Tankless Water Heater

Tankless Water Heater

What is a tankless water heater?

A tankless water heater can be defined as demand-type, expeditious or instantaneous, providing water whenever needed. Hot water is necessary during a bath or shower, and a water heater is compulsory to provide hot water. The old-school tank water heater can take up to 17 square feet of space in a house, is not very efficient for saving energy or cost, and only stores water from 7.5 to 15.5 liters. Whether a tankless water heater is more energy-efficient, cost-effective, long-lasting, dependable, does not take up a lot of space and is expeditious, as it does not store water.

How does it work?

A tankless water heater heats water without storing water in a water tank. When someone opens a tap, the water which flows through the tap comes in touch with a heat exchanger in the unit. A natural gas burner or an electric element heats the heat exchanger, and as a result, a tankless water heater provides a constant hot water supply.

Usually, a tankless water heater provides 7.5 to 15.5 liters of water in a minute, which is supposedly 2 to 5 gallons. An electric tankless water heater cannot fulfill a large family’s need for hot water, whether a gas-burner tankless water heater can. However, sometimes it can not provide enough hot water if a family is using too much water simultaneously; for instance, taking a shower and doing household chores at the same time that need water. In that case, installing more than one water heater in separate places like the kitchen and bathroom where water usage is higher can be beneficial. However, it can cost more and may not be worth it.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Tankless water heaters are cost-effective and energy effective. They provide instant hot water whenever needed. They can save from 24% to 34% energy for a family that uses 40 or fewer gallons of water and 8% to 12% for a family that uses hot water like 80 gallons. Most tankless water heaters can last for 20 years in contrast to storage water heaters, which last for 10 to 15 years. These heaters save space and can weigh between 70 to 80 pounds, installable on the wall, which means more floor space remains. These heaters are sustainable and environmentally friendly as they prevent greenhouse gas releases.

However, these can cause some problems like mineral build-up, system overload, sudden provision of cold water, blocked air supply, ignition failure, flame failure, etc., depending on the water usage in a family. These problems are readily soluble.

To conclude, a tankless water heater is an excellent investment for a place where hot water is needed immediately. It is highly efficient, low-maintenance, saves money and energy, is environmentally friendly, and the problems are readily soluble.

 

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Schaumburg, Il – Sump Pump Repair & Installation

Zoeller Sump Pump

Before & After Sump Pump Installation

Before

After

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Elgin, Illinois – Learn How to Spot Potential Repair Scams

Spot Potential Repair Scams That Might Lead to Poor Plumbing Work

Plumbing plays an important role in the proper functioning of a home. Therefore, it is important that you take the utmost care and caution when repairing any work related to plumbing.

Always do your research and be aware of potential plumbing scams. Know what to expect from the professional plumbing experts who come to service your plumbing problem.

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How to Avoid Potential Plumbing Repair Scams

Seek Multiple Estimates
Before finalizing your decision about hiring a plumber, you should seek out at least three estimates with their detailed breakdown costs. If you find any plumbing contractor is proactively giving the quote over the phone, it would be better to avoid him.

After all, a plumber should be able to assess the damage and cost of repairing them only after visiting the job site.

Once you receive the estimates, you need to compare them and if you find one of the quotes is much lower than the others, you should be leery about it. An excessively lower estimate does not include all the labor and equipment costs for which you will be responsible for paying before finishing the plumbing work.

Before starting the job, you need to pay a specific amount of money as a down payment. Usually, 10% of the total plumbing cost is considered as the standard down payment amount. But when a plumber asks for a larger amount, you should be suspicious as it will raise the chance that he could take the money and run.

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Beware of Theft
If you are living in a rental or apartment building, you need to be aware of common scams as a plumber may claim that he has been sent by the house owner or the water department and instructed to check the water connection and do some necessary repairs.

In many cases, these are fake people whose intent is to steal valuable items from your household. Therefore, you must verify the identity of a plumber from the homeowner or the building supervisor before letting him enter into the house.

Compare, Compare and Compare
Another common scam is to seek money in the name of expensive parts. But in reality, the plumbers use the cheaper parts and a major portion of the profit goes to their own pockets.

Hence, whenever you are asking for a quote, instruct the plumber to mention the make and model of every major part or equipment. Then, compare the cost of each item with the local building supply store to know whether any major price difference is there.

