Calgary Plumbing: How to Replace a Faucet Washer – Part 1

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Calgary Plumbing: How to Replace a Faucet Washer – Part 1

In this series of four articles I will take you through the process of replacing an old bath tub faucet with a new one. The whole process normally takes about 45 minutes and can be performed even by a basic level plumber.

If you witness a conventional washer-based faucet dripping rather than shutting off entirely, it is a signal that the washer needs replacement and is worn out. Through this article you will learn how to repair a bath tub faucet. However, the similar procedure will also be applicable in most of the other types of lavatory, kitchen and utility faucets that are washer-based.

The bath tub faucet that you see in the picture used to drip a little earlier, but it would happen only on its hot side. The faucet had been around for a long time now and was in fact built and installed many decades ago.

My first step in this case was to locate a valve for shutting off the hot water supply in the basement. The water heater featured valves on both hot as well as cold lines. However, we needed to shut off only one of them.

But, in this case I found a ball valve close to the well tank (the ball valve only needs around 1/4th turn to shut off the water supply). Hence, I shut off this valve instead. By doing so, I was successfully able to turn off the water supply to the whole house.
I opted for this procedure as I was aware that manipulating this kind of valve always results in stopping the water flow completely. It is gate valves that you see on the water heater that often witness mineral deposit build ups, preventing the sealing of washer against the seat.

I opened up the faucet in order to release the water pressure. On occasions, it is also helpful to open up a valve that can be located at a lower level, for example in the basement.

Plumbing to fix issues in case of multi-story homes can often be a very problematic affair owing to the fact that it first requires draining out of the water contained in pipes upstairs. This may need opening up of the faucets situated at the highest level as well as the lowest level, in order to allow the flow of air inside into the system.

Please keep in mind that it is important to shut-off both the cold and hot water supply lines during any sort of repair job carried out on single handle faucets.

I had to first get rid of the little cap located at the handle’s center prior to removing the faucet handle. I first made an unsuccessful attempt at prying off the cap with the help of a small screwdriver.

Thereafter, I went on to make use of channel lock pliers for loosening up that small cap.

This particular cap is normally threaded into a small hole located at the handle’s center.

I employed a flat blade screwdriver for removal of the screw which had so far been keeping the handle connected to the valve stem.

I was able to pull off the handle comfortably with a strong tug.

More to come in the next part of this series!

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Plumbing: How to Replace a Faucet Washer – Part 1

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Calgary Plumbing: How to Install a New Toilet in 12 Easy Steps – Part 2

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Calgary Plumbing: How to Install a New Toilet in 12 Easy Steps – Part 2

Continuing from the last part of this article, let’s move on to the 5th step.

  • For the installation of the toilet tank, push the two 5/16 by 3 inches mounting bolts into and through the tiny holes which can be located at the bottom of the tank. Make sure that you properly place the rubber washers underneath the bolt heads (on the tank’s inside) for creation of a watertight seal. Now, add washers and nuts to these bolts located on the tank’s underside and tighten them up properly until they are snug.
  • It is time for application of the sponge rubber gasket (having its small side down in case it is beveled) onto the discharge tube, the place where tank will set on to the bowl.
  • Now, set the tank properly onto the bowl by threading the bolts provided, into the bolt holes (existing in the bowl) and thereafter sandwiching the gasket in between the bowl and the tank.
  • Add nuts and metal washers to the bolts extending downwards from the bowl’s bottom. Hold onto the tank level properly and tighten up. It may be a good idea to hold every bolt stationary with the help of a screwdriver, from inside the tank, at the same time making use of a crescent wrench to back up the nut on the bowl’s outside.
  • Carry out the installation of the new toilet flush handle by screwing it properly on to the lift arm, right through the handle hole provided in the tank. Please note that the toilet handles are normally threaded in reverse. The flapper/flushing ball chain inside the tank must now be connected to the lift arm.
  • In this step, bolt the lid of the new toilet on to the bowl.
  • The step above must be followed by installation of a fresh water line from inside the floor fixture or the wall in order to feed the valve located on the tank’s underside. After this is done, turn the water on and check if there are any leaks. Feel free to give the newly installed toilet 2 to 3 trial flushes. In case you observe that the toilet is holding the water, tighten up the bolts which are holding the bowl onto the floor. In case you still witness any instability in between the bowl and the tank, or floor and the bowl, make use of some hard rubber shims that can be easily purchased from the closest hardware store for adjusting such minor spacing problems and making sure that the whole installation works smoothly.
  • After everything has been adjusted properly and is in place, make sure that you cut the protruding ends of the bowl mounting bolts in order to accommodate and fix the plastic bolt caps. It is advisable to caulk the bowl’s base for creation of a waterproof seal, thereby providing additional stability and protecting the floor as well. Put the tank cover on and you are all set to use your newly installed toilet!

