In all our years of attending to people’s plumbing needs, we have observed that they spend far less time on buying an effective water heater than they spend on a coffee machine or a dishwasher. It something that is taken for granted. However, please keep in mind that considering the wide variety of options available in the market today, it is extremely important that you buy a water heater that perfectly meets your requirements.

So what all you must look out for?

Warranties – Best water heater companies are confident enough about their products to offer a comprehensive five year warranty on them. This tells about the quality of the water heater and ensures that you won’t be left hanging in case of an emergency. Go over the documents carefully and make sure that you get at least 5 years warranty on the tank and the parts. You should also be covered for replacements and/or repairs involved in any possible future issues.

Know the specifications – You must purchase the water heater based on the specifications of your home. In order to avoid any under-supply or over-supply problems later on, you must take note of the number of members in your family and determine the exact size of your house to buy a heater of appropriate size and configuration. Knowing the BTU’s, size (gallons) and Energy Factor (the measurement of the overall efficiency) are all important factors to making an informed decision.

Recovering Rate: How long it takes to reheat your water

Example: a 40,000 Btu gas water heater recovers, or heats, 41 gallons in one hour

Energy Star Rating Model: Would save an estimated $30 a year and even more for a larger family

You can get in touch with us at ClearView Plumbing & Heating and we would be happy to assess your hot water tank needs, and have you enjoying the comforts of your new hot water tank.

Homeowners ask us how to find a quality plumber, not for themselves (they have us after all), but for friends and relatives in other cities.  Here are eight simple questions homeowners can and should ask when seeking a quality plumber.

Does The Company Hold a Plumbing License? City and provincial  licensing is the minimum requirement to operate a plumbing company.  Licensing protects the public, including you.  Unlicensed plumbers are unaccountable to regulators and often unavailable if things go wrong.

Is The Company Insured? General liability and insurance protects you.  Most companies will be insured, but not all are.  Assume that any company failing to state that it carries insurance in its marketing or website lacks insurance.

Does The Company Have a Website? Similar to a physical address, a website is a sign of legitimacy. Most plumbing companies have a web presence today.

How Long Has The Company Been In Business (Under The Same Name)? One plumbing company in five closes every year.  The best way to predict whether a company will be around long enough to honor its warranties is whether the company has been around in the past.  Most reputable companies state their business tenure.  Beware companies that close due to a poor reputation and reopen with a new name.

Does The Company Have a Physical Address? Fly-by-night plumbers and uninsured moonlighters rarely have a business address.  More stable plumbing companies operate from a shop or office.

What is the Standard Guarantee? Not only does a better guarantee give you longer peace of mind, but better guarantees are offered by better companies.

Does the Company Give the Full Price Before Work Begins? Some companies offer fixed quotes, no matter how long the work takes.  Others charge by the hour and give open-end quotes, which means the work could cost a lot more if the company takes longer than the plumber expects.

Are The Company’s Service Vehicles Clean and Well Maintained? The condition of a company’s service vehicles is an indicator of the way the plumber will take care of your home.

When you hire a plumber, you want honesty, fair pricing, and quality from a company you can trust.  If you have any questions about this, give us a call.  We’d love to help you!

Call us today. You can start saving tomorrow!

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ClearView Plumbing and Heating
4805, 32nd Street SE, Calgary, AB T2B 2X3
Calgary, Alberta T2J 5N8

The common tank-style water heater typically lasts around a decade, but can last longer or die out more quickly. In fact, if you have maintained your hot water heater according to the manufacturer’s instructions, it may last twice as long. Nonetheless, it is not uncommon to hear of a water heater failing after just a couple of years in use. The tankless water heater is built to last for a considerably longer time. Some models of tankless water heaters come with a lifetime warranty. If you’re looking to replace your old water heater and don’t have an incredibly large demand for hot water, the tankless water heater may be your best option.

Water Heater Repairs

The water heater can fall into a state of disrepair for various reasons. Thermostats can fail to function properly or even fail completely. Sediment can form at the bottom of the water tank and cause a “popping” sound upon ignition of the burners in the unit. A fractured dip tube can mix the incoming cold water with the outgoing hot water. Thermal expansion can cause burst pipes and dangerous pressure levels. These and other water heater problems can result in excessively hot water, the loss of hot water, or damage to your plumbing system.

And while the repair of water heaters is a job that is best left to a professional plumber, a homeowner should take an active role when it comes to determining if that water heater in the home should be repaired or replaced. This is accomplished by asking the repairman about the cost of repairs versus the cost of replacement, and then weighing that figure against the estimate of how much time the current repairs that must be done are expected to last. Sometimes it is best to replace the entire heater altogether rather than keep repairing the old one, while it may be prudent for you to repair a system that has only a minor problem.