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Backflow Testing And Repair In The Chicago, IL Area Simple Solution

Need a backflow system repaired or tested in the Chicago area?

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Chicago, IL – Backflow Repair On A Fire System Done The Correct Way!

Chicago, IL - Backflow Repair On A Fire System Done The Correct Way!

If you have a backflow-related emergency or need a fire system backflow repaired and/or tested

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Chicago Area – This Is Why Your Backflow Won’t Open

chicago plumber fixing and repairing backflow problems


To Test and Service Your Backflow

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Things to Consider Before Choosing a Backflow Testing & Repair Service Provider in Elgin, Illinois

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How To Choose A Backflow Testing & Repair Service in Elgin, Illinois.

The task of selecting a backflow testing & repair service or tester to verify your backflow prevention device is not an easy task, especially when your water utility controlling body in Elgin, Illinois sends you the alarming ‘Backflow Testing Due’ reminder. The water distribution system is designed in such a way that keeps the water flow in one direction, that is, from the water supply point toward the consumer.

However, due to unavoidable situations sometimes conditions occur either from the supplier’s side or from consumers when this rule deviates, and that causes the water to flow in opposite direction. This problem is known as backflow. Now, a backflow device helps to prevent the contamination of potable water.

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Sometimes backflow contamination can be extremely risky and even fatal. Therefore, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) has entrusted the responsibility to maintain the purity of the water to the local agencies. That’s why water suppliers in Illinois need to test backflow prevention devices annually.

Importance of Choosing the Professional Backflow Testing Services in Elgin Illinois

Whether you need backflow testing or repair service for your residential or commercial place, it is essential to consider a professional service provider with whom you can completely entrust the service.

After all, a properly functional backflow device avoids the potential risk of flowing contaminated water, industrial fluids, used water, and other substances from different sources like residential, institutional, or industrial piping systems into a filtered and pure water system. Therefore, it is essential to conduct the backflow testing typically once you are sent the reminder.

fox-valley-commercial-backflow

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Verify Certification
When choosing a backflow testing or repair service provider company or individual tester, you have to always remember that the service needs to be performed by a person having a valid Certification of Competency issued by the health officer from the county of Elgin, Illinois, or the county of Chicago, Illinois based on your location. In addition, you need to enquire about the validity of that certification in order to find out whether the certificate is current.

Judge the Expertise
Only professional backflow testing and repair services in Elgin, Illinois can offer backflow testing and repairing services performed by certified testers. In most cases, those testers also have expertise in other plumbing services. It is essential to choose a professional tester. Therefore, choosing a professional company that can serve both purposes can save you time and effort.

Looking for a Cost-Effective Solution?
You should find out technicians who are specially trained to evaluate your plumbing system and offer necessary recommendations to minimize or avoid future test failure. Choose a backflow testing company that can not only conduct the test but also suggests you the necessary solution in case of water shutdown.

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Best Practices in Choosing the Right Sump Pump for Your Home

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How do you decide which sump pump is best for you?

There are several cheap units available in hardware stores but should you get them? As with other things, cheap units will cost you several hundred dollars more.

Does every home need a sump pump?

Every area doesn’t need a sum pump as per law. If your house hasn’t seen standing water for considerably long periods, a sump pump isn’t necessary. But if the house feels damp or has seen flooding, a sump pump should be considered. Apart from waterproofing, a sump pump will make the environment healthier and save any appliances or other possessions.

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But what is a sump pump?

This pump remains buried in a tub under the basement floor and collects and discharges water to prevent water from flooding the home. If you need to check before deciding to get a sump pump, plaster a few strips of plastic tape onto the wall and leave it in there for two-three days. Do this in several places and when you peel off the plastic layer, a wet wall will tell you what you seek to know.

In modern constructions, the pump is fed by drain lines placed under the house and around the foundation wall. In earlier constructions, retrofit pumps were used that had drain lines feeding the pump.
Irrespective of the type, the sum pump works to keep the water from flooding the house.

Which type of pump should you buy?