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Plumbing: How to Install a New Toilet in 12 Easy Steps – Part 2

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Calgary Plumbing: How to Install a New Toilet in 12 Easy Steps – Part 1

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Calgary Plumbing: How to Install a New Toilet in 12 Easy Steps – Part 1

In this series of two articles, I will take you through the process of carrying out the installation of a new toilet in 12 easy steps.

In case your water closet or toilet is quite old or requires immediate repair, it may be a better option to install a fresh one instead. The cost of a new one will be cheaper in comparison to patching up the present one, especially if the job is carried out by yourself on your own. Actually, installation of a new toilet is a very simple plumbing procedure which can be completed in a matter of few steps. To carry out the test installation, you will require two 5/16 inch bolts for mounting the ball onto the floor flange and a brand-new toilet gasket. However, most of the essential parts will come included in or complimentary with the new toilet set.

Before proceeding with the removal of the old toilet, it is important that you completely flush the toilet out and shut-off the supply of water to the tank. Take help of a cloth or a bucket to get rid of any remaining water inside the bowl and tank. Now, take a small pipe wrench or a pair of pliers for removal of the nut which connects the ball cock valve at the bottom to the water line. It can be located at the left side of tank.

Make use of small crescent wrench for removing the two nuts which connect the bowl with the floor flange. After the nuts have been removed successfully, lift up and take out the old toilet.

Now, follow the steps detailed below:

  • The flange which has just been exposed will be the mounting base for the installation of your new toilet. Get rid of all the old bolts.
  • To start with, place the two fresh 5/16 inch bolts into the holes you can see located on the exposed flange’s sides. Make sure that the bolt heads go properly inside, into the flange. Now, position the bolts in a manner that they are across from each other and are straight up. Thereafter, put the fresh wax ring or toilet gasket onto the flange, with its flat side pointing in the upward direction, if tapered.
  • Gently lower down the new bowl in a straight manner, trying to center it properly onto the wax ring and ensuring that both bolts successfully come through the holes located on both sides of the bowl. Apply gentle pressure downwards, as straight as possible while pushing the bowl onto the flange and ring, while squeezing the wax at the same time to create a proper seal and to mount the bowl flush onto the floor.
  • At this point, add nuts and washers to the bolts that are protruding out, followed by their tightening until they are snug. However, exercise caution here as over tightening can result in cracking up the bowl.

Look out for the next part to learn the complete process!

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Plumbing: How to Install a New Toilet in 12 Easy Steps – Part 1

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Calgary Heating: What is Thermal Bridging?

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Calgary Heating: What is Thermal Bridging?

If you have a DIY project to do involving the insulation in your home, then there is more to know than simply which kind of insulation to use! Thermal bridging is a term which will come up as you learn how to install insulation and though the term sounds very scientific and slightly cryptic, it’s actually a fairly simple, if important, thing to know.

Have you ever seen ceilings (usually very pale ceilings), with darker bands across them? These are places where dust and dirt have been brought and collected by cold air coming into the building. They are also places where the insulation does not meet, so these areas are effectively not insulated. This causes heat loss and rising energy bills. Many homes, particularly older ones or ones which were poorly worked on, also have this problem, though it may not be visible.

