What to Consider Before Purchasing a Water Heater

What to Consider Before Purchasing a Water Heater

Your water heater isn’t something you think about until you need to. Tucked away in the garage, you just don’t notice it until it stops working and needs to be repaired or replaced. Even if your water heater is still working, it’s a good idea to evaluate older equipment to ensure it’s working efficiently. If your home is older and the water heater hasn’t been replaced in some time, you may be paying more than you need to for hot water. Our new water heater guide will help ensure you’re armed with the knowledge needed to keep the water hot in your home.

When It’s Time For A New Water Heater

You may be tempted to head down to your local big box home center and select a water heater to install yourself. However, there are several reasons this isn’t a good idea. Aside from things that can go awry in the installation process, choosing the right water heater for your home isn’t as easy as it seems. Here are some things to consider:

What Kind Of Water Heater?

You have options, and the type of water heater can make a difference in hot water availability and energy efficiency. Here are the basic types of water heater you may choose from:

  • Conventional storage water heaters. This is the kind you are probably most familiar with. It’s the large tank variety found in many homes. These water heaters come in various sizes. If you choose this kind of water heater, it’s important that you get the right one to ensure you have adequate hot water but also save on energy costs.
  • Tankless (on demand) water heaters. Heats the water without needing a storage tank.
  • Solar water heaters.
  • Indirect water heaters.
  • Tankless coil water heaters. These water heaters are best suited for a certain climate.

When You Don’t Have The Right Water Heater

If you are using a water heater that isn’t right for your home, you can run into problems. Aside from not having an adequate supply of hot water, you can also lose energy efficiency, resulting in higher utility bills. If your water heater is working too hard, you may need more frequent repairs. In some cases, the wrong water heater can result in contamination. It’s important that you choose a system that is suited to the size of your home and your individual consumption needs.

The Benefits Of Choosing The Right Water Heater

The right water heater will run efficiently. This means your heating bill will be lower, and you will still have enough hot water for showers, dishes, etc. You will have cleaner, healthier water and you will be less likely to run into problems. This means fewer repairs and a water heater that lasts for years.

Features You Should Be Looking For

It’s a good idea to know what to consider before you shop around for your water heater. Our new water heater guide has all of the questions you should ask yourself. What type should you choose? What are the pros and cons and what features are most important to you? It may be that you value an eco-friendly, energy efficient system above all else.  If that is the case, you might consider a tankless system, known for efficiency and conservation.

If your household demands a great deal of hot water, then you will be looking for a water heater that provides high output in the most efficient manner possible. You’ll find that your newer water heater will be more efficient than an older model of a similar type. Your current water heater may work just fine for you, but replacing it with a similar model will give efficiency a boost.

Cost is another consideration. The temptation may be to save some money and buy a less expensive model. The problem is that you could end up spending more money in the long run. Repairs and replacement will cancel out your initial savings, making a cheap buy anything but a bargain.

Your fuel type is something else to think about. Energy sources typically used include gas, electricity, propane and solar. You’ll have to do some research to determine whether you should switch from your current fuel type to something else. For example, if your current water heater is an electric one, you may think about switching to gas. Figuring out your annual operation cost as well as the cost to switch from one to another is something you will want to talk to a professional about.

Getting Advice About Your Water Heater

If you are in need of service after reading our new water heater guide, your best bet is to consult Crystal Blue. Hot water is a daily need. It requires equipment that runs reliably and efficiently. Your water heater can cost you a great deal of money each and every year if you make the wrong choice. Talk to someone who knows what they are doing. Getting equipment and installation assistance from a reputable source like Crystal Blue can save money and headaches later on.

Schedule Water Heater Service with Crystal Blue Plumbing Heating & Air Today!

Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality During & After the Winter

Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality During & After the Winter

With a home closed up all winter long, it causes the same stale air to remain in the home all season long. Opening the window or door will help to circulate new, fresh air throughout the home, but this isn’t the only way a homeowner can improve the air quality. In fact, homeowners may use one or more of the tips mentioned below to improve the air quality in the home to prepare for after winter. 