There are two types of pumps: Pedestal and Submersible
• Manual or automatic – choose which type of pump you would prefer. Manual may save you money, but automatic is better.
• Float type – tether or vertical.
• Housing material – cast iron, stainless steel, thermoplastic, aluminum, etc. Probably the stronger the housing, the better the unit.
• Gallons per hour flow – if you live with a high water table, or where there is a lot of rain, more gallons per hour are important.
• Backup and alarm systems – what you prefer will be based on your lifestyle.
• Motor amps – like the vacuum cleaner, the higher the amperage the stronger the motor. Consider 12amps, but fewer than 10amps would probably not serve you long.
• Horsepower – the most popular units, and those recommended by most professionals, are 1/2 to 1/3HP. For minor problems, there is no need to go overboard.
• Discharge port size. A 2″ pipe is usually the largest you can find.
• Price range. Again, you get what you pay for. Online you can find a good cast-iron submersible, 1/2HP unit, with a vertical float, for $200 – $300. Shop around and purchase when you find the best fit.
These are some of the points to keep in mind when looking for a sump pump.

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Barrington, Illinois – Clogged Drains and Pipes What You Should Know

Plumbing issues are like pests that sometimes will not go away easily.

Barrington, Illinois – A clogged drain can occur anywhere and anytime. Some problems can be solved without calling a professional plumbing service. Most experienced plumbing companies can detect the root cause of a clogged drain in a few minutes.

If the clog is not a massive obstruction they can usually unclog the drain within a couple of hours. However, this is not always the case.

Either way, it is always good to have the experience of a professional. This will help you understand what the main reason is behind the clogged drain so you can prevent it from happening again.

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Grease: Cooking oils and greases generally stick to kitchen drains & pipes. Hair grease starts in the bathroom drains. If grease is not removed quickly then it can attach itself to any surface and become hard. This would be a good time to call in professional plumbing service to unclog your drains. Schedule regular maintenance to eliminate problems in the future.

Hair: One of the most common things found in a drain is hair. It clogs a drain almost instantly. This is when draining anything becomes troublesome. Hair and skin oils and lotions can be problematic for your drains.

If possible, always cover your shower and bath drain with a filter or screen. In addition to using organic products, this can help the drain to remain clear.

Do You Suffer from Clogged Drains in Barrington, Illinois?

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Food: It is not surprising to know that food can cause a lot of harm to your pipes and drains. All food pieces can potentially obstruct your drains and pipes. It takes more than water flow to break down food. As we all know this can lead to a bad situation. Making a bad problem worst is not a good idea. Always call professional help to unclog your drains and avoid using drains as garbage disposals.

Paper: Several types of paper are out there. Some claim they dissolve (not), and some have plastics and other dangerous materials in them. Always use toilet paper in the bathroom and paper towels in the kitchen. Napkins & diapers do not belong in the bathroom. Keep all facial tissues; wet towels, wet wipes, and anything other than toilet paper out of the toilet.

Bath Salts: Pampering your body after a tiring day can be invigorating for your mind and body but not your drains. To eliminate the chances of a clogged drain, it is better not to use bath salt. It does not dissolve in water easily and can lead to a clogged drain.

It can be almost impossible for a homeowner to avoid a clogged drain, but preventive measures can stop a bad problem from becoming worse. If you need a drain unclogged in or near Barrington, Illinois Call fox valley plumbing & backflow.

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Best practices When Choosing and Installing a Tankless Water Heater in Schaumburg, Il

Choosing and Installing a Tankless Water Heater

Are you interested in installing a tankless water heater in your home? If so, you’ll want to know the requirements for tankless water heaters, installation tips, and the benefits of tankless water heaters before making your decision.

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than their counterparts. This is because they don’t have to store heated water and reheat it when needed. They provide hot water on demand! They also save you money by being able to use cold water to generate hot water on a whim – no need to run gallons of tap water through a hot-water tank waiting for it to reach the desired temperature. And when used in combination with solar panels, they’re even more energy efficient!

Installation Tips

Tankless water heaters are very simple to install. This is perfect for do-it-yourself enthusiasts who love tackling projects from start to finish. Installation usually takes no more than an hour or two and can be done on your own with simple tools like a wrench and an open flame source such as a propane torch or welding equipment.

elgin-il-tankless-water-heater

Choosing the right tankless water heater

Finding a reliable and dependable water heater is crucial, that’s why at Fox Valley Plumbing, we specialize in tankless water heaters. We offer a wide range of options to fit any home.

Tankless water heater installation

At Fox Valley Plumbing, we take pride in our workmanship. We will make sure to install your new tankless water heater correctly to ensure it’s long-lasting and dependable.

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