Thermal bridging refers to this problem in insulation; it’s a place where the insulation material does not meet the material in the home. This allows heat to move through areas where it can move more easily, such as through wood and metal. They are most common in places around the windows and door, facings, roofs, floors, and cross walls. Thermal bridging causes the most problems in a home that is well insulated save for the thermal bridges because cold air is driven through these cracks. In homes that aren’t well insulated, thermal bridges are largely swallowed by other problems.

Fixing thermal bridging is somewhat time consuming affair. You may have to replace your windows with better insulated windows and insulate your attic (or insulate it better) since these are places where the worst offenders for thermal bridging lie. If you have the time and patience, you can add more insulation to your floors and walls too, though keep in mind that this will send the time and money on the project skyrocketing up. If you can do nothing else, insulate your attic as this will greatly reduce heat loss.

Thermal bridging is a fairly common problem for homes since many people don’t insulate the walls properly or have lots of windows and doors that are hard to work around. But you don’t have to put up with the high cost of heating as long as you are smart about fixing your insulation and replacing old windows with more energy efficient windows. It will take some money and effort, but you can save a great deal on your heating bills if you do this job this spring or summer when you won’t need your heating anyway!

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is here to help Calgary residents with their heating and plumbing needs. 24/7 emergency repairs available, as well as servicing, maintenance and general advice. You can contact us at…

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Heating: What is Thermal Bridging?

To see any of our other services, you can go to http://www.clearviewplumbing.ca.

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Calgary Heating & Air Conditioning: Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without the A/C

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Calgary Heating & Air Conditioning: Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without the A/C

Hey everyone, Kyle here and as I ran basic checks on my air conditioning unit and made sure it would be in good working order come summer, it occurred to me that there are other ways to cool your home aside from cranking the A/C. We don’t often think about it because many people have air conditioners of some sort, but by utilizing even a few of these tricks, you may be able to cut down on your power bill and you won’t have to rely on your air conditioner. These things may not keep your home at polar temperatures, but they are good ways to save on your bills.

Aluminum Foil

You may have seen this on windows of other homes and wondered why the heck people have hung aluminum foil in place of curtains! Aluminum foil is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to cool your home. The foil is able to reflect sunlight away from the house and keep your home cooler. It may look silly and some neighbours may be suspicious, but at a couple of dollars a roll, it’s a lot cheaper than things like window tinting and awnings. (Of course, these things work too).

Water Power

There are lots of ways to utilize water to help keep your home cooler. First, try ‘watering’ your terrace (assuming you have one). If you use old sacks and towels, water them in the morning and place them outside around your doors and windows. Then water them throughout the day. The air moving over the water and into your home will be cooler. You can also place a block of ice in front of windows with inbound breezes to get the same effect or ice in front of your fans. Even dampening your curtains and bed spreads later in the day can help cool you down.

Ceiling Fans

Use those pretty ceiling fans! Ceiling fans can help to stir up the air and make cooler spots in rooms with the highest level of use such as the living room or kitchen.

Light Colors

Painting your home and roof a pale color can really help to beat the heat. Light colors bounce sunlight so that the heat doesn’t reach you. It works best if you have a flat roof, but even if you don’t, you can still reap the benefits of a pale home to help you deal with high summer temperatures.

Greenery

Planting nice hedges and even trees around your home is not only a way to make your home look nicer, but all that greenery provides shade which makes your home a lot cooler in the summer. Having a splash of greenery inside can help too as the plants will put moisture in the air and make you feel a little cooler. If you’re planting things for the first time, concentrate on shading windows facing east and west as a priority and work your way around.

Obviously the air conditioner will help too! But all of these things can help you to cut down on your energy bill and make your home more pleasant without all of the air conditioner noise and dehydrating effects. When the temperature climbs here in Calgary, every little thing helps.

