New Water Heater Standards Go into Effect April 16

March 31st, 2015

Big changes are coming for water heaters this month: The U.S. Department of Energy has created a new mandate for residential water heater efficiency standards that will go into effect on April 16, 2015. This mandate will require a higher energy factor on all almost all residential gas, electric and tankless water heater systems. Our team at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) would like to share this important information with you and explain how it may affect your future water heater needs, service and installations.

What is “energy factor”?

Energy factor, or EF, is how efficiently a water heater converts the power sent to it into actual hot water. The higher the EF, the less energy is lost in the process. EF is listed as a fraction of a hundred, so a water heater with 0.85 EF converts 85% of its energy into hot water, and loses 15%. If you do not know what the EF of your current water heater is, contact a professional.

What are the new regulations?

The Department of Energy’s new mandate is a result of the National Appliance Energy Conservation Act (NAECA), and it restricts manufacturers from producing new units that do not live up to the new standards. The majority of water heaters must have higher EF than previous: each type of water heater has a different regulation change.

How this will affect your home’s water heater

Although the restrictions prohibit manufacturers from producing water heaters that do not meet the new standards, contractors can still buy and install already existing water heaters after April 16. As a consumer, you do not have to stop using your current water heater if it does not meet the requirements. You can continue with maintenance as usual, and you regular technicians will still be allowed to handle routine inspections, adjustments, and repairs.

However, we strongly advise that you begin to think about your next water heater installation and how these new regulations will affect it. The long-term benefits of the new regulations include helping you save energy and seeing that your water heater has increased performance over its lifespan. The experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) will be glad to help you navigate the new regulations and locate a water heater type that will match both your budget and your water heater needs.

Modern does have a limited stock of the 65 and 80 gallon electric heaters that will no longer be manufactured after April 16. If you currently have a 30-50 gallon electric lowboy heater the new models may not fit in your existing space. Once again we have some of these heaters in stock but they will not last long.

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Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. Presents Awards to the World Plumbing Day Poster Contest Winners!

March 27th, 2015

Our entire team here at MPI really enjoyed seeing all the submissions and enthusiasm for World Plumbing Day 2015.  We wanted to send out a special post showing the winners and their posters.  Check them out below and join us in congratulating them on a great job!

We love our Orlando area community and enjoy engaging with the youth about a topic we love, PLUMBING!  We’re already looking forward to 2016’s contest.  We will post details on our Facebook page in January, 2016…

 

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What to Consider before Water Heater Installation

March 25th, 2015

When it’s time for a new water heater it can be a bit stressful, especially if your older unit has broken down. Without any hot water, you may be tempted to let any technician into your home to remove the older unit and find a suitable replacement. But be aware: the water heater you purchase now may break down too soon or raise your bills significantly if you don’t have the right type of system for your home—and the right company for the job.

The Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) team will invest time in measuring your home, discussing your needs, and helping you to find the water heater that is best for everyone involved. Schedule water heater installation in Sanford, FL with one of our plumbers if you want friendly service from a name you can trust.

Things to keep in mind

Before you schedule water heater installation, there are a few things that you should know about water heaters.

  • An oversized or undersized system can be problematic. Make sure the technician is informed of your family’s hot water usage habit. A water heater that is too small may not get the job done, and a unit that is too big will use up a lot of energy over the years.
  • Affordable systems may actually cost you over time. Many homeowners feel that it’s important to save money initially when selecting a new water heater. However, inexpensive units are not usually as energy efficient as some of their competitors, and you’ll end up paying more in your monthly energy or utility bills. Select an ENERGY STAR rated water heater for optimal efficiency.
  • A tankless unit may be right for you. You may have heard that tankless water heaters use up less energy, as these heat up water instantly rather than storing hot water for later use. A tankless water heater is not right for every home, but it could be just what your family needs.
  • You can also install a hybrid heat pump water heater. You can also choose a hybrid heat pump water heater, one of the most efficient units out there because of its ability to move heat from place to place rather than generate it.

Call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) to further discuss your options for our professional water heater installation service in Sanford, FL with one of our trained professionals today.

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What’s Wrong with the Drain Cleaners Found in Stores?

March 18th, 2015

When you notice that your drains don’t seem to move as quickly as they once did, you may dread using the sinks or shower. When this happens, many homeowners turn to the drain cleaning solutions that they find in stores. The labels of these generally claim to remove clogs quickly and easily. But most plumbers warn: these liquids are not safe to use for your drains.

Professional drain cleaning involves the use of tools and methods known to be safe for your drainpipe. Call on the help of the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. to schedule your appointment in Oviedo with a drain cleaning specialist today.

