Budget Bathroom Makeovers

June 14th, 2012 Posted in Bathroom Repairs
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According to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, the bathroom is the most remodeled room in U.S. homes. Over six percent of homeowners reported that they remodeled at least one bathroom in their home during 2010.  Kitchen remodels came in second at about three percent.

The popularity of bathroom remodels makes sense because a homeowner can get a lot of bang for their buck with a bathroom remodel.  A complete makeover can run anywhere from $15,000 to $50,000, but a bathroom update can be even more affordable.

For a truly low budget bathroom update, replacing faucets, showerheads, toilets and other fixtures with new modern fixtures can give the bathroom a fresh look at a very reasonable cost.  Combined with a new coat of paint, updated light fixtures and towel rods, your bathroom will take on a whole new look and you will save money on your water bill if you install low flow fixtures.

The next step up includes replacing flooring, sinks, cabinets, countertops, tubs and showers.  New flooring can make a huge difference in a bathroom at relatively low cost since the square footage of most bathrooms is relatively low.  When replacing sinks, vanities, cabinets, and tubs, the key to controlling costs is to avoid relocating them if possible.  Any time you have to relocate the plumbing for these items, the cost will climb dramatically.

Talk to your local plumber about your bathroom remodeling options.  Your plumber can help you choose high quality, water saving fixtures and explain your options and costs for relocating any necessary water supply lines and drains.

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Sewer Gas Smells

June 14th, 2012 Posted in Bathroom Repairs
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If you have noticed an unpleasant smell in a bathroom or elsewhere in your home but can’t track down the source, it can be a sign of a serious sewer or septic problem that needs the attention of an experienced professional plumber.  It’s possible you have leaking or broken drain line, or a broken sewer vent line.  But there may be a simple answer to bathroom odors that are hard to track down – a dry trap.

Plumbing traps are curved sections of drain pipe that are designed to hold a little water and prevent sewer gas smells from entering your home through the drain pipe.  The easiest place to see a plumbing trap is under the bathroom or kitchen sink.  You will see a curved section of pipe just under the sink.  This section of pipe is often called a “J trap” or “P trap” because it’s shaped like a J or a sideways P.

These plumbing traps are installed on every drain in your home including sinks, showers, tubs, utility sinks, washing machine drains, and so on.  The lowest section of the pipe holds water that prevents the sewer gas smell from your sewer or septic system from backing up through the pipe and entering your home.

However, if the drain is not used for a long period of time, the water can evaporate and allow sewer gas into your home creating a sulfer or rotten egg smell. Many homes have bathrooms that are rarely used such as in a guest bedroom and this is a very common source of sewer gas smells.

To solve the problem, simply run some water down the drain.  The plumbing trap will fill with water and stop the smell.  In addition to the unpleasant odor, sewer gas is also dangerous so it’s important to track down the source and fix the problem.  If the source of the smell turns out not to be a dry trap, call a professional plumber right away.

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Hot Water Recirculating Systems

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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Almost everyone has had the experience of turning on the faucet or shower and waiting for the water to warm up.  The hot water in the hot water supply lines cool off after a few hours and unless the faucet is very close to the water heater, it takes time for the hot water to make its way from the water heater to the faucet.  The further the faucet or shower is from the water heater, the longer the wait for the water to warm up.

Aside from the inconvenience of waiting for the water to warm up, this process wastes a lot of water – anywhere from two thousand to ten thousand gallons of water per year goes down the drain due to waiting for the water to heat up.

Hot water recirculating systems are designed to conserve water and end the wait for hot water.  They work by recirculating hot water from the water heater throughout your hot water system and back to the water heater.  This way, the water at the tap is always hot – no more waiting for hot water and no more wasting water down the drain.

If you are tired of wasting time, money, and water waiting for hot water, talk to your plumber about converting to a hot water recirculating system.  There are a few different types of systems.  Passive systems do not need electric pumps to operate.  Instead, they rely on the fact that warm water rises to keep the water circulating through the system.

Active hot water recirculating systems use pumps to circulate the water.  Some systems circulate the water continuously while others use a timer, temperature sensor, or user activated switch to operate the pump.  Your plumber can help you choose a hot water recirculating system that is right for your home.

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Size Matters With Water Heaters

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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When you are considering purchasing a conventional storage type water heater, be sure to choose one with the proper capacity.  A water heater that is too small will not be able to keep up with the demand for hot water and a water heater that is larger than necessary will be inefficient and cost more to operate.

