tankless water heater sonora ca Archives - Optimized Plumbing & Piping - sonora ca plumbing repair- plumbing contractor

November 22, 2017 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Fall and winter water heater tips

Fall and winter water heater tips from Optimized Plumbing & Piping Sonora, Ca

Its that time of year when we start getting calls from people with burnt out heating elements on their electric water heaters. Whether you are a full time resident who has drained down your water lines while out of town, or have a cabin you drain down to prevent freezing this post will help you to prevent dry fired heating elements in your electric water heater. If you have a gas water heater or tankless water heater it is a good reminder to maintain the water heater to preserve the high efficiency because of the colder water this time of year. Call us for maintenance, service or new water heater installations. 209-352-4294

The steps to draining down and refilling and starting electric water heaters is mixed up frequently and often causes burnt heating elements and service calls that would not be needed. Here are some tips:

Before draining down water lines turn off the electricity to your electric water heater this will prevent the burnt element at drain down
Once the power is off shut off the main water shutoff valve
With the water shutoff open the drain valve, and open all faucets, shower/ tub valves etc.
If you have a shower diverter open that too, to prevent trapped water in the shower riser
Flush all toilets (Some places will also require some care for drain lines, and I will write another blog post about these soon)

To refill the system when returning:

Shut off the drain valve
Open the main water valve
turn off the faucets and shower valves
run water through the hot water lines until all air is out. You will get some blast of air, then air and water, and then a steady stream of water.
turn on electricity to the water heaterMany people forget the bleeding of the air from their water lines, and the air that is trapped in the water heater moves to the top of the tank and has nowhere else to go until you open the hot water line to bleed the air. Turning on the electricity before the air is bled causes an element at the top of the tank to turn on and without water to take some of the heat will burn out quickly and not heat the water. This is called a dry fire, and requires replacement of the heating element.

Hopefully this helps you prevent the inconvenience and cost of a burnt out element. If you are in need of plumbing service in sonora ca or surrounding areas please call 209-352-4294

April 7, 2015 by Curtis McQuinn 1 Comment

Water Heater and Boiler Service in Sonora CA

Optimized Plumbing & Piping is Sonora, Ca based plumbing and water heating company capable of all aspects of the plumbing industry. We are proud to offer specialized skills in Water Heater Installation and Repair. Whether it is a Repair, Replacement, or an upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater, or any other energy efficient model….we can help! If you use hydronic heating or radiant floor heating we can provide boiler replacement too.

Call 209-352-4294 and ask if we are offering our $100 off water heater install coupon!

Our training sets us apart!

We are skilled in the installation and repair of all existing types and brands of Water Heaters currently on the market. We have level 2 training from Navien America to install or service their premium condensing tankless water heaters. We are certified from AO Smith to install heat pump water heaters. We have also taken classes from AO Smith University on residential gas and electric water heater installation and service. We participate in the California Solar Initiative and have gone through the training to make our customers eligible for rebates on solar water heaters. This is on top of the 5 years of classroom and on the job training our technicians have in the plumbing, and water heating industry. We think this makes us the most well trained company in the area, and you will see the difference in the quality of work and you can rest assured that our installations won’t put you or your family in danger.

Solar thermal ( Solar water heaters)

Solar water heaters consist of collector panels, a storage tank, pump, and a heat exchanger. The collectors heat a glycol solution that is circulated through them with a pump. That glycol solution moves to a heat exchanger which transfers the heat from the sun to you potable water and stores it in a tank for later use. Solar water heaters are great because they can save you a lot of money on energy bills, and they last for years.

Tankless water heaters

Tankless water heaters are a great way to save on your home energy cost, and condensing tankless water heaters are even better! A condensing tankless water heater can have an energy factor of .98 and is so efficient at using all of the heat generated by combustion that the flue pipe can be run in PVC pipe. Another energy saving feature is tunlike other tankless models where a pilot light must stay lit these models will light the flame electrically so no more wasted gas from a pilot light that always stays lit.

