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Plumbing

Why Might I Choose a Tankless Water Heater?

There are a lot of appliances and systems that we use these days to keep our homes comfortable and our lives convenient. When it comes to the hardest working appliance in any given home, the water heater is usually a big contender. You use hot water whenever you shower, do the laundry, wash the dishes, or just clean up in general. If you’re in the process of choosing a new water heater, you really need to know that you are making that decision carefully.

This means that you should weigh all of your options before deciding which water heater is right for you. We recommend that you consider using a tankless water heater in Wellington, CO. These unique systems have a lot to recommend them.

Where Is the Hot Water Stored?

If you are wondering where the hot water in a tankless water heater is stored, the answer is simple. There is no stored water. Instead, a tankless water heater operates in an on-demand fashion. Water is heated only as it is called for, while passing through the system. The unique design and operation of tankless water heaters allows for some significant benefits to homeowners.

  • Compact size means that tankless water heaters can fit into tight spaces, such as utility closets. This is ideal for homes with little storage space.
  • On-demand heating of water eliminates standby energy loss. There is no heated water stored that could cool down, so you don’t waste energy reheating water.
  • Long lifespans, generally in excess of 20 years, means you get a great return on your investment. Tankless water heaters simply last longer than tank models.

Of course, no system is perfect, nor is any single water heater the best option for every homeowner. Tankless water heaters are much more expensive than tank models. This price gap can be closed up over the years via energy savings, but some homeowners want to take advantage of a cheaper purchasing price. Tankless water heaters can also be more easily overwhelmed when a lot of hot water is called for at multiple points of use throughout the house.

Schedule your water heater services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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What Are Anode Rods, And Why Are They Important?

Do you use a tank water heater in order to heat water for use throughout your home? If so, you have an anode rod in that water storage tank, and it serves a vital purpose in there. You may not know the component by name, but it is important that you familiarize yourself with it and its operation. After all, your anode rod is going to have to be replaced eventually, and you need to keep its condition in mind. Before we get ahead of ourselves, though, read the following post to learn more about what your anode rod does for your water heater in Windsor, CO.

Preventing Rust Via Self Sacrifice

Not to make an inanimate object sound too heroic, but there is good reason as to why anode rods are often called “sacrificial anodes.” You see, anode rods are composed of either aluminum or magnesium, generally. These materials actually serve to attract the corrosive elements in the water within the hot water tank that your water heater uses. Why would they do this?

As you probably know, steel will rust if exposed to water and oxygen for a period of time. For many reasons, most modern hot water storage tanks are made of steel. As a first defense against rusting, they are lined with glass. Over time and due to high temperature exposure, that glass will likely crack. The anode rod is the next line of defense.

By sacrificing itself for the good of the steel tank, the anode rod is able to protect your water heater as it allows itself to rust and corrode away. Eventually, that rod will need to be replaced, as it will continue to corrode until there is pretty much nothing left. We are happy to ensure the proper operation of every component in your water heater.

Schedule service with the professionals here at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

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Is It Time to Replace My Water Heater?

Replacing a water heater may not be the most exciting way in which to spend your hard-earned money, but you must remember just how important your water heater is in your day to day routine. If you are serious about living conveniently and comfortably, then you are going to need a bountiful supply of hot water supplied throughout your home. If your water heater is no longer able to serve its function properly, then a water heater replacement in Loveland, CO is advisable. You will ideally replace your water heater before it breaks down entirely, which is why we’ve provided a few examples of when you may want to consider a water heater replacement.

 

Subpar Performance

Does your water heater consistently leave your hot showers running cold? If this has always been an issue, then it is likely that your hot water heater is just not large enough to handle the demand for hot water in your home. Replacing it is likely the only way in which to resolve this issue. If this is a relatively new development, though, it could be due to an operational problem of some kind. In many instances, repairs will be possible. Just remember that there is no rule saying that a water heater that can be repaired is actually worth repairing.

Frequent Repair Needs

There comes a point when your water heater is just not going to be worth investing in any longer. We understand that it may go against your instinct to opt for replacement over further repairs, but you must consider the ongoing cost of keeping your water heater up and running, as well as its age. If it is nearing the end of its projected lifespan, or requires repairs on a regular basis, it probably makes more sense financially to invest in a new system.

Low Efficiency Levels

Over time, your water heater is going to start operating at lower efficiency levels. There’s really nothing that can be done to stop the effects of time, though routine maintenance will certainly keep your system functioning as efficiently as possible for as long as possible. If your system is still costing too much to run, though, or always has due to a low efficiency rating, then investing in a newer, more efficient system can actually help you to save some money in the long run.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule your water heater service.

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Tank or Tankless: Choosing Your New Water Heater

We use a lot of different appliances and systems throughout the day in order to live our lives in a convenient and comfortable manner befitting the modern homeowner. Among these appliances is the water heater, and it is surely one of the most heavily used systems in any home. Every time that you take a hot shower, run your dishwasher, or do the linens, you are relying upon your water heater to provide you with an ample supply of effectively and efficiently heated water. That is why you should schedule your water heater services in Fort Collins, CO with us. We’ll make sure that you have the right water heater installed in your home, and that it continues to function well. Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning to get started.