Clearview Plumbing and Heating works to help people in Calgary get better heating and plumbing servicing. We provide maintenance, repair, and even 24/7 emergency repairs. You can contact us at…

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Heating & Air Conditioning: Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without the A/C

To see any of our other services, you can go to http://www.clearviewplumbing.ca.

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Calgary Plumbing: When are Storage Tanks Better than Tankless Water Heaters?

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Calgary Plumbing: When are Storage Tanks Better than Tankless Water Heaters?

If it’s time to replace your water heater, you have a couple of choices: storage or tankless? There is a lot of contradictory information flying around about both systems so it’s a good idea to do some careful research before you make this decision. A big part of your decision will be based on your circumstances and in some cases, a storage water heater tank will be better than a tankless. When and why is this the case?

You Don’t Have a Huge Wad of Cash

Tankless water heaters do heat up water faster than storage tanks because the water is ran through a high powered burner at the time of use instead of being stored and continually reheated. However, the tankless water heater costs a lot more (double to almost triple more) than the standard heater, both in terms of purchasing the machine and in terms of installation. Furthermore, many tankless water heaters need upgraded pipes, new outlets and larger vents. Taken all together, it’s a very expensive piece of tech and it can take over twenty years to recoup the cost in energy savings, assuming the machine lasts that long. If you don’t have a ton of money to spend, a storage tank water heater is far more affordable with lower initial costs and lower installation, plus you probably won’t need to replace anything in particular.

You Aren’t Very Patient

Manufacturers of tankless water heaters claim that their products run continual supplies of hot water for as long as you need it, but logic will point out that this isn’t precisely true. Cool water remains in the pipes and has to be drained out so it will head for your open faucet. The new water has to be heated up and that takes a moment or two. And if you only need a little hot water, you’re better off heating it on the stove because the sensor won’t even notice that you asked for the water, meaning that the burner won’t turn on. Now, it won’t be much of a wait, but it’s hardly instant. And then if you have a power outage, unless your tankless system is run by gas, you won’t get any hot water at all! Storage tanks also take a moment to send along hot water, but at least they work in a bad storm in the dark.

You Don’t Want a Lot of Extra Maintenance

Tankless water heaters require a little more pampering than their storage counterparts. In particular, calcium builds up in tankless models and so you need extra valves to get rid of the problem. Furthermore, only a qualified technician can properly fit and flush these heaters using vinegar. You must get this servicing at least once a year. Finally, at least here in Calgary where our water is hard, installing a water softener is a very good idea. All of these costs add up while the storage tank heater quietly does its thing and can sometimes be ignored for years! (It’s not advisable to do this by the way, but the storage water heater is fairly self-sufficient). If you’re bad for ignoring your appliances, the storage tank is definitely the way to go.

It would be far too easy at this point to write off tankless water heaters as too inconvenient, but there are times when they work fine: if you have the money and time for them and a smaller area to send hot water too (not to mention the fact that you need to be careful with your space and prefer a small heater), then the tankless system will work just fine for you. If you take nothing else away from this article, please pay close attention to your circumstances while you are shopping around for a new water heater.

If you’d like more information about water heaters, feel free to contact Clearview Plumbing and Heating at…

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Plumbing: When are Storage Tanks Better than Tankless Water Heaters?

To see any of our other services, you can go to http://www.clearviewplumbing.ca.

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Calgary Air Conditioning: The Importance of an Air Conditioner Tune-Up

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Calgary Air Conditioning: The Importance of an Air Conditioner Tune-Up

Summer is just around the corner here in Calgary (sort of) and the hot weather can really sneak up on you! Air conditioners are a really fantastic appliance in this case, but they require some TLC in order to keep working for as long as possible. So, before the heat waves hit, it’s important to get your air conditioner a good tune up.

There are a few very good reasons for a tune up for your air conditioner. Air conditioners without much care only last around ten years. With regularly tune ups, you can bring that lifespan up to fifteen to twenty years; double the lifespan of an unattended air conditioner! That means getting more value for your money and you won’t have to worry about replacing your unit any time soon.