Navien tankless Water Heater. We are a Navien service provider, and installer. Only technicians who have completed a level 2 Navien training class or above may perform these installations.

Hybrid Electric Heat Pump Water Heater. We are certified residential hybrid installers. Reduce water heating costs by up to 66% compared to standard electric water heaters while dehumidifying, and cooling ambient air at the same time. *10 year warranty * Powered anode rod

Hybrid water heaters

Hybrid water heaters use a heat pump when possible to heat water more efficiently than standard electric water heaters. They come with a powered anode rod which means less maintenance, and a longer lifespan than a standard water heater. They are fully electric and require no gas connection or flue pipe. They are a great choice if you want to replace an old electric water heater with a new model because they can reduce heating costs by up to 66%.

Standard water heaters (tank water heaters)

Whether you want an electric water heater or gas water heater we only install good quality. All of our water heater installations use water heaters with brass fittings instead of plastic. This is because we believe if it needs to be done, it needs to be done right. You will find that the other materials we use are high quality as well whether it’s a gas valve and flex connector, or water shutoff valve and flex connectors we make sure you have good quality material installed to uniform plumbing code specifications to ensure years of trouble free use, and the safety of you and your family.

With our specialization in Water Heaters we have come to find most homes are in need of a Water Heater upgrade. These days there are many options to save you time and money when it comes to providing hot water for your family or business. Please call us Today to schedule your water heater installation at 209-352-4294. We provide water heater installations, and service for Tuolumne County, and Calaveras County, including the towns of Sonora, Twain Harte, Mi Wuk Village, Groveland, Copperopolis, Angels Camp, Murphys, Arnold, and San Andreas.

View our Water Heating solutions listed on the right side of this page. Also check out our on water heater problems and solutions.

http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/water-heater-problem/

Customer service is our top priority. We respect you and your property,and strive to have 5 star service for every customer. We do it all. If you do not see a service listed here please don’t hesitate to use our contact page to inquire about any other service you may need. Or click here

for more info: http://optimizedpiping.com/blog/sonora-ca-plumbers/

November 18, 2013 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Tankless water heater service Sonora CA

Tankless water heater service is something that most manufactures recommend on an annual basis. Optimized Plumbing & Piping is qualified to not only install tankless water heaters but also to service them. We can be reached at 209-352-4294 and are a full service plumbing contractor.

Each manufacturer is a little bit different but the common tankless water heater service we offer includes:

Wiping down the outside to prevent dust buildup that can clog combustion air filter.
Draining of the tankless water heater to remove any trapped particles.
Removing the water filter and cleaning it with water and brush if needed.
Removing and cleaning of the intake air filter. (Some manufacturers say this should be done every 3-4 months so most customers will want to do this in between annual tankless water heater service) This can be done on some models by locating it under the intake air duct, but above the fan. Removing the filter from the bottom of the intake air duct is done by removing the plastic assembly (sometimes there is a screw or 2). Once removed clean it with a toothbrush, air dry it, and then replace it.
The coils or heat exchanger are then flushed with a vinegar solution to remove mineral and sediment buildup. This buildup can reduce the efficiency of the tankless water heater or even prevent it from working properly.

In addition to these steps for tankless water heater service it is also a good idea to install a sediment filter on the cold water inlet pipe. This will prevent other costly maintenance issues and extend the life of your new tankless water heater. Without this annual tankless water heater service you could be reducing the efficiency and longevity that you were probably looking for when you purchased your unit. We are listed in the Navien tankless water heater website as a service provider and installer and can offer this service for any other brand on the market. You can find us on the Navien site at http://navienamerica.com/NssFinder/?zipcode=95370&distance=10&stype=s.

Optimized Plumbing & Piping is a Sonora, CA plumbing contractor and serves all parts of Tuolumne County, and Calaveras County including Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, San Andreas, Murphys, Arnold, Twain Harte, Mi Wuk village and Groveland. We also have Modesto CA plumbers who serve Stanislaus County including the towns of Modesto, Riverbank, and Oakdale.

