Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Water Heaters’ Category

Should I Replace My Old Tank Water Heater with a Tankless One?

Thursday, January 29th, 2015

Water heaters can sometimes have a bad reputation, particularly when it comes to energy efficiency. There have been a number of advancements in the plumbing industry over the last decade that have helped water heaters become much more efficient, and one such advancement has been the advent of the tankless water heater. Tankless water heaters have made such a splash that many homeowners are wondering: should I switch to a tankless water heater? The best way to decide this is to understand the capabilities of a tankless water heater and see if it fits your hot water needs in Oviedo.

How a Tankless Water Heater Works

Tankless systems are often called “on demand” because they don’t hold hot water in a tank to be used; instead, they heat water almost instantaneously when a hot water tap is opened in your home. A tankless system can accomplish this because it uses a component called a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger starts as soon as hot water is called for; the cold water flows through the heat exchanger where heat is transferred to the water, heating it for use. The heated water then flows to the open tap.

Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless systems offer a few benefits worth considering:

  • Space-savers – tankless water heaters are much smaller than storage tank water heaters, freeing up space that would normally be taken up by the water tank.
  • Always have hot water – with a tankless system, you can’t run out of hot water because the water operates on demand.
  • Better energy efficiency – a tankless water heater uses up to 30% less energy to generate hot water, making tankless water heaters very energy efficient.
  • Longer lifespan – tankless water heaters have an average lifespan of 20 years as compared to a tank water heater, which have an average lifespan of 10-13 years.

If you are considering the replacement of your tank water heater in Oviedo with a tankless water heater, call the experts who can help you every step of the way: Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.

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Is Rust a Sign I Need Water Heater Repair?

Tuesday, January 6th, 2015

Rust on anything is evidence of corrosion that has developed from excess moisture, which typically isn’t a good thing. When it comes to water heaters, the big question is: where is the rust located? The reason this question is important is that there is a big difference between rust being only on the outside of your water heater or on the inside. This does not mean that rust on the outside of a water heater is a good thing, but it is better than rust coming from the inside.

Sacrificial Anode

Water and metal are usually a bad combination, but there are a lot of instances where the two have to come together. When it comes to water heaters, there are two ways in which the process of corrosion via rust is inhibited: first, by insulated lining in the water tank and second, by a component known as the sacrificial anode. As its name suggests, the sacrificial anode’s job is to attract the electrolytes that help create corrosion. Sacrificial anodes are made of highly active metals, so the anode is the part that will corrode first out of all of the water heater’s components. This is done purposefully so that the less active metals that comprise the water heater won’t rust and corrode.

So What If You See Rust?

This is where you need to see where the rust is. Sacrificial anodes have an average lifespan of about 6 years. Once the anode is fully rusted, the electrolytes inside the tank will likely move on to other parts of your water heater.

Rust Prevention

So what can you do to help prevent rust and know the state of your sacrificial anode? One of the best ways is to schedule annual water heater maintenance. During a water heater maintenance appointment, all the components of your water heater are checked, including the anode; if the anode is rusty, it can be replaced during the appointment. Flushing your water heater twice a year also helps, as it removes any built-up sediment and bacteria in the tank.

If you are seeing rust on your water heater, and aren’t sure if it’s coming from a problem inside the tank or outside, it’s best to play it safe and make an appointment for water heater repair in Winter Park, FL. The experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc., can help with any water heater issue you may have, so call us today!

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What Is the Difference Between Hybrid Water Heaters and Other Water Heaters?

Wednesday, November 12th, 2014

You may be surprised to learn that there are several different options available to homeowners looking to find a new water heater near Apopka, FL. You’re probably most familiar with the traditional storage tank water heater, which relies on a large tank and the heat rising principle to heat water. A long tube sends cool water down to the bottom of the tank, where a burner or electric heating element then heats up the water. Hot water naturally rises to the top of the tank and is sucked through a tube and brought into the pipes when you turn on a hot water tap in the home.

For people with gas-powered storage tank water heaters, particularly with high-efficiency systems, this can be a rather efficient way to heat up water. A storage tank water heater must stay on throughout the day to keep hot water available. This means that there is a lot of standby energy loss; energy is used all day to heat water that you will only use a few times a day. However, natural gas is generally less costly than electricity. If your water heater can only run on electricity, you may end up spending a lot more, unless you choose another type of unit.

Many people who rely on electricity to heat up water choose a tankless water heater. A tankless water heater instead heats up the water on demand, sending water through a heat exchanger which begins to heat up as soon as you turn on a hot water tap and turns off immediately after you’re finished. Still, some people are dissatisfied with tankless units because they can take a long time to heat up water. Besides, you may need multiple tankless units to accommodate large households, at a much higher cost.

