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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:

  1. Before draining down water lines turn off the electricity to your electric water heater this will prevent the burnt element at drain down
  2. Once the power is off shut off the main water shutoff valve
  3. With the water shutoff open the drain valve, and open all faucets, shower/ tub valves etc.
  4. If you have a shower diverter open that too, to prevent trapped water in the shower riser
  5. 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:

  1. Shut off the drain valve
  2. Open the main water valve
  3. turn off the faucets and shower valves
  4. 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.
  5. 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

Filed Under: Plumber Sonora California, plumbers Sonora CA, plumbing contractors in sonora ca, sonora ca water heater installations, sonora ca water heater repair, sonora plumbers, tankless water heater sonora ca, water heater repair & maintenance sonora ca, water heaters Sonora CA

February 27, 2017 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Energy Efficient water heaters Sonora ca

Electric Hybrid Heat Pump water heater for your Sonora Ca home

Most of our customers around Sonora, Ca have heard about tankless water heaters and many are interested in them because of benefits like higher efficiency, longer lifespan, features like recirc pumps, and endless hot water. A less known about technology in energy efficient water heating is the electric hybrid heat pump water heater. They are about 2X as efficient as a conventional electric tank type water heater, and in my opinion are by far the best choice for heating with electricity (a much better option than electric tankless). They come with features that like touchscreen displays that let you easily change temperature, the heating mode and even putting it into vacation mode. Some of the models we have installed can even be controlled with an app on a cell phone letting users turn them on and off from almost anywhere. They are a little bit more expensive up front but come with a longer warranty than the cheaper less efficient models (10 years compared to 6) they currently have pretty good rebate programs they qualify for, and most of the time pay for themselves within 3 years.

Below are a couple of pictures of a hybrid electric water heater installed in Sonora, Ca including the energy sticker and a side view of the heater. The electric water heater we took out had a yearly estimated cost of $452 compared to this one of $151. This is a 65 gallon model so has more storage than the old 50 gallon model and is still less to operate!

Check out a short video we have here: https://youtu.be/MHhdrpBstPc

This is one of the quietest water heaters of this type we have heard!

If you have any questions or would like an estimate call 209-352-4294

This is the energy estimate sticker for this energy efficient water heater
This is the energy estimate sticker for this energy efficient water heater
This hybrid water heater has a digital display on the front. On the side you can see one of the fans it uses for its high efficiency.
This hybrid water heater has a digital display on the front. On the side you can see one of the fans it uses for its high efficiency.

Filed Under: plumber calaveras county, Plumber Sonora California, plumbing contractors in sonora ca, water heaters Sonora CA

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.

  • Solar water heater/ Solar thermal. We are part of the California Solar Initiative program to qualify our customers for government rebates. Call us to learn about all the benefits of solar water heating.

 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.

navien logo

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 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 rodao logo

 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/

 

 

Filed Under: solar water heaters northern Ca, sonora ca water heater installations, sonora ca water heater repair, tankless water heater installers sonora ca, tankless water heater sonora ca, Uncategorized, water heater repair & maintenance sonora ca, water heaters Sonora CA

June 25, 2014 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Optimized Water Heating Sonora, Ca

optimized water heatingCall Today! 209-352-4294

Ask how to receive the $100 off standard water heater installation, or $150 off tankless water heater installation coupons.

Our Sonora, Ca water heating services include:

  • Tankless water heater installation, repair, and service
  • Electric hybrid heat pump water heater installation
  • Standard gas water heater installation and repair
  • Hydronic boiler installation and radiant heating
  • Hydronic piping installation, and repair
  • Commercial water heater installation
  • Direct vent water heater installation
  • Optimization of existing water heating systems including water saving recirculating pumps and controls, insulation and piping modifications
  • Solar water heater installation

Call today to schedule service, or for a water heating system upgrade consultation- 209-352-4294

Whether you are looking to swap out an old water heater for a standard replacement, or would like a water heater specialist to find the right new energy efficient water heater upgrade for your home, or commercial building look no further. Our professional Sonora, Ca water heater installers are trained in water heating so you know you are getting a top quality code compliant installation that will provide comfort and safety for many years to come.

Our Sonora, Ca water heater installation specialist

  • Have 5 years minimum training in the field
  • 5 years or equivalent of in school training
  • Continued education including: water heating system efficiency, hybrid heat pump installers certification, Navien tankless water heaters level 2 training for installation and repair and more.

Benefits of installing a high efficiency tankless water heater

  • Tankless water heaters have much higher efficiency ratings than older tank style models and can come with an energy star rating
  • Stainless steel heat exchangers can mean a longer life than tank models (some tankless models come with a 15 year warranty on the heat exchanger)
  • Never run out of hot water. When sized correctly you can enjoy hot water through multiple fixtures at a time, and never run out!
  • New models with a buffer tank, and recirculating pump built in eliminate a common complaint associated with older, or lower quality models which was called “the cold water sandwich” This is where the tankless water heater would give a shot of cold water in the middle of a shower.

