The top three things every homeowner should do in order to ensure their natural gas or electric water heater is working properly.
As temperatures around the Valley are starting to drop making sure a home’s water heater working properly is becoming increasingly more important.
1. Visually inspect the water heater every month. Take note of any new rust spots, water heater problem, discoloration, etc. If the outside of a water heater has visual changes, the interior is changing as well.
2. Check to make sure the water heaters on / off valve is working properly every month. If a homeowner has a small water leak and they go to turn it off and the valve breaks in place it can result in a terrible water leak. It’s best to check the water heater valve regularly and practice turning the valve to avoid problems when you need it.
3. Have the water heater flushed once a year, make sure any and all built up inside is removed annually to prevent water leaks and retain great hot water.
It is always recommended by all water heater manufactures to have a licensed plumber check it yearly and make sure it is working safe and properly. There are many parts inside the water heater along with parts that keep the water heater working safely to protect the home and everyone around it.
Water damage is one of the most common and costly disasters affecting U.S. residences and Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Punctual Plumber is on a mission to teach homeowners what they need to know about getting their homes vacation ready. Avoiding water damage is possible with the right preparation. As more Arizonans’ take to the road and the sky this vacation season my goal is for every homeowner to come back to their home and plumbing exactly how they left it – in working condition. Cracks in pipes as small as 1/8-inch can release up 250 gallons of water per day.
According to the National Flood Insurance Program a 1,000 square foot home with just one inch of standing water will cost the resident more than $10,000 in damages.
The cost doubles to $20,000 in damages with six inches of standing water.
In fact, according to theChubb Insurance Corporation 37% of all homeowners claim they have experienced losses due to water damage. The Insurance Information Institute has said these homeowners and renters accounts for billions of dollars in losses annually.
It’s imperative to check the plumbing around the home before leaving for vacation. If they aren’t careful homeowners can return from their vacation to their very own exotic plumbing adventure. There are several simple proactive things each homeowner can do to prepare and protect their homes for vacation.
Here are my top 10 plumbing tips before leaving for a weekend getaway or a six month excursion:
Linda Stanfield showing ABC 15 Smart Family how to use the main shut off valve.
Turn off the main valve to the plumbing system. Make sure the valve is properly working before walking away. There will still be water in the system, but no new water will enter into the system while you’re gone. Only turn it off if nothing around your home needs water, such as pool fills or pumps that need water while you’re away.
If homeowners can’t turn off the main valve: shut off individual valves under your sinks, behind the toilets, at the Reverse Osmosis unit, behind the refrigerator and behind the washing machine. Only turn off the valves that are in good working order.
Even if the main shut off valve was used, be sure no valves or supply lines are wet or leaking before leaving by checking under each sink and toilet in the home.
If there is plumbing behind the refrigerator, pull it out. Check to make sure nothing is wet or corroded behind the refrigerator.
Look around both the homes water heater and softener for wetness and leaks. Each has their own shut off valves that can be used to lessen the chance of water damage.
If the water heater is in good condition, turn the thermostat to vacation on a gas heater. On an electric heater turn the breaker off at the main electrical breaker box. This will avoid wasting energy for heating water while away.
Add water to all drains, and BioBen, before leaving to keep them wet and will help avoid returning to odors.
Walk around the outside of the home make sure nothing is leaking outside before leaving.
Homes with drinking water systems, especially older systems, need to be careful of any cracks in the line. Cracks turn into breaks. Breaks are often the culprit causing water damage in many homes. Some systems can be turned off individually at the valve under the sink to lessen the possibility water damage.
If the homeowner is going to be away for an extended period of time, ask a neighbor to stop in and walk around the home to check that nothing has broken or continues to run while away.
I know these tips are fairly common, but I also know that if they’re not followed they can cause serious damage and cost upwards of $5,000. When they are followed these simple tips will protect homes and provide the owners with a little extra peace of mind while away.
Arizona’s notorious summer heat will have everyone in search of shade and water, but there are some things homeowners might not think of when it comes to drinking and preserving water in their own home.
1. Drinking water.
Is your tap water ready to drink?
The number one summer rule is to have a glass of water nearby at all times. What homeowners may not know is they should be checking and changing water filters to make sure that water is clean on a regular basis. Make sure to check not only your kitchen sink water filter, but also the refrigerator water and ice filters. The most common water systems are reverse osmosis systems, but there are others.
Along with water filters make sure to check and test the house water treatment systems. Test the water to be sure the hardness or chlorine levels are still correct, even though the system is on, does not mean it is getting your water to the levels you want.
2. Checking for leaks saves you money.
Homeowners can save money by doing easy appliance checks for leaks.