Enter the hybrid water heater. This is a traditional storage tank water heater with a twist: it uses a heat pump to heat up the water. A heat pump is a device that moves heat from one area from another. In this case, the water heater uses a fan to draw in air from the surrounding area. An evaporator coil contains refrigerant which absorbs heat from the air. As refrigerant moves through the compressor, it’s heated up even more. It then flows through a heat exchanger so it can heat up the water in the tank. This is a far more energy efficient way to produce heat and keep hot water available at all times.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) has a wide variety of water heaters available, including traditional units, tankless water heaters, hybrid systems, and even solar-powered units. Call us today to find the perfect water heater for your home in Apopka, FL.

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Water Heater Repair Question: Does My Water Heater Need Flushing?

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

Without a working water heater, your dishes would not be as clean, your clothes’ stains might linger, and your showers would be miserable. That’s why it’s important to maintain your unit and keep up with any water heater repair needs that may come up. One major problem that may occur with water heaters is mineral buildup in the tank. But this problem can be prevented if you call a repair technician to flush your heater. So how can you tell your water heater needs flushing?

One of the most obvious signs that your unit may need to be flushed out is a rattling sound inside of the tank. This sound may indicate that sediment has built up inside of your unit and needs draining before it becomes a problem. When you call for water heater repair, the technician will use the unit’s drain valve to empty the water and sediment from the tank. But don’t try this on your own. A rattling sound may indicate something else, such as a problem with the pressure in the tank, and you’ll want a technician to take a look at the pressure valve just in case.

Sediment in the tank may not cause problems as long as you get the unit flushed out early, but rust is a different issue entirely. If you notice rusty-colored water when you turn on a hot water tap, this cannot be solved with a simple flush. This likely indicates one of two problems. The anode rod that prevents rust from building up in the tank may have worn through, meaning you need a simple part replacement that a technician can take care of quickly, but it may also mean the tank is rusting, a problem which usually requires water heater replacement.

Want to avoid these problems altogether? Scheduling regular water heater maintenance with a technician is the best way to do so. During maintenance, a technician will clean and inspect your unit and check for problems such as a rusty anode rod. Your tank will also be flushed, a maintenance step that is recommended every one to three years. But when sediment or other problems in the tank indicates that you need water heater repair in Orlando, FL, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) today!

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How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

The development and spread of tankless water heaters has given homeowners the advantage of always having enough hot water to meet their needs. Where the standard storage water heater keeps a standby tank of water ready for use that can run out before more water can heated up, a tankless system is an “on-demand” water heater that heats up water as it is needed, and therefore has no supply that can run out. Tankless systems also use less energy and will pay for their installation after a couple of years.

Despite all their advantages, tankless water heaters will not work ideally for all household. Call the Maitland, FL water heater experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) to schedule an appointment to learn more about how well one of these advanced home comfort system will work for you.

The Operation of a Tankless Water Heater

People often initially find the concept of a water heater without a tank to be strange and hard to understand. But tankless water heaters are not terribly complicated.

The basics of a tankless system is a heat exchanger that transfers heat from a power source (either electric or gas) to the water in the pipes. The exchanger in the tankless water heater turns on whenever water starts to flow through the heater. A whole-house tankless water heater is connected onto the water main, so all water entering the home must pass through the system. Whenever your turn on a hot water tap, water begins to flow and the heat exchanger comes on, heating up the water as you need it.

There is one drawback to this, which you might have noticed from the description: there is a delay between the when the water receives heat from the heat exchanger and when it reaches the tap. For larger houses, the lag can be greater for a tankless water heater than it would be for a standard storage system.

Tankless systems are also available in point-of-use models, smaller units that attach to individual taps. They have little lag time, and in some cases are more cost-effective.

Tankless water heaters need professional installation. When you call up the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI), we will help you determine if a tankless water heater in Maitland, FL, whether whole-house or point-of-use, is a good choice for you based on your hot water needs, the number of people in your home, and your budget plans. We will also assist with selecting the best power source for the system, and then install it so you will receive a steady supply of hot water to keep you and your family comfortable for many years.

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The Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

Monday, July 21st, 2014

When you first hear about the existence of a “tankless” water heater, the idea may sound a bit too strange to be true. Because we are so accustomed to thinking of a water heater as a large metal tank where water is kept hot for immediate use, it is difficult to break away to the idea of heating up the water as it runs through the pipes, which is essentially what a tankless water heater does. The device is attached to the water main, and uses a heat exchanger to warm up the water as it passes through.

If it sounds intriguing, you should know that a tankless water heater is far more than a neat gimmick. It can serve some useful purposes that will make life more convenient and save you money. Although not ideal for every home, we encourage you to look into a tankless water heater in Sanford, FL for your next installation. Call our water heater experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for more details.