The drain cleaning solutions that you’ll find on the shelves of hardware and grocery stores are actually quite dangerous. In fact, many experts say these are some of the most toxic chemicals readily available for purchase to the average consumer. Not only can they lead to injury of the skin and eyes, these may even damage the drainpipe itself.

In fact, many of these are fairly ineffective. Most tend to be effective at removing only some of the most common sources of clogs. Still, they leave behind traces of other debris that only leads to more clogs later on. And, they can only reach the blockage closest to the drain opening, and nothing that is too far along.

Professional drain cleaning is the way to go when it comes to eliminating the most common types of drain clogs. Experts use high quality inspection equipment to first determine the exact source of the clog. They use this equipment again afterwards to ensure that the clog is no longer present. During the process, they may rely on different tools for drain cleaning, depending on the severity of the blog. A drain snake, or drain auger, may have detachable parts. While a coiled end can latch onto a clog to rag it to the surface, a pointed end may help to break up blockage so it can move further down the drain.

Call the people at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for thorough drain cleaning services in Oviedo by professionals who only trust quality equipment for the job.

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2015 Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. World Plumbing Day Poster Contest Winners!

March 11th, 2015

We are pleased to announce the 2015 World Plumbing Day Poster Contest Winners! Thank you to all that entered, we love seeing the engagement from the youth in our community and we were very impressed with the entries this year!

The 1st Place Winners will receive the following awards and a $1,000 donation to their respective middle and elementary school!

1st Place – iPad and $500 towards future education

2nd Place – $250 towards future education

3rd Place – Orlando Magic Tickets

 

And the winners are…

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When Is the Right Time for Pipe Replacement?

March 11th, 2015

You probably don’t consider the condition of the pipes that make up your plumbing system until you encounter problems. This is true of most homeowners, but it can be problematic as there may be some existing issues of which you are unaware. When the pipes begin to leak, the damage may not be immediately apparent. You might not notice that water is slowly leaking onto your property until it’s too late and you have to renovate large portions of your home’s foundation.

Pay attention to the signs that your pipes are in trouble, such as water spots on the walls or ceilings and low water pressure, and call a technician for regular maintenance. During a maintenance visit, a technician will thoroughly inspect the plumbing system and let you know whether it is time for pipe replacement in Altamonte Springs.

  • Rust: One of the most pressing reasons for pipe replacement is rust. Rust leads to corrosion, which means that water will slowly leak from the pipes. It may ruin walls, beams, and carpeting, which is why replacement is necessary at the very earliest signs of rusting.
  • Old Age: Galvanized steel pipes are prone to corrosion. This was the material used for plumbing pipes before the 1970s, as the galvanization of the pipes—adding a layer of zinc for protection—was meant to guard against rust. Unfortunately, this layer can wear away within a few decades, which is why many plumbers recommend replacement even if you’re not currently experiencing problems with your galvanized steel pipes.
  • Tree Root Infiltration: If your pipes become too damaged, replacement becomes necessary. One of the reasons this may happen is if tree roots begin to infiltrate your sewer pipes. By nature, roots grow toward sources of water. They can wrap around the sewer pipes and crush them, causing sewage to leak into your yard and onto your property. In some cases, plumbers decide that the solution is to reroute the replacement pipes so that the problem does not present itself once more months or years later.

Call the professional plumbers at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) when you are in need of a quality pipe replacement service in the Altamonte Springs area.

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Hidden Problems that Could Affect Your Water Heater

March 4th, 2015

The way your water heater operates is actually rather simplistic. Hot water naturally rises over cold water, which has a higher density, and the design of a storage tank water heater takes advantage of this. Water heats up at the bottom of the tank as it enters and then rises to the top where it returns to your pipes after it exits through a small tube located at the top. Despite the relatively simple operation of this unit, it can still run into some common problems without the proper maintenance.

A tankless water is a little bit more complex, as a computer alerts the unit when to turn on and off. But tankless units can run into some of the same issues that storage tanks do. When you notice any of the following problems with your system, call Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for water heater repair. And be sure to call regularly for maintenance to prevent such trouble from occurring.

  • Rust – Unfortunately, rust often means that you need to replace your water heater. Rust leads to corrosion, and a leak in your water heater would be disastrous. However, sometimes, only one or two parts need replacement. Rust can afflict both a tankless or storage tank water heater, but yearly maintenance can help to prevent it.
  • Mineral Buildup – A large percentage of homes have a problem with “hard water.” Hard water means that there is an excess of minerals in the water, which can affect your plumbing system and your water heater. When too many minerals are in the tank, they can block the pipes and increase the pressure, leading to dangerous conditions in the tank. Technicians will flush the tank and may recommend a water softener for your water supply.
  • Improper Sizing – Another problem common to water heaters that sometimes leads to an early demise is improper sizing. Do you assume that running out of hot water quickly is a normal part of owning a water heater? It shouldn’t be. This often means that your water heater is too small. You may need a larger tank to get the heating you need, or you may need an additional tankless unit.