A conventional tank type water heater keeps a full tank of water hot 24 hours a day.  Hot water is always available when needed, but a lot of energy is wasted keeping the water hot when it will not be needed for hours.  Called standby heat loss, the problem is worse the bigger the tank is.  Accordingly, you can minimize standby heat loss by purchasing the smallest sized water heater that will meet the demand.

Experts recommend using the “first hour rating” rather than tank size when selecting a storage type water heater.  The first hour rating is an indication of how much hot water a water heater can supply in one hour starting with a full tank of hot water.

Obviously, the size of the tank will affect the first hour rating but in addition, a water heater that can heat water quickly will have a higher first our rating than a water heater that heats water more slowly. The type of fuel (electric, natural gas, propoane, etc.) and the size of the heating element determine the rate at which a water heater can heat water.

The Department of Energy publishes tables that you can use to estimate your peak hourly demand for hot water.  Once you estimate your peak hourly demand, select a water heater that has a first hour rating within a couple gallons of that amount.

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Choosing a New Water Heater

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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When you need a new water heater for your home, you have many different options and features to consider.  Your plumbing contractor can help you choose and install a water heater that’s right for your home, but before you start shopping you should understand the difference between types of water heaters and how to choose one that will efficiently provide sufficient hot water for you and your family.

There are many different types of water heaters available.  The most common type is a conventional storage type water heater that heats a tank of water and keeps it hot for use when needed.  Demand water heaters (also called tankless water heaters) are more efficient than storage type water heaters and take up less space.  They only heat water as it is needed.

Heat pump water heaters are even more efficient because they use electricity to move heat rather than to create heat.  They are often combined with a heat pump heating and cooling system.  Solar water heaters use sunshine to heat water for your home.

The operating cost of the water heater is often more important than the initial cost of the appliance.  In addition to the cost of the water heater, you should factor in the cost of maintenance and the cost of the fuel to operate the water heater.

You may live in an area where several types of fuel are available.  Electricity, natural gas, propane, and fuel oil are common fuels for water heaters.  Fuel costs vary throughout the country and you should compare the fuel costs for fuels available in your area to determine what type of water heater is the most cost effective.

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Comparison of Water Heater Types

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Tankless Water Heaters
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If you are building a new home or replacing the water heater in your existing home, you have many options when it comes to the type of water heater.  Before deciding on a water heater, you will need to consider what type of water heater will best fit your needs by providing sufficient hot water while maximizing energy efficiency.

There are several different types of water heaters available.  The most common type is a conventional storage type water heater that heats water in a large tank and keeps it hot and ready for use when needed.  Conventional tank type water heaters have been around for decades, but they waste energy through standby heat loss. By keeping water hot 24 hours a day whether there is a demand for hot water or not, conventional storage water heaters are less efficient than demand water heaters (also called tankless water heaters).

Demand water heaters only heat water as it is needed which makes them more efficient than storage type water heaters.  However, they have other issues such as sizing to ensure that they are capable of meeting peak demand.  You have to be careful to choose a tankless water heater that can produce enough hot water to meet multiple demands such simultaneously supplying hot water for a shower, dishwasher and clothes washwer.

Heat pump water heaters are not as common, but they are an energy efficient way to heat water, especially when integrated with a heat pump system that provides heating and cooling for the home.  Air source heat pumps extract heat from the air while geothermal heat pumps extract heat from the ground.

Finally, solar water heaters use the free energy provided by the sun to heat water.  Depending on where your home is located, a solar water heater can be a cost effective, energy efficient way to heat water but they usually need to be used in conjunction with a backup water heating system.

 

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How to Size a Tankless Water Heater

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Tankless Water Heaters
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If you are considering installing a tankless water heater in your new home or replacing your existing conventional water heater with an energy efficient tankless water heater, you have probably been attracted by a combination of energy savings and the promise of “endless hot water.”  However, properly sizing a tankless water heater is important to take advantage of these attributes of tankless water heaters.  If your water heater is too small, you will end up with “endless lukewarm water.”  On the other hand, buying one that is too large is just a waste of money and reduces your savings.

To choose the correct size demand water heater, you need to know two three thing:  the temperature of the cold water as it enters your home, the temperature you need the hot water to reach, and your flow rate.  Flow rate is the maximum number of gallons of hot water you expect to use per minute.  For example, if you want to be able to take a shower at the same time you are doing laundry, add up the gallons of hot water used per minute by your washing machine and in your shower.

