It’s summer, and this is the most common time for home buyers to search the Charlotte real estate market. Unfortunately, many people aren’t aware of problems that may exist in a home that are not found by inspectors, especially plumbing leaks and poor plumbing systems. Before buying a home filled with plumbing repair needs, be sure to check out the various plumbing fixtures so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

In the bathroom, be sure to inspect the floor; look around the base of the toilet for water damage, and test to make sure there are no soft spots in the floor. These are signs of water leaks, typically existing. If you find black and white stains or rolled vinyl flooring, these are also clues that water leaks may have previously plagued the area or are currently a problem. Also be sure to press tiles on the wall to check for leaks and loose tiling. Before you move on, flush the toilet and make sure it works properly, not draining too slowly or causing water to leak.

To check for adequate piping and water pressure, turn on a bathtub faucet and the kitchen sink faucet. If the pressure is significantly reduced with both running, the piping may have a large amount of calcium and mineral deposits and need to be replaced. While you are in the kitchen, make sure the connections to the dishwasher and garbage disposal are tight and show no signs of leaks. Also, check within the cabinetry to assure there is no water damage, including stains, rotted corkboard, or sagging bottoms. Be sure to check the washing machine hose as well, since these can rupture and lead to extensive water damage.

The first four digits of the serial number on a water heater are the month and year of manufacture. If the water heater in the home is more than 15 years old, you’ll want to contact your local Charlotte plumbing company to replace it. You may also want to check for rust on the tank, as this is a sign of impending issues with the hot water heater. If you are unsure of problems you may find, you can get assistance with inspections from our Charlotte water heater technicians, available to help you assess the value of the plumbing system in your prospective home purchase.

We’re days away from Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Whichever festive holiday you celebrate, our plumbing company wishes you nothing but peace and joy.

In addition to the festivities, we’re also days away from the expiration of the tax credit consumers can earn for purchasing energy-efficient appliances. The tax credit covers everything from energy-efficient HVAC systems to energy-efficient windows and doors – as well as energy-efficient water heaters.

If you ever were considering trading in that clunky traditional water heater for a more compact tankless water heater, now is the time to do so. Tankless water heaters are becoming the option for more and more consumers not only because they take up less space but also because they provide an unlimited supply of hot water throughout your home.

Keep in mind that to be eligible for the tax credit, you must purchase a gas tankless water heater. Electric tankless water heaters are not eligible for the credit. Feel free to check the Energy Star website for more details.

The credit can help you significantly, as it will cover 30 percent of the cost of improvements. Taxpayers can receive a credit of up to $1,500 for all improvements that qualify under the credit stipulations. If you’re going to take advantage, you must purchase before Dec. 31.

Feel free to call our expert Charlotte plumbers today, or contact us online for more information on the tax credit or tankless water heater installation and service.

Our Charlotte plumbing contractors know that you’re always looking for ways to reduce your energy costs. This is why we’re taking some time to inform you about a natural gas rebate offered to Piedmont residents. All you have to do is call our Charlotte plumbing company and have our expert plumbers install a High Efficiency Gas Water Heater. Please read on to learn about this exceptional rebate offer.

Piedmont Residential Customers

Residential customers in Piedmont can qualify for rebates up to $300 by installing a high efficiency natural gas furnace. Your furnace installation must be rated 90% efficient or higher. To qualify for a $250 rebate you must install tankless water heaters rated 82% efficient or higher. Piedmont residential customers can also qualify for a $50 rebate by installing a conventional water heater with an efficiency rating of 62% or higher.

You must replace an existing water heater or furnace to qualify.

Piedmont Commercial Customers

Commercial customers in Piedmont may qualify for a $250 rebate by replacing an existing water heater with a tankless water heater rated 82 % efficient or higher.

Either way you go, you will definitely reduce your energy bills and slash your carbon footprint.

Call our Charlotte plumbing company to learn more about your natural gas rebate.  (704) 461-1700

Water heater replacement is not what it used to be. You are now faced with more options – from conventional storage water heaters to on-demand tankless water heaters. Technologies, such as heat pump and solar, may also play a role in the new water heating system you choose. A qualified Charlotte plumbing company can direct you to a solution most appropriate to your situation. Here’s a brief overview of what’s available on the market today:

Tankless Water Heaters. You may hear this type of water heater referred to as demand, on-demand or instantaneous. A tankless water heater is very energy efficient because it uses an exchanger to heat water when needed; it does not have to continually maintain a reserve of hot water. Both gas and electric models are available.

Conventional Water Heaters. Commonly known as storage water heaters, this type of water heating system involves maintaining a reservoir of hot water – ready for use whenever needed. Gas and electric models are available. Storage water heaters typically cost less than tankless water heaters; however, they consume more energy over the long run.

Solar Water Heaters. Like conventional water heaters, solar water heaters use storage tanks. To heat the water, however, solar collectors are used to capture heat from the sunshine. This type of system is extremely energy efficient. A backup system is required for cloudy days.

Heat Pump Water Heaters. Instead of generating heat directly, a heat pump water heater pulls heat from the surrounding room, using it to maintain its hot water reservoir. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, heat pump water heaters can operate 2-3 times more efficiently than conventional electric water heaters. This type of system is best for moderate climates and requires backup generated heat for cold days.

Contact Ben Franklin Plumbing in Charlotte for more information about water heating systems. A plumbing professional will correctly size your water heater, regardless of type, for maximum efficiency.

