Jan 11

Water Heater Costs Goes Up With NAECA

By City Wide Plumbing hot water, hot water tanks

A hot bath or shower may be one of the best ways to feel better except when the water turns cold midway through.

hot bath It’s then you know there’s a problem – and it may be stemming from an older hot water tank.

Most water heater tanks last about 5 to 10 years. If your hot water heater dates back to 2009 or earlier, you may be in the market for a new water heater, and there are some updates you’ll need to know.

After March 16, 2015, the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act went into effect, requiring higher energy efficiencies for almost all residential tank-type gas, electric, oil and tankless gas water heaters manufactured in the U.S.

Every hot water tank is labeled with an efficiency rating, called an energy factor (EF). The higher the EF, the more efficient the tank will be. The rating measures efficiency in two ways: when it converts the power source – gas, propane or electricity – into hot water and how well it reduces the amount of energy lost. The higher the EF, the less your tank will cost you to operate every month.

For example, the new electric-powered hot water tank requirements are 95 EF, a 3 EF improvement over the previous, pre-2015 92 EF standards. While both 92 EF and 95 EF water heaters may use the same amount of fuel to heat the water in the tank, a 95 EF water heater will minimize the amount of energy wasted on the heating. A 95 EF-rated unit means 95% of your fuel dollars are being used to heat the water. The other benefit is that your water heats faster and stays hotter over time. Together, the higher efficiency water heaters are less expensive to operate, helping you keep more money in your pocket – about 10 to 20% annually.

Initial costs for a new water heater with the higher efficiency standards are greater depending on the size tank you choose – but there are some other considerations, too. When you upgrade, the new tanks are larger in height and width (circumference), which may require a custom installation. This is due to the additional insulation. Talk to your City Wide Water Heater experts – they can advise you on your options, provide you with an accurate estimate and show you how you can save on energy costs with a new, energy-efficient water heater.

In the meantime, protect the water heater you have. You can do that by following some easy maintenance tips:

Drain the tank twice a year. Write date on tank with a sharpie.
Keep your tank temperature at or below 120 degrees Fahrenheit
Use the “vacation” setting when you’ll be out of town for a longer period of time on gas water heaters.
Check the area around your tank regularly – when you see water leaking or a rust build-up, it may be time for a water heater checkup.
Have a drip pan installed under the water heater.
Check water pressure, if too much it can be a problem.

Jun 21

When your hot water isn’t so hot anymore in Chandler, AZ.

By City Wide Plumbing hot water, Phoenix Plumbing, water heaters No Comments

no more hot water With 330 days of sunshine in Chandler and lots of time to spend outside, it’s great to come home and experience a hot shower to soothe those tired muscles. When your hot water isn’t so hot anymore, it may be time for water heater repairs or even a new, more energy efficient water heater.

If getting a water heater checkup just for hotter showers isn’t enough of an incentive, think about the other ways your household relies on hot water.

When you don’t have it, you might notice:

Dishes go into your dishwasher and come out looking almost the same. When your water heater isn’t doing its job, your dishwasher can’t clean as well. Detergent may not dissolve, grease may remain and you’ve just wasted a lot of water and electricity for dishes that don’t clean up. If you do your dishes by hand, you may have to boil water in a kettle or add a bit of bleach to your wash water to get dishes and glassware squeaky clean and sanitary.

Your laundry needs more help. When your water isn’t hot enough, whites and other clothing won’t get sanitized, and greasy stains may set in deeper. You’ll have to rely on bleach and/or need more wash time to keep your laundry up to your standards.

So when your water heater isn’t living up to its name, call the experts from City Wide Plumbing.

They provide a quick response to plumbing problems including water heater repair and water heater installations. In fact, they usually provide same-day service – even on Saturdays! A no-cost evaluation can save you time and money, and get your water temperatures back up where they belong.

Apr 01

4 Steps to Flush Out Your Water Heater

By City Wide Plumbing AZ, Gas Water Heaters, hot water, leaking water heater, Phoenix, Phoenix Plumbing, rusted water heater, water heaters No Comments

1-Turn Off Water Supply

If you have a gas heater turn the thermostat to the “pilot” setting, if your heater is electric turn off the power at the breaker box. Connect a hose to the drain valve located close to the thermostat, but do not open the valve yet. Turn off the cold water supply that feeds the water heater.

2-Drain the Hot Water

In order to prevent a vacuum from forming in the water line, go inside your home and open up one of the hot water faucets in one of your sinks or tubs. Go back to the water heater and open up the drain valve to drain hot water out of the tank. Make sure the other end of the hose is draining in a safe location, an outside driveway would be ideal.

3-Flush Out Remaining Sediment

Once the water stops flowing out of the far end of the hose turn the water supply back on. This will flush out any remaining sediment left behind in the heater. Once the water runs clear from the end of the hose close the drain valve. Dont forget to turn the hot water faucet inside your house back off.