Another benefit of a tune up is that you can catch little problems like small leaks or a damaged coil before they become a huge expensive problem. Furthermore, doing things like replacing your air conditioning filter can save you a ton of money on your electrical bills, so the money you spend on small repairs is paid back in spades later.

Finally, make sure you do your tune-up soon, before the hot weather hits. Not only is this peace of mind for when you turn on your air conditioner and have it work properly the first time, but you can also get good deals on your maintenance by getting in ahead of the crowd.

So, before the summer heat hits, make sure to get a proper tune-up of your air conditioning system done! It only takes a short period of time and a small expense, but it pays back double in just about every way.

Clearview Plumbing and Heating can help you with all of your air and water needs. You can contact us at… even for 24/7 emergency services.

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Air Conditioning: The Importance of an Air Conditioner Tune Up

To see any of our other services, you can go to http://www.clearviewplumbing.ca.

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Calgary Plumbing: About Water Softeners in Calgary

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Calgary Plumbing: About Water Softeners in Calgary

Don’t get me wrong folks; I enjoy living in Calgary! But there are a few things which people just need to have in order to remain comfortable and one of those is a water softener. With that in mind, we’re going to take a closer look at these appliances so you know what to expect, a bit of repair work, and why these things are so important! A quick answer would be to make your water taste less disgusting and stop leaving white streaks on your clothing and pans! A long answer… Well, that will be in the telling, won’t it?

A water softener is an appliance which removes the minerals from the water that goes through it. It does this by flowing water through sodium ions that displace the magnesium and calcium ions. The appliance then refills its sodium levels form a salt storage tank so that you have continual water softening. It’s pretty simple, but then the best things always are. Softened water tastes better and is cleaner, plus it won’t clog up water pipes nor cause corrosion. This is all pretty important in Calgary where much of our water is pretty hard.

Since water softeners are fairly simple, they don’t usually need many repairs. The main thing to keep in mind will be to replenish your sodium tank regularly and to clear out the tank every so often to remove the calcium and magnesium build-up. If your softener does break down, it’s a good idea to try and figure out what went wrong before calling a technician; that way you may be able to get a free diagnosis and of course the problem will be solved much more smoothly.

There are three main problem areas to check before you do anything else:

  • • The water softener motor. It could be something as silly as having the power connection lost or it could be something more serious. You can call for a repair professional from a company or for emergency plumbers on the weekend.
  • • The filter for the minerals isn’t working so the minerals aren’t being removed. There may also be a plumbing leak so that the water isn’t flowing properly.
  • • The salt beads may not be being refreshed fast enough or the line may be damaged in some way. Check the manual and make sure that the equipment is set to the factory levels.

Some repair work can be done solo if you’re so inclined. For these repairs, you will need a hose, wrench, small brush, small wire, shop vac, a syringe and a bucket to catch the water. For the most part, you can do things like tighten and alter piping and lines, clean out and replace filters and sodium beads and check on the motor. If you feel too overwhelmed though, there is no shame in calling for assistance and having the work done by a professional.

If your water softener conks out on you and you don’t know what to do, feel free to contact Clearview Plumbing and Heating at… We’ll help you get your soft water again!

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Plumbing: About Water Softeners in Calgary

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Calgary Heating: Prevent Carbon Monoxide From Taking your Home

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Calgary Heating: Prevent Carbon Monoxide From Taking your Home

… And possibly your life.

Kyle here and while much of what we look at is practical repairs and things you should do, even the worst heating and plumbing problem so far isn’t fatal to your body, just possibly to your wallet. However, there is one very severe danger which can crop up in homes, particularly those with gas furnaces: carbon monoxide.