Once you have the flow rate, subtract the temperature of the cold water from the temperature desired for the hot water keeping in mind that the temperature of the cold water entering your home may vary throughout the year.  Use the lowest expected temperature. This calculation will give you the necessary temperature rise.

Look for a demand water heater that can provide the  necessary temperature rise at the desired flow rate.  By choosing an appropriately sized demand water heater, you can maximize energy efficiency without sacrificing performance.

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Save Energy by Reducing Hot Water Use

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Faucet Repairs
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You can save money and energy every month by reducing hot water usage in your home.  Less energy use means reduced greenhouse gasses so by following a few energy saving tips, you’ll keep more money in your wallet at the same time you help conserve the environment.

Fixing leaks in plumbing fixtures wastes less hot water and results in savings on energy bills and water bills.  If you have leaky faucets or showerheads, have them fixed or replaced by a qualified faucet repair plumber.  If you are replacing faucets or showerheads, ask your plumber to install low-flow fixtures.

Modern faucets and showerheads use far less water than older fixtures while still providing excellent water flow.  By federal law, all showerheads and faucets have flow rates no higher than 2.5 gallons per minute which is less than half of some fixtures sold before 1992.

Low flow showerheads come in two types:  laminar flow and aerating.  Aerating showerheads have an aerator that mixes air with the water much like a faucet.  Laminar flow showerheads use individual streams of water.  Both save money and energy by conserving hot water, but aerating showerhead create a little more steam and moisture in your bathroom and may be better suited for climates where humidity is not a concern.

Some homeowners have been dissatisfied with the performance of their low flow fixtures, but if you purchase fixtures with the Watersense label, you can be assured that the fixture has been tested by and independent laboratory and found to use less water without sacrificing performance.

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Save Money and Energy Washing Dishes

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Dish Washers
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According to the Department of Energy, the largest cost involved in washing dishes comes from the energy used to heat the water.  You can save energy and money on dishwashing by reducing your hot water usage.

Many people prefer to wash dishes by hand to save hot water.  However, dishwashing by hand can waste hot water, especially if you let the hot water run while washing and rinsing the dishes and wash dishes several times a day.

The most energy efficient way to wash dishes is to use an energy efficient dishwasher and running it only when it is fully loaded.  When choosing a new energy efficient dishwasher, be sure to compare capacity as well as energy usage ratings.  A lower capacity dishwasher may have a better energy efficiency rating, but if you have to run it more often you will end up using more water and energy than you would with a  larger capacity dishwasher.

A booster heater can make your dishwasher more energy efficient.  Booster heaters heat up the water entering the dishwasher to the recommended temperature for cleaning.  Dishwashers equipped with booster heaters are a little more expensive than standard water heaters, but they allow you to turn down the temperature on your water heater without sacrificing the performance of your dishwasher.  The added cost of a dishwasher equipped with a booster heater is typically offset by your energy savings in about a year.

For additional energy savings, look for a dishwasher that allows you to choose shorter cycles for less heavily soiled dishes and look for the Energy Star label.  For best results, your new dishwasher should be installed by a reputable kitchen repair plumber.

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Save Money and Energy With Water Heater Heat Traps

June 5th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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If you have a conventional storage type water heater, you can save money and energy by installing heat traps on your water heating system.  According to the Department of Energy, installing heat traps on the inlet and outlet pipes of your water heater can save between $15 and $30 per month.

Convective energy loss is one of the biggest energy wasters with conventional water heaters.  Heat traps save energy by reducing convective heat loss through the inlet and outlet pipes.  They allow water to flow into the tank but prevent unwanted hot water flow out of the tank through the inlet and outlet pipes.

A pair of heat traps only costs around $30 plus labor.  Heat traps are installed in the water inlet and outlet pipes of your water heater and installation requires having the skill and equipment to solder the pipe joints.  Some handy homeowners may have the ability to install the heat traps themselves, but most of us will be better off having them installed by a qualified plumbing contractor.

In either case, you can recover the cost of the heat traps within the first month or two of operation and enjoy energy savings for years to come.  If you are installing a new conventional water heater, check to see if the water heater comes equipped with heat traps.  Many new conventional tank-type water heaters are equipped with heat traps, but if not your plumbing contractor can easily install heat traps at the same time the water heater is installed.

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