Unless you plan to boil water every time you need hot water in your home, you need to have a hot water heater. There are a number of water heater types to choose from, but no matter which type you choose, it’s important to have a professional install your unit. DIY shows and instructional videos make installation of just about anything look easy, and there’s a very good reason for this: it’s an expert doing the installation. Technically, yes, you can install your own water heater. The real question is: should you?
DuAll Heating & Cooling Blog : Archive for the ‘Water Heaters’ Category
Can I Install My Own Water Heater?
Monday, June 8th, 2015Is It Time to Replace Your Water Heater?
Monday, April 20th, 2015Many people tend to wait until their water heater totally breaks down before replacing it, but this kind of scenario can leave you without hot water, and if you use a storage tank hot water heater, you could end up with a lot of water all over your floor. It’s better to get ahead of your water heater replacement, but sometimes the signs aren’t all that clear. To help you avoid a messy scenario, the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling have put together a list of the common indications that it may be time to replace your existing water heater in Bolingbrook, IL:
Can a Tankless Unit Replace a Conventional Water Heater?
Thursday, January 15th, 2015Are you considering the replacement of your storage water heater in Romeoville, IL, for a tankless water heater, but have concerns about making the switch? You don’t have to be, but you do need to be aware of a couple of items before doing so. Switching to a tankless water heater can bring your home a number of benefits, but don’t rush the process. One of the best ways to ensure that your tank-to-tankless installation goes successfully is to work with a trained expert. The installation specialists at DuAll Heating & Cooling have years of experience with water heater installation, so give us a call today.
Tank to Tankless: What’s Involved
The first thing to note when switching from tank to tankless is how you’ve been fueling your current water heater: are you using electricity or gas? If you’ve been using electricity, you have to make sure that any changes in the power levels are addressed with your electrical box. For example, if your new tankless system requires more amperage, your electrical box will have to be updated to accommodate the heavier load. Gas tankless units require proper ventilation, so this must be part of the installation process.
Reasons to Consider a Tankless Water Heater
If you are still on the fence about switching to a tankless water heater, here are some factors to consider:
- Take up less space – tankless water heaters are considerably smaller than storage tank water heaters, making them easy to place in a variety of locations.
- Never run out of water – tankless heaters use a heat exchanger to heat water on demand, so you never have to worry about running out of hot water.
- Energy efficient – because tankless water heaters work only when hot water is needed, they can be as much as 30% more energy efficient than tank water heaters.
- Longer lifespan – tankless water heater can last as long as 20 years versus tank water heaters, which last an average of 8-12 years.
If you need water heater replacement in Romeoville, IL, you may want to consider a tankless heater. Have questions? Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling today.
The Benefits of Tankless Water Heater Installation
Thursday, December 11th, 2014Tankless water heaters have become a very popular option for homeowners of the last few years, and for good reasons. However, it’s important to understand how a tankless water heater works in order to see the differences between a traditional water heater and a tankless one. While each type is very capable of providing your home with hot water, a tankless water heater can provide you hot water as you need it, versus having hot water on standby. The process isn’t as complicated as it can sound, as we’ll explain below.
How a Tankless Water Heater Works
There are two types of tankless water heaters:
- Point-of-use – small systems that typically mount underneath sinks, etc., to heat just that one outlet; point-of-use tankless water heaters are fueled by electricity.
- Whole-home – larger systems that heat water for your entire home. These systems usually use gas or propane, but can also use electricity.
No matter which type of tankless water heater you use, the heating process is the same. Tankless water heaters use heat exchangers to heat the water on demand; the heat exchangers reside in the core of the tankless system. When you turn on the hot water tap of a tankless system, the water flow starts the heat exchanger; the heat exchanger generates heat that is then transferred to the flowing water. As the water circulates through the heat exchanger, it absorbs the generated heat, and the hot water starts to flow from your faucets. All tankless systems have a maximum pre-set temperature in order to avoid scalding.
Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
- Tankless water heaters can use up to 40% less energy than a standard tank water heater, which can reduce monthly utility bills.
- Tankless water heaters have a longer life span than tank water heaters (10 to 13 years vs. 20 years).
- Tankless water heaters take up far less space because they do not have a large tank attached to them.
If you are interested in the installation of a tankless water heater in your Plainfield property, take the time to schedule a time with an expert.
DuAll Heating & Cooling has the experts you need to help with any water heater installation, so contact us today and schedule an appointment!
Reasons That Water Heater Replacement is Only a Job for Professionals
Monday, October 27th, 2014A water heater that receives regular maintenance from professionals once a year and has any repair needs that come up attended to promptly can often last for over 20 years. But eventually, the stress of operation and general wear and tear from water and sediment in contact with metal over so many years will cause the heater to reach a point where it is too expensive to operate, or will no longer deliver you the amount of hot water your family needs.
When that happens, you should contact local skilled professionals with experience installing water heaters to replace your old system and put in a new one. DuAll Heating & Cooling has the training and tools to give you a great replacement for your water heater in Naperville, IL. Give us a call today if you’re ready for a fresh start with your water heater.
Yes… you do need professionals for this job
You may have had you water heater long enough that you won’t recall the type of work that went into installing it. Or perhaps you inherited the water heater with the house. Either way, you don’t want to find out how much labor and technical skill is required for this job the hard way: by attempting it yourself.
First, even before a single tool comes out to hook up the water tank to pipes, a water heater needs to be properly sized for a home. It’s important that the water heater can supply 1) a sufficient supply of hot water for your family’s needs, and 2) not waste energy doing it. It will require experienced professionals to determine the right sized heater for your needs, and you do not want to risk making the wrong choice.
When it comes to the actual work, there is a great risk from amateur installation of leaking pipes and poor soldering jobs. One of the most prominent reasons for later repairs on water heaters is shoddy initial installation work. You don’t want to live with a water heater that needs continual repair work and which leaks water everywhere.
It is especially important that you call for professionals if you use a gas-powered water heater, which is the most common type. (And for excellent reasons, and they are very cost-efficient to run.) In most locales, it is illegal to work on any system hooked to a gas main unless you are a licensed professional. You don’t want to take any risks of creating toxic and combustible gas leaks.
Water heater replacement is a simple and fast job when you call on experts like the team at DuAll Heating & Cooling. Water heater replacement is a job we handle often.
Don’t waste time and money on amateur work, and don’t risk you or your family’s health: call DuAll Heating & Cooling when it’s time for a new water heater in Naperville, IL.
Can a Tankless Water Heater Save Me Money?
Monday, September 15th, 2014Environmental consciousness is part of what fueled the invention of tankless water heaters, but some homeowners have other concerns as well. Despite increasing interest in tankless water heaters, traditional storage tank water heaters, which keep water heated in a large tank, continue to be the most popular systems installed in homes. Because of this, many may think that a conventional water heater is the best choice for installation or replacement, but can a tankless unit save some money?
Traditional water heaters contain either an electric heating element or a gas burner which keeps water heated throughout the day. Water flows in through a long dip tube that leads to the bottom of a tank, where the heating element heats the cold water. Hot water is less dense than cold water, so it naturally rises to the top of the tank, where a short tube carries it to the faucet or showerhead when needed. The unit continues to heat water throughout the day, so that it is available for use when a hot water tap is turned on.
As a result, energy is used throughout the day even though you only use the hot water a handful of time, resulting in a good amount of standby energy loss. This problem is eliminated with tankless water heaters, which only heat water as soon as a tap is turned on. Tankless water heaters activate as soon as you need hot water, and water heats up as soon as it flows past the heating element. This means that no energy is used throughout the day, so you won’t have to worry about any money lost with standby energy loss.
In fact, tankless water heaters may have a longer lifespan so long as they are properly maintained. Tankless water heaters may cost more upfront, but most continue to work for over 20 years. Ultimately, the energy savings throughout the years, combined with the fact that you won’t have to replace your unit for a long time, means you can actually save money over time.