Carbon monoxide is a chemical compound which is written like this: CO. It is made up of one carbon atom and one oxygen atom. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of burning gas; it’s the stuff that stinks near the exhaust pipes of cars and is the reason why cracked gas pipes must be replaced right away. The reason for this is simple: carbon monoxide is a poison which can swiftly suffocate living beings. It does this by stealing oxygen atoms from the air to form carbon dioxide which then kills living creatures since we can’t breathe it in! Carbon monoxide poisoning can also result in damaged lungs, difficulty breathing, headaches, nausea, fainting and difficulty nursing in infants as well as other severe health problems, when it doesn’t kill someone outright.
There are ways to prevent carbon monoxide from building up in your home, so long as you are sensible and take the time to do them:
• Use Outdoor Equipment OUTSIDE! It should go without saying that BBQs, lawnmowers and snowblowers should stay outside, but it’s always worth saying again. These things produce a lot of carbon monoxide and while it hardly matters out in the open air, it can quickly build up in a closed system like a house.

• Make sure to clear any chimneys and vents of blockages such as ice.

• If you’re purchasing a new gas furnace or making any changes to your home’s ventilation systems, make sure that you talk to a plumbing and heating technician to ensure that these changes are done safely. And make sure that anything newly installed has good venting and that the heat exchanges are not cracked or damaged.

• Inspect and maintain your vents, chimneys and furnaces regularly.

• Make sure you fully open your garage door before starting the engine of your vehicle. (again, duh, but hey, why not say it again?)

• Keep you and your family well informed of carbon monoxide poisoning and get a good CO detector to warn you if there is a leak before people fall ill.

Know who to call if there is a leak and have a good back-up plan in case you have to leave the house. Remember that if you detect CO, getting out as fast as you can is a good idea, but you don’t have to race out; just don’t stay there any longer than you absolutely need to.

It’s estimated that Carbon monoxide poisoning accounts for about 200 deaths a year in America and about 40,000 people go to the hospital with symptoms. This isn’t accurate though since many cases of carbon monoxide poisoning go undiagnosed and untreated, so it’s difficult to say how many people are actually poisoned every year.

Don’t become one of these numbers! Take care of your ventilation systems, get a carbon monoxide detector and stay informed about the dangers of carbon monoxide. It could save your life or the life of someone you love some day.

For more information about proper heating and ventilation, feel free to contact Clearview Plumbing and Heating at

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Heating: Prevent Carbon Monoxide From Taking your Home

To see any of our other services, you can go to http://www.clearviewplumbing.ca.

Click here for our Calgary Furnace $99 tune up special – please note that this offer is subject to change any time.

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Calgary Plumbing: Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth the Hype?

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Calgary Plumbing: Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth the Hype?

Hello everyone, Kyle here and today we’re going to take a hard look at tankless water heaters. Yeah, we’ve discussed them before and yes, I think they are a pretty cool invention in some cases, but this article will go deep in depth in looking at the good, the bad and yes, the ugly of tankless water heaters to answer an age old question: are they worth it?

While tankless water heaters are great for saving energy because of the lack of a storage tank, there are still some negative things associated with them. Certainly they provide hot water in an instant, but there are some other important things to consider before you purchase one for your home.

The Need for a Tankless Water Heater

Customers generally want three things from their hot water: the hot water better last throughout the duration of a shower, one shouldn’t have to wait for the water to heat up and the water heating costs shouldn’t be through the roof! Simple things, but most standard water heaters fall short at least a few times on one or all of these points. The tankless water heater promises to get rid of these problems by doing away with the tank and instead heating water on demand. This cuts down on water heating costs, creates a way for hot water to always be available and hot water doesn’t run out in the middle of an operation!

Hyped to the Point of Risks…

We know full well that the goal for any salesperson is to sell and the tankless water heater is no exception. These people sell water heaters to customers using a three pronged approach (the validity of each will be examined in greater detail in just a moment):

Electric bills will be cut down and the machine is ‘green’

Tankless water heaters can provide hot water ‘on demand’

They are cool and modern

Upon these three things rests most of the sales pitch and many people buy into them. The salespeople create a huge hype around their product until people feel as though they must purchase one in order to remain up to date.