Every water heater tank is different and you should always read the warnings and instructions in order to prevent damage.

4-Test the Pressure Release Valve

After the tank has filled with water turn the power supply back on at the breaker box or thermostat. Once the water temp has been brought back up, test the pressure relief valve per manufacturers instructions. This valve is designed to prevent overheating and excess pressure build up inside the tank. If it is faulty contact City Wide Plumbing to have it replaced.

City Wide Plumbing

Servicing Phoenix AZ and the surrounding area for more than 30 years, City Wide has all the tools and expertise necessary to assist you with whatever plumbing problem you may encounter. Licensed, bonded and insured, contact City Wide and let our plumbing professionals take care of all your plumbing needs. Servicing these East Valley Cities and many more, Tempe, Apache Junction, Scottsdale, Ahwatukee, Higley, Sun Lakes and The Metro Phoenix Area.

Mar 28

How the New 2015 Water Heater Regulations Affect You

By City Wide Plumbing Gas Water Heaters, hot water, leaking water heater, Licensed Professional Plumber, no hot water, rusted water heater, water heaters No Comments

Starting April 16, 2015 the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA) will be completely changing the water heater landscape. Calling for significant changes to water heater energy factor requirements, this will affect virtually all residential gas, electric, and oil water heaters.

These new regulations will end up saving customers money all year long. according to the US. Department of Energy website these new standards will save approximately $63 Billion in energy bills for products shipped from 2015-2044.

How does this affect me?

As a Phoenix AZ homeowner you have much to gain from the new efficiency regulations. Savings on energy and money can be considerable with the compliant products. In most cases the new water heaters will easily replace the majority of existing products, only being 1-2 inches taller and wider due to additional insulation. However in some rare cases where available space is inadequate the new water heater will need to be placed in a different location.

If this is the case City Wide Plumbing can help with a custom installation. These are more costly as they usually require new water piping and possible gas line or electric service.

What should I do?

Take care of your current water heater, as of right now the average lifespan of a water heater is 7-10 years, call City Wide today to schedule a check-up. If you think you are due for a new water heating unit we recommend you act sooner rather than later. City Wide Plumbing can provide custom installation and competitive pricing on many water heater choices. Our professional plumbers will be able to tell which product will fit your home and lifestyle. Licensed, bonded and insured we have all the tools and expertise to help with any water heating problem or question you may have.

Mar 19

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

By City Wide Plumbing AZ, conserve water, find a plumber, hot water, leaking water heater, Licensed Professional Plumber, local plumber, no hot water, Phoenix, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

A traditional water heater continually heats water in a tank regardless of whether its being used. By comparison the newer tankless water heater designs heat water only when there is a demand for it. Meaning it only heats water when you turn on your hot water tap or your showers hot water knob. This type of water heating system has been popular in Europe and Japan for quite some time and is just now gaining steam in the United States. Why is this significant to you? Keep reading. As a Phoenix, AZ homeowner, the advantages will be very clear shortly.

Whole House vs Point of Use Systems

The whole house system can supply hot water to more than one plumbing fixture. The point of use system is small enough to fit in a cabinet and will only supply hot water to a specific plumbing fixture. If you want hot water in the kitchen and in the shower you will need two point of use systems. The whole house system can be connected to your dishwasher, shower, and kitchen faucet etc.

The Tankless Advantages

30% of the average homes energy budget is consumed by heating water. A tankless water heating system demands less energy and only heats water as needed. Here is what you have been waiting for: It will not only save you money on your electricity bill but on your water bill as well. Tankless heating systems are known to last as long as 20 years almost doubling that of a traditional heater of 7-10 years. The maintenance and repair on tankless systems is also less demanding saving you money on repair expenses and your valuable time.

City Wide Plumbing

If you need help deciding if a tankless system will fit all your hot water needs contact City Wide Plumbing at 480-966-8795. Let our plumbing professionals help with all your water heating system needs, from installation, to maintenance and repair. City Wide Plumbing has been your local Valley plumber for over 30 years. Licensed, bonded and insured, we have all the tools and experience necessary to help you, the Phoenix, AZ homeowner with all of your plumbing needs.

Jul 14

My Water Stinks Like Rotten Eggs!

By City Wide Plumbing hot water, Phoenix Plumbing, plumbing, rotten egg smell No Comments

Does your water smell in your pipes? Or did someone recently make rotten eggs?

Recently we had a call come in that has inspired this blog post. The customer has an issue where in her bathroom, the two sinks smell like rotten eggs when running the hot water. It doesn’t smell when running the cold water and it is only in the bathroom, not in the kitchen sink or other rooms.

Our plumbing technician, without being able to look at the problem at their location, surmises that it’s the magnesium anode going bad in the water heater. He’ll confirm that with a follow up visit.

Replacing your anode rod at regular intervals may increase the life of your water heater, saving you money, time and the inconvenience of having to replace your water heater.