Whether you are thinking about remodeling or making some changes to improve energy efficiency in your Charlotte home there are some things you should know about instant (or tankless) water heaters.  Whether you are interested in conserving water, saving energy, or you just want to save some money, these water heating devices might fit the bill.

Depending on your needs and the amount of hot water you use in a day, you might want to think about either a whole-house tank-less water heater or about instant water heating units in strategic places in your house.  These units are compact, efficient and affordable.

Here are the main things you should know about these water heating devices:

1.  Tankless water heaters produce hot water by heating an element that then heats the water as it passes across the element on its way to the tap.

2.  The name “tankless” comes from the fact that there is no water storage tank that is part of these systems.

3.  The systems save energy because they don’t keep the water in a storage tank at a constant temperature.  You only heat what you actually use when you use it.

4.  With these systems, you don’t have to worry about leaks because the storage tank or a pipe cracks. Your home and furnishings will be safer.

5.  There are two kinds of instant water heaters – those powered by electricity and those powered by natural gas. Gas-powered units can produce more water flow than electric units.

6.  The cost of a whole-house tank-less unit will range between $199 and $4000.

7.  Tankless systems usually last 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters with storage units generally last only 10 to 15 years.

8.  If you use a lot of hot water in a day, a tankless system will use 8% less energy. If you use very little hot water in a day, they can save as much as 50% in energy use.

9.  The cost of supplying hot water to your home can be reduced by up to 60% by switching to a tankless system.

10.  Instant water heating units heat between two and five gallons of water a minute.

11.  Because of the limited amount (2 – 5 gallons a minute) heated by these units, you will not be able to run two demands for hot water at a time (such as running the dishwasher and taking a shower).  This drawback can be overcome by installing a booster unit or by just installing units in each place you use hot water.

12. Instant units are small and self-contained. They take little space and don’t need two water supply pipes running to the unit.

13.  Instant water heating units are ideal in places where hot water is needed only occasionally, such as a garage sink, a hot tub, an outdoor cooking area or a pet bathing area.

14.  Instant units are also perfect in places where you need hot water only when the areas of the home are in use, such as a pool house or a guest bathroom.

15. Instant units are also perfect in guest houses, vacation homes and exterior showers for beach homes. Because there is no risk of leaking or flooding the property in case of a leak, you can close up the property when it is not in use and not have to worry. Then when the property is reopened, you don’t have to wait for hot water while the whole storage tank heats.

Before you make remodeling decisions about plumbing, think about whether an instant water heater might meet your needs more efficiently.  If you are looking to make your hot water supply more efficient and conserve water, you might want to consider an instant water heater – you won’t even waste water waiting for the hot water to reach the tap!

Have you ever thought about getting a tankless water heater, based off a plumber’s recommendation? Tankless water heaters are definitely something you should be looking into.

Tankless water heaters, sometimes known as instantaneous, continuous flow, inline water heaters, are the perfect alternative to conventional tank heaters.

Tankless water heaters heat water on demand or instantly rather than keeping hot water in reserve like conventional tank heaters. Tankless water heaters use less energy than tank heaters which in turns means lower energy bills for you.

Tankless water heaters can be operated electrically or with natural gas or propane. Gas tankless water heaters can heat more water faster while electric tankless water heaters need access to a lot of electric power to rapidly heat water.

Tankless water heaters are very efficient when it comes to energy conservative. Tankless water heaters have efficiency ratings at nearly 99%.

Most tankless water heaters supply hot water for the whole house including appliances. The tankless water heaters that supply hot water for the whole house are largest of the tankless water heaters. Point-of- use tankless water heaters are smaller units and can be placed under sinks or other easy access areas.

Point-of-use tankless water heater units provide hot water for a specific outlet versus the whole house. Point-of-use tankless water heaters are located right where the water is being used and save more energy than centrally installed tankless water heaters, but are usually used in combination with a central water heater because of their small tank size.

Generally speaking, tankless water heaters are good choices because they don’t take up much space and can be hidden out of site. So, you won’t have to worry about people looking at it.

Here are a few reasons why you should look into tankless water heaters…

• Unlimited hot water- As water is heated while passing through the system an unlimited supply of hot water is available with a tankless water heater however, this can also be a disadvantage as running out of hot water self-limits use while a tankless heater has no such limit.
• Size- Tankless water heaters can be mounted under a sink, in an easy access area, or anywhere else you think would be a good location. Because there is no tank, the places of where it can go are virtually endless.
• Water damage is minimized-Tankless water heaters have no tanks to store water, so there are no chances of water damage do to a leak or hole in the tank. There are still risks of water damage from faulty parts such as improper piping or bad fittings.
• Longevity-Tankless water heaters haven no tanks meaning tankless water heaters will outlast the conventional water heater twice as many years because corrosion is due to standing water in the tank. The corrosion on the tankless water heater will be on the pipes or around the fittings vs. the tank.

• Environmentally Friendly- Tankless heaters are designed to only use gas and water when they are being used.  Therefore, you are not wasting resources to heat the water in a conventional water heater.

A shower remodel is a big part of a bathroom renovation. Before you begin to make plans on what you would like to do, it is important to consider your options. You may have an idea in your head about the exact look and feel of your new shower. Or you may not have any idea in mind other than to replace the existing shower. No matter what you would like the final outcome to look like, it is important to understand what your different options are in terms of style, price and construction.

For more information on bathroom remodeling Call your Charlotte Plumber, Ben Franklin Plumbing