Still not convinced? To talk to a professional about tankless water heaters in Bolingbrook, talk to one of the water heater experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling. Give us a call!
Reasons You Need to Schedule Water Heater Maintenance in Naperville
Wednesday, August 20th, 2014One of the modern conveniences in your home that you may take for granted is the water heater. When water reaches your home through the water line, it’s generally cool or room temperature. But we use hot water for many tasks, including showering, cleaning, doing a load of laundry, washing the dishes, and even just washing our hands, so most homeowners would be lost without this home necessity.
Water heaters are designed to last many years, so many homeowners don’t run into problems with their units for a long time. But when a repair need does occur, you may be without hot water in the middle of an important task like cleaning or bathing. Don’t wait until this happens. Water heater maintenance can help prevent sudden unit failure and give you peace of mind. Here are some of the reasons homeowners in Naperville may choose to schedule water heater maintenance with a professional technician.
Increased Efficiency and Fewer Repair Needs
If you have a leak in your water heater or a problem with the mechanism that heats the water, you may be spending too much on utilities. However, some homeowners don’t notice these problems until it is too late. If you schedule water heater maintenance, a technician can catch repair needs early on to keep your unit running smoothly.
Peace of Mind
You may choose to schedule water heater maintenance if you have an older unit that just doesn’t quite seem to heat as well as it once did. If you feel that your water heater may be past its prime, maintenance is a good opportunity to get sound advice from a technician about whether you can keep your unit for a little longer or if replacement may be the best choice.
Don’t trust the condition of your water heater to just any service company. Maintenance and repairs should always be left to professionals with years of experience repairing electric, gas, and tankless water heaters. Our dependable technicians provide repair services and informed advice about your older unit. Call us today!
When you decide to schedule your next water heater maintenance in Naperville, contact the expert team at DuAll Heating & Cooling.
Replace vs. Repair Your Water Heater
Thursday, April 24th, 2014No home appliance lasts forever, and with any one of them you will eventually face the question of whether you should continue with repairs to keep the device running, or invest in a replacement.
A storage water heater lasts, on average, between 10 to 15 years. (Tankless systems tend to last longer.) The longevity depends on the model, the quality of water from the municipal source, the regularity of maintenance and repairs, and other factors. The manufacturer of the water heater in your home should have listed an estimated lifespan for the system on the tank. But even with this guideline, it often isn’t easy to tell when you should repair or replace. We’ll help focus your decision when it comes to the “repair vs. replace” debate. However, you should still seek a professional opinion before you make the choice. For a water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, call the experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling for advice, repairs, and installation.
Repair?
If your water heater is still under the estimated lifespan by a few years, and especially if it is still under the manufacturer’s warranty or an extended warranty from the installer, you should look into repairs first when the system shows signs of malfunctions. If you have kept up with annual routine maintenance, the system should still be in good enough health that a targeted repair from a professional will restore the system and keep it moving toward its estimated lifespan. (And don’t delay with any repairs; prompt action is the key to a long lifespan.)
Replace?
If a water heater is 15 years or older, you should already be thinking of replacing it even before a malfunction occurs… but a malfunction should serve as the final warning flag. If a water heater is close to the end of its estimated lifespan, pay special attention to problems like less available hot water or rusty-colored water coming from the taps. Rust inside the tank is usually a strong sign the system is close to a complete and final failure.
If you do choose to replace the water heater, you may want to consider going with a tankless model. These systems have greater longevity and energy efficiency, and they do not run out of hot water. Ask your installer about this option to see if it fits your home.
DuAll Heating & Cooling is ready with repairs for your water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, or with advice for new installation—whichever ends up the case we’ll help you make the right choice.
Common Water Heater Repair Issues
Wednesday, March 12th, 2014The job that a water heater does on a daily basis is easy to take for granted. Today we think of running hot water much the same way that we think about electricity: always there when we need it, with only a single hand motion.