Top 7 reasons to replace your anode rod:

Your hot water starts smelling like “rotten eggs”
You want your water heater to last a long time
It will cost you less to replace the anode rod than your water heater
Water softeners can accelerate anode rod corrosion
The water heater makes loud or multiple popping noises when heating up
Your water heater is more than 5 years old
Your faucet aerators seem to clog more frequently

Call your local City Wide Plumber at 480-966-8795 if you need help diagnosing your smells or you would like more information. Thank you!

May 03

Water heaters replace or not to replace?

By City Wide Plumbing hot water, plumber, plumbing tips, rusted water heater, water heaters No Comments

Plumbing Tip

If your water heater tank is leaking it needs to be replaced. You cannot repair the tank. Please do not try to use duct tape or epoxy to temporarily repair the tank. Call a licensed Arizona plumber to have it replaced immediately and save yourself from thousands of dollars’ worth of flood damage. Also if you notice rust on the bottom and it’s not leaking, yet… you just might want to call a plumber to replace your water heater. Estimated life of a water heater in Arizona is 6 – 8 years for electric and 10 – 12 for gas. Keep in mind there are different factors which could increase or decrease longevity.

Apr 05

Reducing, Reusing and Recycling.

By City Wide Plumbing Gilbert Arizona, hot water, local news, Mesa Arizona, Phoenix Plumbing, plumbing, plumbing tips, Slab Leaks, water heaters No Comments

Here at City Wide Plumbing we do our best to do our part in reducing, reusing, and recycling. We only install energy star rated water heaters, recirculation pumps and use low flow toilets, faucets and fixtures. We also recycle any old and broken material. Not only do our efforts help keep trash out of the land field, it also helps out customers save money.

The following are some additional tips from the EPA’s WaterSense Program.

Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) WaterSense program encourages Americans to check and replace leaky plumbing fixtures and sprinkler systems, helping households save more than 10,000 gallons of water per year and as much as 10 percent on utility bills.

“Easy-to-fix household leaks waste more than 1 trillion gallons of water annually nationwide, which is equal to the amount of water used by more than 11 million homes,” said EPA Acting Administrator for the Office of Water Nancy Stoner. “We’re not just wasting water; families also lose money from leaks with higher utility bills. That’s why Fix a Leak Week is so important, and why we encourage everyone to take a few simple steps that add up to make a significant positive impact.”

In just 10 minutes, businesses and homeowners can:

Check winter water bills and fixtures for water waste;
Twist and tighten pipe and hose connections; and
Consider replacing broken or inefficient fixtures with WaterSense-labeled models.

If winter water usage for a family of four exceeds 12,000 gallons per month, it’s likely that the home has a leak problem. Here are some easy tips:

Check toilets for silent leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring in the tank at the back and, if after 10 minutes, color shows up in the bowl before flushing, it may be time to make an easy repair and replace the flapper.
Check outdoor hoses for damage from winter frost and tighten connections at the water source.
For in-ground sprinkler systems, a professional certified through a WaterSense-labeled program can inspect sprinkler heads and pipes for signs of leakage and help homeowners maintain an efficient system and healthy lawn.
Check additional plumbing and outdoor fixtures for leaks. They may just need a quick twist or pipe tape.Learn more about fixing leaks, find a certified irrigation professional, or search for WaterSense labeled plumbing and irrigation products: http://www.epa.gov/watersense.

Apr 03

Hot Water + 2 DJs = April Fools Joke gone bad

By City Wide Plumbing april fools joke, dihydrogen monoxide, hot water, Phoenix Plumbing No Comments

Did you hear about the April Fools joke gone bad for the two radio DJs?
Two longtime deejays at Gator Country 101.9 who perpetrated a hoax Monday morning involving Lee County water quality have been suspended indefinitely.

Tony Renda, general manager at the Bonita Springs country music station, said he immediately pulled Val St. John and Scott Fish off the air when he heard about the April Fools’ Day joke they had been playing on their 5 to 9 a.m. show. He added that the station has recanted the joke and aired an apology during station breaks.

“Every break we have we’re telling listeners it was a goof, a bad joke,” he said.

Renda said the pair have been doing their show for years and usually do a family friendly April Fools’ joke. “Every year they do a joke,” he said. ”But it’s been a fun joke.”

St. John has been with the station for 16 years and Fish for 10, Renda said, with St. John considered something of a station “institution.”

The radio station’s joke involved that “dihydrogen monoxide” was coming out of county residents’ taps. Renda said that “dihydrogen monoxide” is water. Despite that, he said, “We have a responsibility to our listeners.”

A search on the Internet showed that “dihydrogen monoxide” is a popular hoax term to describe water.

The joke immediately got the attention of Patty DiPiero from Lee County Utilities. She said Lee County residents began calling the utility Monday morning saying they heard on the station that county water was unsafe and should not be used for drinking, showering or for any use.