Water Heater Replacement

If you determine that replacing your hot water heater is the best idea, then you have several considerations that must be made. You will need to decide if you want to replace your water heater with a tankless water heater system or go with a traditional tank-style heater. The tankless water heater will last longer than traditional heaters, and they will provide a continuous supply of hot water that is heated as you need it. This will save you money on energy costs, as the traditional tank-style heater requires that you heat a large number of gallons of water continuously, even when there is no demand for water within the home. Tankless heaters heat water instantly on demand, which means that you’ll never run out of hot water again. Tankless heaters are sometimes cheaper than tank-style heaters, depending on the heater’s size.

You should also consider the efficiency rating of the water heater that you purchase if you go with a replacement heater. Energy efficiency is measured as a percent of heat that is used, based on using 64 gallons of hot water per day. The measurement is then expressed as the EF or energy factor. Tankless water heaters may run as efficiently as .98 or .95 while new tank-style heaters may have an EF of .63. Older heaters, obviously, may have an even lower EF. Keep in mind, however, the energy efficiency is just one measure of a water heater’s performance, and that it does not take into consideration the cost of the different fuels used or the total effect of the unit on your energy costs or the environment.

If you are not aware of the seriousness of Legionnaire’s disease, then you will be shocked to know that more than 10,000 people across North America fall prey to this disease every year, which can even cause death in extreme cases.

Legionnaire’s is caused by bacteria Legionella that that are found in water reservoirs, and other moist and warm places including air-conditioning systems. But most people catch it from hot water systems, as the bacteria can be transferred to your body when you take a bath.

Legionella perish in water temperatures exceeding 131 degrees Fahrenheit, but you cannot have a hot water bath at such a temperature without getting scalded severely. The maximum temperature of water that the human body can bear is about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Besides, most hot water heaters are not designed to heat water to such extreme temperatures, which leaves you in a tricky situation.

You need not worry as there is a simple solution to the problem – using thermostatic mixing valves that blend hot water and cold water to a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, thus protecting you from Legionnaire’s as well as eliminating risks of scalding. This way, you can enjoy a hot, relaxing bath without ever having to worry about Legionella. However, you would need expert assistance to install such a system.

Water heater leaks can not only ruin your day, but also burn a hole in your pocket, as they can inflate your water bills. If you have had a water heater for many years now, it is time for you to consider buying a new one.

It should come as a surprise if your water heater has lasted 10 years or more. According to experts, water heaters have a life of just nine years on an average. Beyond that, they pose a risk of water leaks.

So, if you and your family members are still relying on your old water heater, don’t be fooled by the false sense of safety. Remember that disaster can strike any time and you will wish that you had bought a new heater. An old leaky water heater will not only have a higher running cost, it will also pose a safety risk.

Tired of experiencing shower shock? Then join the growing number of homeowners who are kicking their old, tank-style water heaters to the curb and growing fond of new tankless hot water heater models. Traditional water heaters have had their day in court and been found guilty of wasting energy and being less functional than the sleeker, more environmentally-friendly tankless style water heater that heats water on demand and sustains that water at a constant temperature for even the longest of showers. With a traditional water heater, you pay to heat gallons and gallons of water, even when you are not at home and not using water. In fact, if you were to leave your home and stay gone for a month, your traditional water heater would still be hard at work, keeping your family’s water piping hot and ready for you whenever you decide to return – and all the while eating a hole in your wallet! But get in the shower and stay for a long time and you may be in for a cold surprise when the hot water runs out. Not so with a tankless hot water heater.

Tankless Water Heaters Heat Water Instantly

Tankless hot water heaters operate on a simple premise: you only need water to be heated when you need water! This ingenious design is revolutionizing the plumbing industry. The electric tankless hot water heater is typically a small unit that hangs on the side of the home and that is preset to a predetermined temperature. When you turn on the tap, a device inside the heater is activated by the water’s flow, which triggers it to be instantly heated. Thus, water is heated only as it is required. You never pay to heat water that is left on standby like you do with a traditional heater, which is expensive and requires constant heating and reheating, even if you are in the Bahamas. Because the electric tankless water heater (there are also gas models available) does not have to heat and reheat water, your energy bills will be reduced if you elect to install this type of water heater in your home. The tankless water heater works only when you need it to, saving you from twenty to an amazing fifty percent on your energy bills, eventually leading to the water heater paying for itself.