And then suddenly…it’s not. Just as blown fuses or a power outage can deny you electrical power, so can a failed water heater take away the warmth you require to shower, clean, and cook. You need to make certain that your water heater receives regular maintenance and the necessary repairs that will keep it working. When you need fast water heater services in Bolingbrook, IL, call DuAll Heating & Cooling. We have emergency service available.
Some Common Water Heater Repair Needs We See:
- Rusted-through anode rod: Have you ever wondered why your water heater doesn’t rust even though it contains water in contact with metal? It’s because of a small device called the anode rod (also the “sacrificial rod”) at the top of the water tank. This rod is designed to rust in place of the water tank, attracting oxidation to it and away from the metal of the tank. However, if the rod rusts completely, then rust can enter the heater and damage it. At the first sign of corrosion, call for repairs. Make sure that you have annual maintenance to catch when the anode rod needs replacement.
- Excess sediment in the tank: Over time, sediment—any particle that doesn’t dissolve in water—will start to gather at the bottom of the heater’s tank. This can include any number of impurities that might enter the municipal water system: sand, grit, calcites, magnesium. Sediment at the bottom of the tank can block valves and lead to overheating inside the tank. Professionals can flush out the system to remove sediment. (They do this during regular maintenance, yet another reason to schedule it every year.)
- Failed burner/heating elements: If you have a gas-powered water heater, a failed pilot light or dirt along the burner that prevents the jets from coming on will result in a drop in heating power, and possibly cut off all hot water entirely. For an electric-powered water heater, the heating elements inside the tank can fail and cause a drop in the water temperature. A professional will need to replace the broken elements.
When you call a professional HVAC service to help repair your water heater in Bolingbrook, IL, you’ll find out just what the problem is and what steps the technician needs to take to fix it. In some cases, the technician may advise you replace the older heater with a new one.
Call DuAll Heating & Cooling for an honest and accurate assessment of the problems with your water heater.
Why Should I Flush Out My Water Heater?
Friday, February 28th, 2014Running hot water is one of the greatest home conveniences ever invented (after indoor plumbing, of course, which was the first step toward running hot water). But your supply of cleansing hot water depends on the steady operation of your home’s hot water heater, and like any mechanical system, it can sometimes develop faults or even shut down.
Flushing the tank of a hot water heater is an important step in maintaining the system and keeping it healthy so you always have hot water ready for you. Flushing is done to remove sediment that can begin to develop at the bottom of the heater’s tank. This task can be done as part of annual routine maintenance, or performed when a specific problem has started to threaten the water heater’s operation.
Whether you need flushing for maintenance or water heater repair in Plainfield, IL, you should have professionals take care of this job. Contact DuAll Heating & Cooling for water heater flushing or any other problems with your system.
Why Flushing The Water Heater is Beneficial
Sediment build-up inside a water heater tank can cause a number of problems that will lead to repair needs—or even a full replacement. The sediment will often prevent the drain valve from working, and this will cause the system to run inefficiently, draining power while providing substandard heat.
The sediment that develops in your tank often comes from impurities inside the water, such as the minerals found in hard water. When these minerals begin to gather inside the tank, they can cause the water to become discolored and promote the development of rust inside the tank. Flushing will not only eliminate short-term problems with sediment, but it will help prolong the system’s life.
As the sediment level increases, the available volume for the water in the tank will decrease. When this happens, the tank will start to overheat and increase the water pressure throughout the system, a frequent cause of leaks.
Take Care of All Your Water Heater’s Needs
Flushing out a water heater is only one of the ways to help your system have a longer service life with fewer repairs. Our staff at DuAll Heating & Cooling has the training, equipment, and experience to perform any of the work you need to repair a malfunctioning water heater. We also offer regular maintenance, one of the best ways to keep away the need for water heater repair in Plainfield, IL. Call us today and trust our NATE-certified technicians to handle the job.