Why Go Tankless? Here Are 3 Reasons:

  • Never run out of hot water: That’s right… if you live in a household where somebody has to go with a lukewarm shower every morning, a tankless water heater is a great solution. Tankless systems heat up water “on demand,” activating the heat exchanger when a tap comes on demanding hot water. Because there is no standing supply in a tank that can be depleted before the system can heat up more, you won’t run out of hot water!
  • Save energy: The standard storage water heater is a “standby” system that keeps water ready constantly for use. This is an advantage when you want hot water without having to wait, but it also means that the water heater must remain on continually to replace heat loss and keep the water hot. This translates into large expenditures on utility bills. But tankless systems only heat up water when you need it, and they do not use energy at other times. You will cut down significantly on your heating bills with the installation of a tankless system.
  • Longevity: The stress of holding large amounts of water and continually using electricity or natural gas to keep that water heated eventually will take its toll on a storage water heater. Tankless systems in general will last many years longer because of the reduced amount of stress placed on them.

Tankless systems are more expensive to install upfront than storage systems. However, they compensate with their energy-efficiency and longevity. Check with a water heater installation expert to find out of the energy savings will offset the costs of purchasing the system. In some cases, a storage water heater is a better choice, but you may be surprised to learn how much you can save in the long run with installation of a tankless system.

Since 1975, Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) has installed and serviced water heaters in Central Florida. Count on us to help you with installation and care for a tankless water heater in Sanford, FL. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.

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3 Common Water Heater Repairs

Thursday, July 10th, 2014

A well-installed and maintained water heater can sometimes last up to 20 years, which is a great bargain on an initial investment. But to reach a grand old age like this, a water heater also needs to have repairs done as soon as problems start to emerge. With fast action and a trained technician who knows how to handle any water heater problem, you can stop a malfunction from growing and threatening your entire hot water supply.

At Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI), we have almost four decades of experience with water heater repair in Casselberry, FL and all of Central Florida. When you call us for repairs (and we have staff ready 24/7 for emergencies), you will get top-of-the-line work from technicians who keep on the edge of plumbing technology.

These are 3 of the more common repairs that we do to help water heaters reach their full lifespan:

1. Flushing the tank

This is a standard step that is done as part of annual maintenance. However, it is often a necessary repair. Sediment build-up in the water tank can lead to problems with blocked valves, and will also encourage the development of scale along the inside of the tank and lead to overheating. If you notice discoloration in your water, or you hear rumbling from the tank, call for repair professionals; they will see if flushing the tank will fix the problem.

2. Replacing broken dip tube

The dip tube carries fresh, cold water from the municipal system down into the tank of a water heater and deposits it at the bottom, near the heating elements/heat exchanger, where it receives energy to heat it and then rise to the top of the tank. If the dip tube breaks, cold water will start to gather at the top of the tank and mix with the heated water, resulting in a drop in the water temperature from your faucets and showerheads and causing you to run out of hot water earlier than usual. To fix this, technicians will open up the tank and replace the broken tube.

3. Replacing burnt-out heating elements

In an electric-powered water heater, two heating elements inside the tank directly transfer heat to the water. Like any electrical device, these elements can fail. If the temperature of your hot water turns lukewarm, it may be the fault of a broken heating element in the tank. Repair technicians can replace the burnt-out element with a new one.

Do not try to perform repairs on your own without proper training and tools—especially for gas-powered water heaters. Instead, call on the people who can perform the job fast and accurately: Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI). We are ready to help you with your water heater in Casselberry, FL when you need it. Give us a call today to set up an appointment.

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Noises That Indicate a Need for Water Heater Repair

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Even with the best maintenance done on a top-of-the-line model, no water heater can ever be 100% free from repair issues. At some point, you may need to call for technicians to investigate trouble with your water heater when you notice a drop in the temperature of the water, spot rusty discoloration coming from the taps, or find that you are running out of hot water sooner than you used to.

There are other warning indications that you need work done to protect your hot water supply, such as unusual noises emanating from the water heater. Here are a few of the common warning noises that water heaters will make that indicate it is time to call for repair technicians. For a prompt response and quality work on your water heater in Sanford, FL, make the call to Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI). We have handled the plumbing needs of Central Florida since 1975.

A Few of the Common Water Heater Warning Sounds

  • Rumbling: When the water heater tanks starts to rumble, a noise that people often associate with a tank that’s about to burst, it could mean a number of issues. It’s possible that there is a fault in the mixing valve, or a broken dip tube, which will allow cold and warm water to mix. It could also point to an increase in sediment along the bottom of the tank that has so significantly reduced volume in the tank that the water has started to overheat. Either situation is serious and needs trained technicians on the job right away.
  • Popping: This noise can come from excess water pressure, and you should immediately check the pressure on the tank. If adjusting the pressure doesn’t alleviate the popping sound, call for repair technicians immediately.
  • Hissing and whistling noises: There are some innocuous reasons for these sounds to occur…but enough bad reasons that you should definitely call for repairs, especially since one possibility for these noises is a dangerous increase in water pressure.
  • Running water that won’t stop: This is probably trouble with the pressure release valve; if this occurs in an older water heater, it is usually a sign that it is time for a replacement unit.