Call on the friendly folks at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for water heater repair in Casselberry or for an annual maintenance visit.

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Enterprise Donates $4,000 to Building Home for Heroes on Behalf of Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc.

March 3rd, 2015

BuildingHomesforHeroesModern Plumbing Industries, Inc. is extremely proud to have had $4,000 donated to Building Homes for Heroes by Enterprise on their and John Madison Landscape’s behalves. We are lucky to have such a wonderful organization to work with to benefit our local heroes in the military and armed forces.

We support our troops and our local community here in Orlando, Florida and we hope you will too. The men and woman of the armed forces give much of themselves for our country, we feel it’s our job to help give back. Here’s to our partners, Enterprise and John Madison Landscape, and an amazing charity organization in Building Homes for Heroes.

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How Backflow Prevention Protects You

February 25th, 2015

Most homeowners take for granted the fact that there is always reliable clean drinking water available in the home. You probably assume that clean water will flow from the faucet every time you turn it on, as your water supply goes through a very thorough municipal water supply treatment process before it reaches your home. But a plumbing system is so complex that the potential for backflow is unfortunately often present.

Protect your water supply by installing a backflow preventer at any potential cross connections, which we’ll go over in today’s guide, and keeping it maintained and tested by professionals. Call the experts at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for quality service from a certified plumber.

What Is Backflow Prevention?

Backflow prevention devices keep backflow from contaminating your water supply. Backflow occurs when there is a pressure imbalance somewhere in your plumbing system, which allows for the possibility of backsiphonage or back pressure. In either case, a source of cross contamination is introduced into the plumbing system, and there is a possibility that chemicals or wastewater may enter your plumbing system if the pressure in the water supply were to change.

A sudden drop in water pressure can occur for many reasons. Perhaps there was a break in the water main, or firefighters had to access a hydrant that drew from the supply. Other liquids may become drawn into the pipes, especially if a cross connection exists. And sometimes this backflow is hazardous.

Let’s say you put a hose into a bucket of soapy water. If the pressure in the water supply dropped, the soapy water could become sucked back into the water supply. This becomes far more dangerous when the cross contamination is a chemical or if dirty wastewater enters the potable supply. One example is if you have a boiler in the home. Boiler feedwater may contain chemicals unsafe for human consumption, which is why connections between boilers and the water supply are usually fitted with a backflow prevention device.

A backflow prevention device contains a one way valve in which water can only flow in one direction. Federal, state, and local codes require that you have a backflow prevention device installed at any potential source of a cross connection. While your municipality mandates the use of backflow preventers in many cases, it’s up to you to make sure it’s in good shape.

Call the technicians at Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. (MPI) for regular testing and maintenance of your backflow prevention device in Longwood to help keep your family safe from contamination.

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Will a Leaky Pipe Always Require Replacement?

February 16th, 2015

There are lots of items that fall under the guise of “home remedies” to fix leaking pipes. Some of these so-called fixes are sprays that turn into rubber while others are just the old standby: duct tape. Unfortunately, none of these home-grown remedies every really repairs anything and can actually contribute to more problems down the road. So to answer the question, “does a leak pipe always require replacement?” our answer is “yes”. To help you understand why pipe replacement in Sanford is important, we’d like to share some leak facts from the EPA WaterSense initiative for your consideration.

Water Leak Facts

It can be amazing how much a little drip there or a drop here can cost you, but these statistics don’t lie:

  • Household leaks average a loss of 10,000 gallons of water per year – if you pay for your water, you are paying for a whole lot of water that isn’t getting used.
  • Most, if not all, leaks can be eliminated when the problem plumbing sections are replaced correctly by professionals.
  • The most common leaks are: toilet bowl flappers, leaking valves and dripping faucets, all of which can be easily repaired by an expert.
  • A faucet that drips a droplet of water every second can waste over 3,000 gallons of water annually.
  • 10% of homes have an average loss of water of 90 gallons per day due to small leaks.
  • Replacing an old and/or inefficient toilet with a low-flow toilet can save you up to 13,000 gallons of water per year.
  • Have in-ground watering? A leak the size of a dime can waste over 6,000 gallons of water per month.

As you can see, even the smallest of leaks can cost you a significant amount of water, which translates into dollars with your monthly water bill. Additionally, these statistics do not take into consideration any water damage that can easily occur from the leaking water. The bottom line: if you have a leaky pipe, don’t spray it or tape it; instead, call an expert from Modern Plumbing Industries, Inc. and schedule an appointment for pipe replacement service for your Sanford home.

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