, click HERE for MumfordPlumbin.com.

Got Air for the Summer!

Get your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer!

Now is the time to check out your air conditioning system and have it serviced ahead of the summer heat.

Take care of it now while temperatures are still mild and you will be all set when scorching summer temperatures begin.

Schedule a service call with Joe Mumford Plumbing & Heating Co. We specialize in residential HVAC maintenance and will service the system and make sure it is in top condition when you need it this summer.

We will check and adjust refrigerant levels, lubricate the system, inspect and clean the coils and heat exchanger, and check the entire system to make sure it is operating properly.

 If you schedule service now you can beat the rush. If you wait too long, the top heating and air conditioning companies will be booked solid and it could take a few days before they can get to you.

Don’t get caught without Air Conditioning in the heat of the summer!

Ask about our Air Conditioning Special!

 SAVE $$$ on your Tune-Up!  Call us now to save money later!

Save Money on Central Air Conditioning Bills

Potential for Savings - Air conditioners are responsible for the major part of most people’s electric bills during the summer months and heaters are responsible for a large part of the utility bills during the winter. While they can be significant there are several simple things you can do to cut back on our bills.

Maintain Your System - With the proper maintenance your air conditioning and heating equipment will work more economically and be dependable for years to come. With a few easy and routine procedures you can keep your unit at peak performance and get the maximum amount of comfort from your HVAC system.

 Get a Tune Up - To keep your central air conditioner and heater working to its fullest potential occasionally you need a tune up. If you choose to skip regular maintenance you will find yourself paying for a major repair down the line. If you skip your regular maintenance, you will cost yourself money and be inconvenienced in the long run. For maximum performance and long life have a professional perform needed maintenance on your air conditioner in the spring and your furnace or heat pump in the fall.

Have Freon leaks repaired - Leaks in your system will lower its efficiency and will only get worse with time. Freon is not a fuel source it is only a cooling medium and like the water in your radiator it should only need to be replaced if there is a leak.

Get a Programmable Thermostat - You should consider investing in a programmable thermostat especially if your house is empty for part of the day. This will allow you to set your unit to a more efficient temperature while you are gone and then have it drop back to a comfortable level thirty minutes before you are due to arrive home.

Some people also like to set a different temperature for when they are asleep then their waking hours. Most thermostats can be set for a particular day of the week so you can bypass your program or change it on days when you are home like weekends.

Set your thermostat a few degrees higher in the summer and a few degrees lower in the winter. Many experts agree that 78°F is a good starting point in order to save money. Every degree below 78°F that you set your thermostat for AC will increase your energy usage by around 8 percent.

Properly Seal your Ducts - Have your ductwork checked to see if it needs any repairs or if it needs to be replaced. If some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold, if the insulation is peeling or if there is a buildup of contaminates inside consider having your ducts evaluated to see if they need replacing. Also return grilles and grills in each room should be evaluated to see if they are properly sized and working correctly.

 Repair Air Leaks - You should have a professional examine your air conditioning unit and see if air is leaking out of it. Some experts report the average home leaks 30 percent of air that the AC and heating unit is putting out. This is a huge source of wasted energy that can be easily recouped.

You can see more information by clicking HERE for MumfordPlumbing.com

What Do You Know About Mumford Plumbing!

Did you know…  We do plumbing repairs, new faucet and fixture installations, leak repairs, and can diagnose & repair just about any plumbing problems?

Did you know…  We sell and service heating and air conditioning equipment?  We can also set you up with an automatic seasonal maintenance program to save you money?

Did you know…  Tank type water heater heaters typically have problems more in the winter than any other season?

Did you know…  We do free water testing for your well water including pH, hardness, iron, and TDS (total dissolved solids) so we can specify the proper water treatment equipment. We also can set you up for an automatic maintenance service.

Did you know…  We don’t charge by the hour, but by the job,
which saves you money?

Did you know…  We serve both residential and commercial customers?  You too can benefit from the trained technicians here at Joe Mumford Plumbing
& Heating Co.

We Do It All!!

You can rely on Joe Mumford Plumbing & Heating Co. to properly diagnose and take care of virtually any Plumbing, Heating/AC, Well or Water Treatment problems you may be having.  After all, we have over 38 years of experience serving.
Want to learn more, click HERE for MumfordPlumbing.com

Selecting a New Water Heater

Whether you’re replacing a worn-out existing water heater or looking for the best model for a new house you’re building, it pays to choose carefully. Look for a water heater that satisfies your hot water needs and uses as little energy as possible. Often you can substantially reduce your hot water needs through water conservation efforts.

• Think About a Replacement Now: If you're like most people, you’re unlikely to go out looking for a water heater until your existing one fails, leaving little time to look for a water heater that most appropriately fits your needs and offers the highest level of energy efficiency. A much better approach is to do some research now. Figure out what type of water heater you want—gas or electric, storage or demand, stand-alone or integrated with your heating system, etc. Then, figure out the proper size for your household.
• Sizing a Water Heater: The capacity of a water heater is an important consideration. The water heater should provide enough hot water at the busiest time of the day. The ability of a storage water heater to meet peak demands for hot water is indicated by its "first hour rating." This rating accounts for the effects of tank size and the speed by which cold water is heated. Demand water heaters should be sized according to the required gallons per minute (gpm) flow rate and temperature rise required for your largest expected hot water fixture (usually a shower).With solar water heaters, you should discuss your requirements carefully with the solar water heating salesperson. You will need to size both the solar hot water system itself and the back-up electric or gas water heater. It generally makes the most sense to size a solar water heater to provide two-thirds to three-fourths of your total demand, and provide the rest with a back-up system.
• Fuel Options: What type of fuel makes the most sense for your water heater? If you currently have an electric water heater and natural gas is available in your area, a switch might save you a lot of money. Oil- and propane-fired water heaters are also usually less expensive to operate than electric models. Before you rule out electricity, though, check with your utility company. It may offer special off-peak rates that make electricity a more attractive option.
• Look for Sealed Combustion or Power-Vented Systems: For safety as well as energy efficiency, look for gas- or oil-fired water heaters with sealed combustion or power venting. Sealed combustion means that outside air is brought in directly to the water heater and exhaust gases are vented directly outside. The combustion is totally separated from the house air. Power-vented equipment can use house air for combustion, but flue gases are vented to the outside with the aid of a fan. In very tight houses, drawing combustion air from the house and passively venting flue gases up the chimney can sometimes result in back-drafting of dangerous combustion gases into the house.

COMPARING THE TRUE COSTS OF WATER HEATERS

When comparing the cost of various water heating options, keep in mind that there are two types of cost you need to look at: purchase cost and operating cost. Life-cycle costs, which take into account both the initial costs and operating costs of different water heaters, provide a much more accurate representation of the true costs of the water heater than the purchase price alone. Life-cycle costs for the most common types of water heaters under typical operating conditions are shown in the table here. When both purchase and operating costs are taken into account, one of the least expensive systems to buy (conventional electric storage) is one of the most costly to operate over a 13-year period. An electric heat pump water heater, though expensive to purchase, has a much lower cost over the long term. A solar water heating system, which costs the most to buy, has the lowest yearly operating cost among electric systems.