Written by: Curtis McQuinn

October 15, 2013 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Solar water heating in Northern CA Benefits

Solar water heating in Northern CA has never been a better deal. Solar rebates are making this a great time to install a solar water heater in Northern CA Water heaters use about 20% of the energy consumed in the average American home. They are the second largest energy user in the home.(The first is space heating) They are also much cheaper to install than solar electric (photovoltaic) making them a great value for many homeowners, and even businesses especially areas where natural gas is absent like Sonora, Angels Camp, Copperopolis, Groveland etc.

A solar water heater in Northern CA homes can dramatically cut the amount you spend to heat water by using the energy of the sun instead of using fossil fuels. (Using electric water heaters also uses fossil fuels because 29-41% of the state’s electricity comes from burning natural gas). When you consider that water heating consumes the second largest amount of energy in the home, and the sun produces heat naturally it makes sense to harness the energy of the sun instead of paying high fuel prices. A solar thermal system can easily last 20 + years so the cost saving benefits last for years.

Things to look for when hiring a contractor to install a solar water heater in Northern CA.

*Licensed contractor

*Bonded and insured

*Part of the California solar initative program ( to qualify for rebates)

*Experience not only with plumbing, but with mechanical piping as well.

*Experience with hydronic heating.

(This is not the same as plumbing a standard water heater, but plumbing experience is necessary because some modifications may be needed to the existing plumbing system)

For more information about solar water heating in Northern CA contact Sonora plumbers at Optimized Plumbing & Piping. (209) 352-4294 We provide solar water heater installations in northern California, as well as Sonora plumbing service, and plumbers in Modesto CA. We are part of the California Solar Initative so you can receive any rebates available for solar water heating. We are also familiar with other energy efficient solutions for heating water including high efficiency tankless water heaters, and heat pump water heaters. Let us put together a hot water system that works for you.

September 1, 2013 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Water Heaters: How to choose a Sonora plumber

This water heater connection was done by untrained and unnamed Sonora plumber ( you get what you pay for) — This water heater connection was done by untrained and unnamed Sonora plumber hired by a local licensed contractor ( you get what you pay for) The same water heater was installed on a rotted out frame hanging 3′ above the basement floor (barely)

There are a lot of people who will gladly take your money to replace a water heater in your home, but not all of these people are qualified to do the work. Unfortunately some homeowners try to save a little money by hiring an unlicensed contractor who has very little skill or training. On the other hand some Sonora, CA plumbing contractors hire unskilled or untrained labor to offer low prices to consumers. This seems like a good deal until you think about the dangers of these people installing your water heater. Installing an electric hot water heater includes dealing with 240 volts, while installing a gas water heater includes the danger of gas leaks as well as carbon monoxide from the flue pipe. Even carbon monoxide which many people don’t think of when they think water heater is a concern because carbon monoxide kills 400 people a year in the United States, and sends another 20,000 to the emergency room.

The best thing to do is look for a licensed plumbing contractor who hires qualified help and will install things correctly, make sure all of the safety features are in place, and that everythings installed to plumbing code. Price shopping for appliances is a good idea but this happens to be a different story. The difference between a $1,200 installation that is done correctly, and a $900 installation done incorrectly is $300 but over the life of the appliance you are only paying $2.08 per month for the quality installation. This is a small price to pay to know that your hot water heater will not be a danger to you or your family.

Another benefit of hiring a quality Sonora, Ca plumber is the knowledge they bring to the table about all options of water heating including tankless water heaters, instant water heaters, high efficiency water heaters, electric water heaters including heat pump water heaters, and solar water heaters.

Call Sonora plumbing service contractor Optimized Plumbing & Piping today for your quality water heater installation at (209)352-4294

Our Sonora plumbers offer service for Tuolumne County, and Calaveras County, and offer services including water heater installation, tankless water heater installation, leak repair, faucet installation, toilet installation, sink installation, re piping, and plumbing for remodels, as well as hydronic boiler installation, radiant water heating, and radiant heating.

Call Now 209-352-4294