Our plumbers at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) can handle whatever issues you may have with your home’s water heater in Sanford, FL. We also offer water heater installation of a wide range of water heater options, including tankless, hybrid, and solar options. Make us your first choice for all your water heater and plumbing needs. Contact us today to schedule your next water heater service.

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3 Common Types of Water Heater Repair

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

People often take their home’s hot water supply for granted…until something goes wrong with it. As durable as manufacturers make water heaters today, the appliances can still suffer from wear and tear and malfunctions that will eventually lead to repair needs. You can help prevent repairs with regular maintenance, but you may still need to call for technicians to assist you with the work that will restore your water heater.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) specializes in water heater repair in Sanford, FL. Whenever you find that you are running low on hot water or the water no longer seems as hot as it should be, call our staff right away. We have 24-hour emergency service for your convenience.

Here are some of the common water heater repair jobs that we perform:

1. Fixing broken dip tubes

The dip tube carries cold, fresh water from the municipal supply down through the tank of the water heater and to the bottom where the heat exchanger transfers energy from the combustion jets. As the water warms, it rises back to the top of the tank. If the dip tube breaks off, it will deposit cold water at the top of the tank, where it will mix with the heated water. A broken dip tube is the most common reason for a sudden decrease in the supply of hot water, but is also a simple job for technicians to fix.

2. Restoring a faulty burner

Gas-powered water heaters can encounter problems in their burner, much like those in a gas furnace. Rust in the burner or dirt across its surface can lead to it having trouble igniting, and low gas flow or blockage in the line can also lead to a loss of heating power. As with any repair issue connected to natural gas, you should never attempt this work on your own due to the health risk involved. Only trust the job to experienced technicians.

3. Replacing failed heating elements

Electric water heaters use two heating elements inside the tank to raise the temperature of the water. If one of the elements burns out, the water temperature will decrease and you’ll experience lukewarm water from your taps and showerheads. Repair technicians can open the tank and replace the broken element.

Don’t let any reduction in your home’s hot water go without attention. Call for Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) as soon as you notice a problem. We will bring our almost four decades of experience to the task to restore your hot water as soon as possible. When it comes to water heater repair or other plumbing services in Sanford, FL, place your trust in us.

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Reasons for a Lack of Hot Water in Your Home

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Thanks to the miracle of indoor plumbing, we take for granted a constant supply of water, and a constant supply of hot water, into our homes. But when the level of hot water you expect on a day-to-day basis starts to drop, you may have a problem in the water heater. Instead of simply accepting less hot water (a problem that will almost certainly worsen), call for professional water heater repair in Orlando, FL.

Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) has worked with residential water heaters of all types since 1975, and our team of experts can restore your hot water supply to the level you need.

Water heater malfunctions that can lead to a reduced hot water supply

  • Broken dip tube: The dip tube carries cold water from the water main into the heater. The tube runs into the top of the water tank and carries the water to the tank’s bottom, where the heat exchanger/heating elements are located. As the water from the dip tube heats up, it rises to the top of the tank where a pump sends it to the rest of the house. But if the tube breaks, the cold water will gather at the top of the tank, and the heater will start supplying less hot water. Technicians will need to replace the dip tube.
  • Malfunctioning burners/heating elements: For gas-powered water heaters, a burner supplies the hot combustion gas to raise the water’s temperature. If the burner begins to fail because of grime, low gas-pressure, an intermittent pilot light, or a broken igniter, less heat will enter the tank. With an electric water heater, two heating elements inside the tank supply the energy to raise the temperature. If one fails, the amount of hot water in the tank will plunge.
  • Leaking: If leaks develop along the connectors to the tank, on the tank itself, or in any of the pipes, the water supply will drop. This is a major problem that threatens the water heater and can lead to water damage in your home. Whenever you begin to lose hot water, make a visual inspection of the water heater to look for water pooling around it. Call for repairs immediately before the problem grows worse and you may need to have the system replaced.

Something else to keep in mind: water heaters have a lifespan of 12–15 years depending on their model. Once a water heater goes past its estimated lifespan, it will begin to deteriorate due to age and lose its efficiency. When you notice a reduction in hot water due to an old water heater, it’s probably time to schedule a replacement.

Whatever water heater repair in Orlando, FL you need done, look to Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI), a trusted name in plumbing service for almost 40 years. Give us a call today.

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