However, the risk is also great, mainly lying with the company. Many companies up and disappear, leaving customers in trouble should their water heater break down. Replacement parts are nowhere to be seen, warranties are nulled and no extended service is offered. Water heater companies by and large have a reputation for fast talking customers into buying something and then vanishing without a trace later on or tying up customers in so much red tape that they might as well not be there at all!

As tempting as it would be to sue many of these companies, customers are by and large stymied by the fine print which basically puts out the fact that service is limited (and pricey), and that there is no actual guarantee of reduced energy bills. The result? A product and company which does not live up to the promise.

Comparison Criteria is Misleading

Companies love to compare their products to other products in order to make their products shine out. It’s a common marketing scheme. However, most comparisons are based on incorrect data or the results are skewed to make a company look better. In the case of tankless water heater manufacturers, several comparisons are misleading or ‘off’. Here’s a look at the common comparisons and how they should be corrected!

Tank Heaters Only have about 1 Inch of insulation!

No. Well, yes. Well, it depends! Customers can ask for and receive tank heaters with double or triple the standard insulation and that of course saves on insulation.

EPA Mileage Ratings

The mileage ratings are usually wildly different from real world usage and as a result, the factors and tests may be wrong.

Increased Water Temperature Numbers

A favourite line to throw out is that water is heated to 35 degrees higher than needed. This is wrong though because it depends wildly on what kind of heater you have.

You should always take comparisons with a grain of salt because the company comparing their products to others are obviously going to have a bias!

It’s Very Expensive

Tankless water heaters are very expensive, often costing several times more than the standard water heater. But the energy required to heat X amount of water to Y degrees will always be the same. This means that you are paying the same amount in energy costs no matter which system you use. The only difference is that most tankless water heaters can only heat about forty gallons of water at a time before, yes, you’ll have to wait a bit for more water to come in!

All aspects of the tankless water heater are expensive. The initial heater costs at least six to seven hundred dollars more than the conventional heater and then installation costs even more. Furthermore, repairs are expensive because the machine is more fiddly and you will need bigger gas lines and larger vents which will require a bit of work on your home. All in all, that is one hefty price tag for a product which may or may not last long enough to let you reap any energy savings in the first place!

Are there any savings to be had? Sure, if you find a reputable merchant of water heater tankless system who stands by their work, offers servicing and a good warranty and delivers a good product. Tankless water heaters don’t lose as much heat as their tank cousins which means that you can save a bit of money. But it’ll take a while for those bits to add up and make up for the initial costs!

The Flexible Tank Heater

For something that is big and bulk, the traditional tank heater does have some flexibility and that’s worth considering for your specific needs. So let’s take a look:

Tank water heaters can provide hot water for a shower AND the sink with multitasking. Tankless water heaters, not so much.

Tankless water heaters have a hard time with small volumes of water. You have to pay attention to the flow of water and heating time to get things perfect and get the efficiency which heatless tanks claim.

Storage tanks uniformly heat your water and tankless heaters don’t. This means you could end up getting hot water that in the pipes from sometime earlier, than hot and cold cycles with temperature fluctuations as the water moves around the burner and up the pipes. So much for even heating!

While some of these problems can be avoided using a small storage tank, you might as well go all the way and get a real storage water heater and save all your money and hassle.

Is There Really Instantaneous Hot Water?

The big benefit of tankless water heaters is the claim that you will get hot water on demand, but this isn’t entirely true. Think about it: When you turn your faucet, the flow sensor has to start, fans have to turn on and the burner has to go on. The water has to be heated before it comes out of your tap and that takes a few seconds, just like a tank water heater. What they really mean by instant hot water is that your hot water wasn’t in a tank before you turned on the faucet.

Are Tankless Water Heaters Reliable?

It’s easy to say ‘no’ at this point and get even more discouraged. The truth is, that like any complicated apparatus, tankless water heaters are not as reliable as the old fashioned tanks. Here’s why:

Tankless water heaters are complicated; they have a lot of bits which can break down at any time. They function like mini-boilers and as a result can be damaged by things like sediments all to easily.

