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How much More Does Hot Water Cost You than Cold Water?

That hot morning shower may cost more than you realize. Everybody understands that they pay for the water itself because the “water” bill comes every month. But, the cost to make the water warm and toasty gets lost in power bill. Trust me, it’s there and it’s costly, especially if you have teenage daughters. Here are four easy things you can do to lower this hidden cost.

1. Lower the thermostat(s) on your water heater to 120°F. Electric water heaters often have two thermostats, one each for the upper and lower heating elements. These should be adjusted to the same level to prevent one element from doing all the work and wearing out prematurely.

2. For electric water heaters, install a timer that can automatically turn the hot water off at night and on in the morning. A simple timer can pay for itself in less than a year. Install a heat trap above the water heater. A heat trap is a simple check valve or piping arrangement that prevents "thermosyphoning"—the tendency of hot water to rise up from the tank into the pipes thereby lowering standby losses.

3. Drain a quart of water from your hot water tank every three months to remove sediment that prevents heat transfer and lowers the unit's efficiency.

4. Take more showers than baths. Baths use the most hot water in an average household. You use 15 to 25 gallons of hot water for a bath and less than 10 gallons for a five-minute shower.

Better yet, give us a call at 706.405.2311. We can service your current water heater to make it more efficient for you!  Let us show you how to save money today!

 

The Biggest Threat to Your Home is Inside It

Many homeowners worry about water damage from heavy rainstorms, yet few ever think about potential trouble spots in their own plumbing. Unlike the weather, plumbing-related water damage can be avoided with routine maintenance and a little assistance from a professional plumber.

Water leaks can happen anywhere in the house, but they occur most frequently in the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry rooms. Early detection of problems in these areas can mean the difference between a simple mop-up job and major construction repairs.

Dishwasher - Periodically check under the sink to see if the hose connection to the water supply line is secure and is not leaking. Check around the base of the dishwasher for evidence of leaks. Look for discolored, warped or soft flooring materials or water damage to nearby cabinets.

Refrigerator – If your refrigerator has an icemaker, check the hose connection to make sure it is securely attached to the water supply line. The wet spot you see on the floor near the refrigerator may be melted ice cubes or it may be a crimped icemaker line about to burst.

Sink – Recaulk around sinks and pay attention to slow-draining pipes. This may indicate a partially blocked drain. Check the pipes under the sink for signs of water leaks.

Showers, Tubs and Toilets – Discoloration or soft areas around floors and walls nearby may be your first indication there is a leak somewhere. Check caulking around the sink, shower, and tub for additional softening.

Of course, as some experts recommend, you could have a yearly safety inspection, too! To schedule yours, simply call 706.405.2311!

During an inspection, one of our friendly and skilled technicians will carefully examine your pipes, toilets, fixtures, and every square inch of your plumbing system! He will ensure that nothing is on the verge of breaking down… causing you a big and expensive mess. And remember, we’re The Punctual Plumber, “If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay.®“

 

 

Funny Tasting Water: Does Your Water Taste Like Dirty Socks?

Even though we enjoy one of the best drinking water supplies in the world, water that meets all EPA standards can still have problems you and your family find objectionable.

Such as water that tastes or smells like dirty socks.

Water quality can differ from city to city, well to well, even home to home. It’s possible your water quality may not be the same as your next door neighbor’s. Finding the causes and solutions for drinking water problems, and the ideal water quality "fit" for your personal needs are simple with the proper information.

If your drinking water doesn’t meet your family’s quality standards, the problem usually can be solved either at the point-of-use or point-of-entry.

Common drinking water problems:

Iron -It takes just a trace of iron in water to cause trouble. Iron, in amounts of only 0.2 to 0.3 parts per million, can stain plumbing fixtures and laundry. In larger amounts, the water itself may appear rust colored and taste extremely unpleasant...some might even say it tastes like dirty socks.

Cloudy Water - When dissolved in water, some materials create an unappealing cloudiness that is far from the clear liquid most people prefer. Besides being unpleasant to look at and drink, cloudy water may contain minerals or particles which may erode pipes and stain sinks, plumbing fixtures, and clothing.

Naturally Occurring Contaminants - Some contaminating elements may occur naturally in water. These elements include radium, barium, and cadmium.

Man-Made Contaminants - Health-related contaminants from sources such as pesticides, industrial waste, landfills, underground storage tanks, and human and animal waste have been found in some private and public water supplies. When man-made contaminants are found, a local water utility usually brings in the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to help deal with the problem.

If your water smells funny or you just think it should taste better, call 706-405-2311 and a skilled and friendly plumber will come out to your home and perform a safety inspection of your home’s water. He can share with you if he finds any contaminants, and if so, what you can do to eliminate them!