Other Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

But the rewards do not stop there. The tankless water heater also saves space, unlike the bulky traditional water heater that takes up lots of room. The tankless heater is compact, small, and usually installed in an out of the way area. The tankless water heater may be the last water heater you will ever buy because most of them come with a lifetime warranty. The average traditional water heater lasts twenty years or less before becoming landfill fodder and requiring a replacement. There is no risk of springing a costly leak with a tankless heater as they do not have a storage tank that is susceptible to seeping. And since the tankless heater allows you to conserve both energy and water, they are a big weapon in the fight to save our planet for future generations.

So if you are tired of paying a high energy bill every month or relighting the pilot light on your traditional gas water heater, or if you have grown weary of shower shock when your traditional water heater runs out of hot water, then the tankless water heater is the perfect solution for you.

A water heater can be a major source of energy consumption, and it should be one of the first things to target if you are looking to reduce your electricity bills.

You can save as much as 5% of your electricity bills if you add insulation to the hot water pipes and operate you water heater on a temperature of 48°, instead of the regular 54°.

Good hot water tanks come with a warranty of 9 to 12 years and last as long as 10 to 15 years. Their lifespan normally depends on the quality of water in your locality and the water pressure that you get. Tanks with shorter warranties are ones that lack thick insulation and strong burners. These products end up being highly inefficient so you should always try to avoid them.

On the other hand, larger gas enabled units end up being expensive because they need a lot of gas supply. Tankless heaters claim to save energy by initiating the heating process only when the faucet is turned on, but they may not give you enough capacity.

The best way to save money in this scenario is to use lesser hot water. You should rinse clothes with cold water as hot water is necessary only for washing the clothes. Generally, you should use the washing machine only when you can have it fully loaded, unless there is some urgency. Similarly, use your dishwasher only when it is fully loaded and if it has an energy saver cycle then make use of it. Using an electric shaver will also cut some unnecessary usage of hot water.

The water heating industry has seen some important technological advancements in the recent past. For example, the new Hybritherm Technology has been introduced by Conematics, a reputed Canadian Company. The technology has been developed in collaboration with leading American and European companies from the heating products industry. It allows you to install a single high efficiency water boiler that also heats your house at the same time. It not only saves you a lot of money – it can cut your heating bills by more than a quarter – but also lowers your carbon footprint as it reduces green house emissions by more than 1.5 tonnes annually.

Clearview Plumbing and Heating is dedicated to providing only the best energy efficient water heaters to homes in the Calgary area. Our expert staff and representatives will make sure that the water heater of your choice will meet your needs and lifestyle by considering the size of your home, number of members in your family, and other elements that can help assess your need for hot water.

With that information in hand, we can help you choose and install the water heater that will provide the best possible solution for your home and family.

At Clearview we are concerned with offering only the best water heating systems, quick installation and generous warranties while lowering our customers’ energy bills while providing them with the comfort and convenience of abundant amounts of hot water. We simply know our water heating systems and we like to know our customers’ needs.

Chances are you don’t spend much time thinking about your hot water heater, until you no longer have hot water. When the winter chill sets into your home, you may think about turning the water heater up a notch to keep the hot water flowing through your wipes. When turning your water heater higher, bear in mind that upping the temp wears on your hot water tank. This can result in a shortening of the life span of your water tank, as well as the fact that higher hot water temperatures are more dangerous for your family.

The best temperature for a hot water heater is 125 degrees or lower. Imagine if you turned your hot water heater up and then didn’t realize how hot your water could get? Less than a minute of exposure to water over 125 degrees can result in serious burns. With higher temperatures, your risk of burning happens even faster. Children under 5 can suffer skin burns in under 5 seconds.

To protect your family, be sure to keep your water heater temperature low. If you find your hot water runs out quickly, consider the use of water saving shower heads or a larger sized hot water tank.

We are plumbing professionals, and we are interested in your well being. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Most of us could probably go our entire lives not realizing the potential hazard posed by the hot water heaters in our homes. But a simple malfunction of the heater’s thermostat or temperature pressure safety relief valve could result in an explosion that could destroy your home.

Recently, a building in Wisconsin suffered minor damages when an electric water heater blew up. Nobody was injured, but the blast caused by a water heater explosion can be disastrous and even deadly. The water in a heater expands and creates pressure that’s kept in check by the safety devices. Without these, the temperature and pressure can build to the point of exploding.

To prevent this, have the temperature pressure safety relief valve tested annually. Also, look for these signs of malfunction: water that spits or sputters out of the faucets, excessive amounts of hot water, or a dripping temperature pressure safety relief valve.