If it’s cold outside, you have to completely drain the water out or else frozen water inside could damage the tank.

Hard water destroys the efficiency of these tanks. Interiors become covered in lime and sediment and the whole apparatus slows down. Standard water heaters allow the sediment to settle to the bottom where they can be flushed out.

Tankless water heaters need a lot of inspecting and if you ignore this, your warranty may be voided. These technicians aren’t cheap either, so no matter what, you’re paying through the nose.

If you forget about switching your heater off or you don’t think much about maintenance, you’re better off with tank heaters which are sturdy and take care of themselves just fine.

Now again, if you find a reputable merchant with solid tankless water heaters, you won’t have to worry as much about these problems, but they are still more likely to crop up than tank water heaters and repairs are far more costly.

Are Tankless Water Heaters Really Energy Efficient?

Heaters are general are not a very efficient appliance. The piping and vents leaks a lot of heat and some tanks are just poorly insulated. The only way to really save energy would be if you had no piping, but then you’d have to have your water heater beside every faucet and shower and that’s not likely to happen! In all honestly, a well insulated water tank would lose the same amount of heat as a tankless water heater, assuming they are both relatively good or both very poor in quality so you have accurate grounds to compare. Both systems use vents which also lose heat and tankless water heaters have larger vents to lose even more heat from. This is not to say that by nature tankless water heaters are NOT efficient, just that they are no more efficient than a good tank water heater.

There are two ways to save energy with tankless water heaters:

Insulate the piping. (this works on tank heaters too though)

Go electrical. For the most part, electric tankless water heaters save a bit more energy than gas, assuming that electrical bills in your state don’t cost more than gas.

Warranties

We are focusing on tankless water heaters in this article, but the following information on warranties is valid with EVERYTHING! So please keep this advice in mind when purchasing any appliances or electrical gadgets or anything really.

Warranties by tankless heaters are worth reading because they are full of potential loopholes for the sake of the company and are fairly long winded. For example, you have to have your tankless water heater regularly inspected in order to preserve the warranty and there is a long list of things you cannot do to your tankless water heater (such as fix it yourself!) or you void the warranty. Now if you don’t care about that, fiddle away, but most people depend on their warranty.

The fact that these warranties are so extensive should give you pause for thought. Warranties for things which are reliable and last years are not nearly as complex as warranties for things which can die easily. Guess which camp tankless water heaters fall into? The latter one of course! Part of this is just because the technology is still new enough the companies are paranoid, but that means it may be too new for your home and peace of mind.

In Conclusion…I’m NEVER BUYING A TANKLESS WATER HEATER!

The point of this article wasn’t to scare you away from tankless water heaters. In the right circumstances, they are a nifty piece of work. If you don’t need a ton of water for example or if you live in tight spaces and you want to save on room, tankless water heaters can be a great way to keep the hot water going. The point of this article was to make you think hard about what the manufacturers are claiming and not take it as Holy Writ. By thinking critically about any purchases, including tankless water heaters, you can ensure that the products you buy will work for your home and make your life better and easier. Ask thoughtful questions of anyone trying to sell you this technology and make sure you fully understand what you’re getting into before you buy and that way you’ll be happy with your purchase.

If you have any questions about tankless water heaters or water heaters in general, feel free to contact us at Clearview Plumbing and Heating at…

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is a Calgary Plumbing and Heating company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada which is available round the clock to carry out any type of Calgary Plumbing or Heating job.

You can reach us any time at 403-538-6892.

If you need to schedule an appointment, you can click here or click on the button below.

sched Calgary Plumbing: Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth the Hype?

To see any of our other services, you can go to http://www.clearviewplumbing.ca.

Click here for our Calgary Furnace $99 tune up special – please note that this offer is subject to change any time.

Click here for a list of our different Plumbing and Heating specials – Please note that these specials are subject to change at any time.

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Keywords:Calgary plumbing, Tankless water heaters, hype about tankless water heaters, lack of storage tank, are tankless heaters good, insulation on tank heaters, comparison on tank heaters