Why Homeowners Should be Concerned About Air Quality

All the air that remains in the home without circulating keeps the dust from escaping. This dust is continuously breathed in by everyone in the household. The same applies for allergens like pollen that get into the home. Keep in mind, not all plants pollinate during the warm months only.

Some plants pollinate throughout the winter. With the weather getting colder and snow falling, people stay indoors much more than during the warm weather. Their pets may not go outside as much either. All of the pet dander builds up inside the house. Spraying cleaners into the air releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are substances that contain carbon. The VOCs are found in air fresheners, window cleaning liquids and dry cleaning solutions and can irritate a person’s sinuses. 

During the winter, windows remain closed while steam from cooking and showering enter into the air, leading to excess moisture. The moisture leads to mold and mildew, both of which are inhaled and may cause a reaction in those with sensitivities or allergies to the spores. All of the pollutants in the air are especially dangerous to those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other respiratory problems. Symptoms of exposure to all of the above-mentioned substances include itchy, watery eyes, fatigue, headaches and dizziness. Those with severe allergies may find themselves breaking out in hives as a result of the allergens. 

People don’t have to suffer from poor indoor air quality after a long winter. By making a few simple changes that are easy and inexpensive, a person can inhale clean air no matter the season. These changes benefit the health of all members of the family. 

1. Minimize Chemical Pollutants 

It’s vital for a person to minimize the number of chemical pollutants that enter into the air by avoiding cleaners with potent fragrances. It’s also important to use solvent-based cleaners sparingly, and when a person does use chemicals, he or she should try to open the windows in the room if possible. Any equipment, and even vehicles, should never run idly inside of an unventilated area like a garage, especially if the garage is attached to the house. 

2. Use Devices With a HEPA Filtration System

High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters trap a great deal of allergens because they can catch such small particles. Inside, they have filters that are able to be removed and cleaned on a regular basis to ensure they’re not continuously putting the same harmful particles back into the air. 

3. Buy Machine Washable Items

To avoid putting the chemicals from dry cleaning into the air, purchase machine washable clothing and bedding. Plus, machine washable bedding makes it easier for a person to wash the linens weekly, which cuts back on the number of allergens in the room significantly. 

4. Regulate Humidity

Although air that’s too dry is uncomfortable to breathe and can lead to sinus issues like frequent nose bleeds, air that’s too moist leads to mold and mildew. To find a happy medium where the air is comfortable to breathe and not contributing to the growth of fungus, keep the humidity between 30 and 50 percent. Those who opt for a humidifier should clean them frequently. 

5. Utilize Bathroom Exhaust Fans

Showers and baths put moisture into the air, but a person can reduce the amount of moisture by always running an exhaust fan when bathing. A homeowner can have it installed, so the fan turns on with the flick of the same switch that turns the light on. This helps an individual turn it on every time he or she takes a shower. 

6. Add Flora to the House

Houseplants add a unique element to the decor. They also filter carbon dioxide. Plants that filter air include peace lilies, snake plants, chrysanthemums and English ivy. 

7. Open Doors and Windows

When possible, open the doors and windows and let some fresh air into the home. 

8. Check HVAC Filters

Change or clean HVAC filters regularly. Make sure they fit well and are in place.

9. Vent to the Outside 

Fireplaces, range tops, furnaces, exhaust fans and heaters should all vent to the outside away from windows and HVAC intakes. 

10. Schedule Regular HVAC Tune-ups

Schedule regular HVAC system tune-ups in order to ensure the system works properly and efficiently. During the inspection, a professional will clean out the system.

Save Up To $1800 when you purchase our combo iWave Air Purifier &  Halo 5 Water Filter system for your home! Call Crystal Blue Plumbing Heating & Air today to schedule air quality service in your home!

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