Other high efficiency water heating options available for Sonora, Ca

  • Electric hybrid heat pump water heaters: use heat in the surrounding air to heat water. This is a great option if natural gas is unavailable because they are about twice as efficient as standard electric water heaters. They are energy star rated, and many utility companies offer rebates, or incentives.
  • Solar water heating uses the sun’s energy to heat water for your home, and the upfront cost is much less than using solar to create electricity.
  • Hydronic boliers can be used to heat water that is used to heat your home either through floors, radiators, or for forced air. Many believe radiant heat is much more comfortable and saves energy. The ability to create almost unlimited zones in a home also adds comfort. Unlike many forced air furnaces that heat the entire home to the same temperature radiant heat can easily be installed with zones for every room with individual thermostats to heat each room to a desired temperature.

Call today to see the benefits of using Optimized Water Heating for your water heating needs

209-352-4294

Filed Under: solar water heaters northern Ca, sonora ca water heater installations, sonora ca water heater installers, sonora ca water heater repair, tankless water heater installers sonora ca, water heater installers sonora ca, water heaters Sonora CA

May 12, 2014 by Curtis McQuinn Leave a Comment

Recirc pumps and tankless water heaters

Should a tankless water have a recirculating pump?

The answer is yes! But it needs to be done correctly or it could use more energy and make your hot water less convenient than without it and waste a lot of water at the same time. Read below to see the different options for using a recirculating pump with a tankless water heater so save energy and water. Or give us a call with any questions at 209-352-4294

A condensing tankless water heater with internal recirculating pump and buffer tank with dedicated recirculating line.

This is by far the most efficient and convenient way to heat water and waste less water. The built in recirculating pump and buffer tank work together to have hot water ready when you need it at the fixture, and you don’t run out like with tank models. The hot water can be controlled with a thermostat and timer so the unit only kicks on when you have it set, and in those time periods only when the water in the line falls below around 90 degrees. This limits the amount of power the pump uses, and how often the burner fires keeping cost down, and efficiency high. Many times adding a tankless water heater with internal recirculating pump and buffer tank with a dedicated recirculating loop from the furthest fixture from the water heater can cut waiting times for hot water from a couple of minutes to around 10 seconds which can save thousands of gallons of water per year. If there is no existing recirculating line many times it can be added with copper or pex. If the hot water line and the recirculating loop are both well insulated the efficiency is greatly increased.

A condensing tankless water heater with internal recirculating pump and buffer tank without a dedicated recirculating line.

Some of the newest models of tankless water heater we are installing can use a crossover tee at the furthest sink from the water heater. This tee will let some of the cooled off water in the hot water line into the cold water line as the internal pump in the water heater pushes the hot water closer to the furthest fixture. When the water at the fixture heats up the crossover tee stops letting water through so the cold water line doesn’t get hot, and your tankless water heater stops running. This is a good solution if you want the convenience of the recirculating line but can’t add the insulated recirculating loop because of cost, or because the pipes are not accessible to run a line back to the water heater.

A tankless water heater with an added recirculating pump and buffer tank.

This is an option if someone didn’t want to buy the more expensive unit up front, and wanted to buy a standard tankless and add on recirculation later. Unfortunately this installation ends up costing more and the system does not work as well together. If an older tankless is installed we have used this method to cut wasted water from waiting for hot water to get to fixtures. A tankless that is only a few years old doesn’t need to be replaced just to cut down on wait time and save water !

 

A standard tankless water heater with a recirculating loop and no buffer tank.

This is a bad idea but happens when an installer doesn’t understand how a tankless works, or is trying to cut corners. The pump can get the tankless to kick on but it shuts off every time the pump kicks off. When a tankless kicks off it doesn’t start making hot water again immediately when it is turned back on. Cool water enters the heat exchanger and passes through without being heated completely or at all. This means when you turn on your shower it feels warm because the pump pushed hot water through the line, but when the cold water that goes through the heat exchanger without being heated from startup comes through the line you get a cold shot of water in your shower. This wastes a lot of energy with almost no real benefits. We recently saw one of these systems that the owners had been dealing with for years. The pump also had no timer so it was running any time the water temperature dropped 24 hours a day making their “more efficient” tankless water heater extremely inefficient and giving them intermittent cold shots of water in their showers. When offered the more efficient condensing unit with internal recirc pump and buffer tank to eliminate the cold they quickly decided it was a good idea. They had never been told about the right way to do it and thought the cold water shots were normal for a tankless water heater.

Optimized Plumbing is a Sonora Ca based plumbing contractor specializing in tankless water heaters, hybrid heat pump water heaters recirculating systems, hydronic heat, radiant heat, and plumbing service and repair. We service all areas of Tuolumne and Calaveras counties including the towns of Angels camp, San Andreas, Murphys, Arnold, Twain Harte, and Copperopolis.

Filed Under: Plumber Sonora California, plumbing contractors in sonora ca, sonora ca water heater installers, tankless water heater installers sonora ca, water heater installers sonora ca, water heaters Sonora CA

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