Design Comfort Blog: Archive for the ‘Water Heaters’ Category

Should You Choose a Tankless Water Heater for Your Home?

Monday, November 22nd, 2021

tankless-water-heater-on-green-tiled-wallIf there is any home comfort system in the modern home that people tend to take for granted–as unintentional as that is–it’s likely the water heater. Even though this is the most often used appliance in the average home, you likely don’t give yours a whole lot of thought, unless something goes wrong with it. Then, when something is amiss with the system, the next question is “do I repair it or replace it?”

The answer to that question is really in its age. If you have a newer water heater and this is the first time it’s needed a repair, then that’s likely the best course of action. If yours is edging on a couple of decades in age though, and it’s needed repairs more and more frequently, it’s time to replace.

Let’s say you’re in the latter camp, what next? You may have always had a traditional, storage tank water heater in your home, but this doesn’t mean it’s what you have to stick with. There are benefits to staying with a tank model, and we’ll talk about that below, but you might do well to consider a tankless water heater installation instead. Read on to learn more!

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Have You Scheduled Water Heater Maintenance This Year?

Monday, November 8th, 2021

hot-steamy-water-coming-out-of-faucetWhen we’re talking about essential components to your modern home, the water heater tops the list. This system allows you and your family to comfortably shower, wash dishes, wash clothes, and more. Since it’s so important, we hope that you’re scheduling regular maintenance for it, so our professionals can thoroughly inspect it and repair it as needed.

Your water heater came with a manufacturer’s guide, which will tell you how often maintenance is needed for your specific system, but a good rule of thumb is to go no longer than a year between maintenance appointments. So if you haven’t scheduled yours for this year yet, now is the time! But why does this matter so much? What actually happens during water heater maintenance that makes it such a vital service? Read on to find out!

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Signs That Your Water Heater Needs Professional Help

Monday, April 12th, 2021

water-around-base-of-water-heaterNo matter what season it is here in the Salt Lake City area, and no matter what the temperature it is outside, there is one home comfort system that you need to consistently work each and every day—your water heater. This is one of those systems that’s really easy to take for granted. After all, do you ever think about how you get the hot water to your taps whenever you need it?

Consider the amount of strain a water heater goes under. It operates 365 days a year. You can’t expect it to work reliably 100% of that time. Of course, it’s a lot less likely that you’ll have surprise repair needs if you invest in routine water heater maintenance. We recommend this once a year for tank water heaters, and perhaps less often for tankless systems, depending on a few factors. But even with maintenance, it’s important to know the signs that you’re in need of water heater repair and your system needs our professional help. Read on to learn what these signs are!

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The Great Water Heater Debate: Tank or Tankless?

Monday, March 29th, 2021

faucet-with-hot-water-coming-outWater heaters are one of those home comfort systems that are really easy to take for granted, right? We rely on this part of our plumbing system the most, but if they’re out of sight they’re pretty much out of mind—until something goes wrong.

And when something does go wrong, you might find yourself scrambling to replace that water heater. It’s very tempting, when doing so, to get the exact same make and model that you had before, just for ease of the purchase. But what if rushing into this decision leaves you with a water heater that’s not very efficient for your household?

You might have always used a large tank water heater, but perhaps a tankless water heater will be best moving forward. Read on as we uncover the pros and cons of each, to help you make an educated decision about your next water heater installation.

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Does My Tankless Water Heater Need Maintenance?

Monday, November 9th, 2020

tankless-water-heaterYes, your tankless water heater needs maintenance from professionals, and it needs it every year—the same as other types of water heaters in Salt Lake City, UT. The reason we must address this question is tankless water heaters are often misleadingly advertised as “no maintenance” or “low maintenance.” This is false. Although you can expect a tankless water heater to last longer on average than a storage tank water heater (sometimes around 20 years), that doesn’t mean it can skip maintenance. If you want your tankless water heater to last for as long as possible, it must have yearly professional maintenance.

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Is Your Household in Need of a Water Heater Upgrade?

Monday, April 27th, 2020

smiling-technician-holding-clipboard-and-standing-in-front-of-water-heaterIf there’s any appliance that’s taken for granted in the average American home, we’re going to go ahead and say it’s the water heater. Without this system, you wouldn’t be able to begin your day with a hot shower, wash your clothing, or effectively clean and sanitize your dishes. A reliable source of hot water is essential to your modern quality of life!

Of course, no water heater lasts forever. When it comes time to replace or upgrade yours, we’ll help you find the best one for your specific needs. Homeowners often assume that if they have a tank water heater, their only option is to replace it with another tank water heater—but tankless is an option too! Regardless of which system you choose to upgrade to, it’s important to know the signs that you’re ready for a water heater upgrade—in other words, the signs that your current water heater is about to fail.

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Signs Your Water Heater Is in Disrepair

Monday, December 23rd, 2019

tank-water-heaterNo matter the season, no matter where you live, no matter who you are… there is one system in your home you’ll always need and probably take for granted. That’s your water heater! It’s easy to just accept that your taps will always provide hot water when it’s needed—but the truth is this is only possible if your water heater is properly cared for.

Think about it—your water heater goes through a lot of stress to make cleaning, bathing, and cooking possible. At some point, you’ll need to have your water heater professionally maintained—we recommend this once a year—and at some point still you may need water heater repairs. But how will you know this is the case?

Read on to discover some of the signs of a water heater in disrepair, and should you suspect something is amiss with your water heater, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!

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Is It Time to Replace Your Water Heater?

Monday, June 10th, 2019

residential-water-heaterAnd, should you upgrade to tankless? Well, maybe.

Stick around and we’ll share with you not only the biggest signs that your tank water heater is about to call it quits—but some of the benefits and drawbacks of going tankless. A tankless water heater installation isn’t the right choice for every home, but it can be a great choice for many. Keep reading to learn more!

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Defeating Water Heater Obstacles: Hard Water

Monday, November 26th, 2018

hot-water-faucetYou may have heard the term hard water at some point or another, but maybe don’t know what it actually is. Hard water is water that has a high presence of minerals in it—namely, calcium and magnesium. These minerals are harmless to your health, but the same cannot be said for your plumbing system. Your pipes and your quality of life can suffer in a number of ways due to hard water. Here are some of them:

  • Hard water makes it hard for soap to lather, turning cleaning and showering into nuisance chores.
  • It leaves buildup on the inside of your pipes, which can lead to clogs and subsequent drop in water pressure.
  • It stains your laundry and leads to the quicker breakdown of your clothing and other washables.

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Why Do Tankless Water Heaters Need Maintenance?

Monday, September 3rd, 2018

tankless-water-heaterTank Water Heaters: They’re big, noticeable, often noisy, and seen in the majority of homes throughout the country.

With such a large presence, most people understand that these Salt Lake City water heaters need maintenance from time to time, particularly because these are often subject to scaling, which is the mineral buildup that you may hear evidence of (you’ll hear a clanging noise). Scaling causes issues with pressure, temperature, and even corrosion, leading tank water heaters to often need flushing to offset the problem.

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