 

Tank vs. Tankless

When most homeowners think of a water heater, they’ll first envision a tank system. These water heaters are probably still the most prevalent in the residential sector, and their great reputation is well-earned. Tank water heaters store a significant amount of hot water at all times in their storage tanks. This helps to ensure that you always have an ample amount of hot water when you need it. It also helps to prevent the water heater from being overwhelmed when hot water is called for at multiple fixtures throughout the house. Standby energy loss is an issue with such systems, though, as heat from the water transfers through the tank to the air outside. Standby energy loss is minimal when you have a well-insulated tank, but is never truly eliminated.

Unless, of course, you eliminate the use of a tank from the equation altogether. This is possible when you opt for a tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters forgo the storing of hot water, instead heating only the water that is needed, as it is needed. They are quite compact, taking up little room, and can be installed in small areas. However, they are also much more expensive to purchase than tank models, though this cost can be offset over time by energy savings. They may also be overwhelmed more easily in intsances of high hot water demand. Work with us to ensure that you have the right water heater for your home installed therein.

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3 Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters

When people think of water heaters, the image they conjure up is of a large water tank that stores a supply of hot water for use. However, these storage systems are not the only kind of water heater available today. More and more homeowners are opting to install on-demand water heaters, also known as tankless water heaters because they do not require the storage of water in a tank.

Tankless water heaters work through electrical elements that heat up water in the pipes as hot water is needed. When someone turns on a hot water faucet, the system heats water for immediate use. In general, tankless water heaters cost more to install than traditional storage systems, but they offer immense advantages that can outweigh the cost of the initial investment. Here are 3 of the main ones to consider.

If you have more questions about installing water heaters in Berthoud, CO, contact us at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

Tankless water heater benefits

  1. No running out of hot water: A storage system has water ready when you need it—but it can also run out of hot water and require time to heat up another tank. All of us have experienced the discomfort of running out of hot water and getting stuck with a cold shower. But tankless systems do not have this trouble: they heat the water as you require it, so you won’t run out of hot water.
  2. Efficient energy use: This is where the tankless water heater begins to pay for itself. You only use energy to heat up water when you actually need hot water. The heating elements turn on when there is a demand for hot water. By contrast, a storage system must maintain constant heat to keep the water in the tank ready for use. Storage systems can use up to 20% more energy than a tankless system.
  3. Longer lifespan: Storage water heaters are at a greater risk from corrosion because they keep water constantly in a tank. They are also much larger than tankless systems and have more moving parts that can wear down. On average, a tankless water heater lasts 5 to 10 years longer than a storage water heater—another way that a tankless system will pay for itself.

Should you install a tankless water heater?

Although these are fantastic advantages, a tankless system might not be ideal for your home. Whether you get one or go for a storage system depends on your budget and water use. Tankless systems can have trouble heating up water fast enough, and will lose efficiency if too many taps are on at once. Talk to a water heater expert to find out if tankless is the right choice for you.

When it comes to installing, repairing, and maintaining water heaters in Berthoud, CO, you can trust to Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ve served Northern Colorado for 80 years.

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What Is An Anode Rod?

Whatever type, size, or age of your water heater, it remains a vital component of your home. Imagine how inconvenient and uncomfortable your daily chores would be without a consistent and reliable stream of hot water. The best way to keep an eye on your water heater is with routine maintenance. There’s simply no other way to ensure that your equipment is routinely inspected, cleaned, and adjusted for excellent performance and efficiency. But a little homeowner knowledge can go a long way. Do you know what an anode rod is? Or have you ever heard of a sacrificial anode? Both of these terms describe an integral part of your tank water heater. It’s the focus of today’s blog post.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for superior water heater services in Loveland, CO. We can take care of anything that needs fixing.

An anode rod is a piece of magnesium, zinc or aluminum that sits within your tank water heater. It is designed to be sacrificed. The chemical action of water on untreated steel or iron is well-known: it causes the metal to oxidize. The invention of the residential water heater was largely made possible by the ability of metal tank manufacturers to keep coat metal in enamel or glass that could resist the effects of oxidization and other chemical reactions. But no matter how well the inside of your tank is coated, it will still eventually succumb to the chemical action of the water inside. Hence, the need for the sacrificial anode.

This rod sits within the tank and is slowly eaten away by the water. Whether you have a magnesium, zinc or aluminum rod may depend on various factors, including the chemical composition and acidity of your water. Eventually, when the anode rod has been thoroughly sacrificed, the water will begin to eat away at the interior lining of the tank, and this may lead to rust in your hot water supply. So long as you keep your anode rod fresh and have a professional come take a look every once in a while, your water heater will give you years of good service.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for water heaters in Loveland, CO.

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