Checking Toilet Flappers, the moving part of the flush valve, can be an easy measure to prevent wasting water. Flappers deteriorate over time and should be checked every year. Make sure the flap fits tightly over the flush tube. If it’s not properly secured over 200 gallons of water a day can be wasted and hundreds of dollars a year. If the flap isn’t sealing water into the tanks and allowing water to exit the tank when you flush, call 602-485-1111 for quick service.
Check Yard Hoses.
Check the Waterhose!
Hosepipes should be tight, not dripping, if there is dripping, you’re losing money. The dripping water can also attract bugs you don’t want around the home.
3. Avoid Corrosion, the process metal, stone, steal etc. being damaged.
Check the washing machine connections;
Check your Washing Machine!
be sure they are not leaking or corroded; otherwise they could burst with no notice.
Take out the refrigerator and review the ice maker line connection,
Ice Machine Line Connector
be sure no small dripping is going on. Dripping could cause corrosion at the connection; this is a sign of possible future water damage.
4. Take the money saved from these easy fixes and install a low-flow shower head. By installing a low-flow shower head, homeowners can cut their water use by more than 30 percent. Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber has plenty of shower service options.
5. Although many basic fixes can happen inside the home, don’t forget about the outside. Now is also a good time to check sprinkler systems, including the back-flow device, this will make sure unsafe water is not coming back into your home, to be sure all your water in your home is safe to use. Many times sprinklers are on when no one is watching and drip systems can waste a lot of water when not spraying in the right place or leaking badly while turned on, take time now to watch them and be sure your not wasting money or water.
All Phoenix area Benjamin Franklin Plumbers have been professional trained and certified on water treatment and drinking water needs and systems. We only offer the best options for your water treatment needs, not everyone has the same water or the same need. Mention this blog for a free evaluation of your water treatment and drinking water at your home, this $69.00 value that will expire May 28, 2011 don’t wait contact us today by our real time online booking service or call us at 602-485-1111 24/7.
Arizona is offering round two of the AZ Appliance Rebates program for homeowners who install a New Solar Hot Water Heater System. Solar water heaters are a great way to save on utilities and work well in the Phoenix AZ area. As of today the AZ Appliance Rebates had over $1,100,000 available to homeowners wanting to install an Energy Star rated Solar water heater.
Curtis with New Solar Water Heater
Our Phoenix utility companies still have money for rebates, plus the Federal and State Government incentives remain in place.
Do you feel a little hot these days? Why not use that free sunshine to heat up your hot water all year long?
In my prior blog on Solar Water Heaters you can read the details about what the utility companies are offering in rebates.
I have listed the differences in the Solar Water Heater options available to heat your water in my blog on May 8, 2010. Still need more? How ’bout this list?
Top Ten Reasons to Go With Solar Hot Water:
Save money on energy bills while energy companies increase their rates. The sun can heat hot water for free.
More rebates equal more savings. Get your slice of the pie to change over to a Solar Hot Water.
Right now we have great Solar Hot Water products that will offer you the most flexibility and look great on your roof.
We have a reliable, low maintenance solar water system that will work on 90% of all Phoenix area homes.
Arizona gives us the most sunny days in the nation, year round. If you have a house here, shouldn’t you take advantage of it?
Arizona is one of the top states offering rebates to help homeowners pay for their new Solar Hot Water Heater.
Going Solar is simple and you will not notice any water temperature delivery difference when installed by our professional service techs. What you will notice is your utility bill savings.
Solar Hot Water works with both Electric and Gas water heaters.
You may use the same water heater you have currently, if you want.
HOA’s cannot prohibit installation of a Solar Water Heater Panel on your roof.
Thank you for reading my blog, I hope this has helped, don’t forget to look into solar hot water soon. We expect the rebate money will go quickly and suggest you schedule a consultation. Request your free quote (available to all homeowners that mention this blog post before September 1, 2010), call us at 602-485-1111.
By now you have probably heard about Solar Rebates from utility companies drying up or rebate amounts being reduced in Arizona. Unfortunately the reporting has caused confusion since “solar” in most news reports is about “electrical” solar panel systems. The solar water heater and solar electric panel rebates are separate programs in the Phoenix area utility companies. This is good news if you are considering a Solar Hot Water System.
Electrical Solar System:
Some words used for electrical solar systems include Solar Panels, Photovoltaic or “PV” panels, this type of system is used to run electrical energy in the home or business, etc.
Hot Water Heater Solar Systems:
Solar Hot Water systems include words like active or passive solar hot water systems. Each of these systems are better defined in my prior blog called Solar Hot Water Heater options.
Currently both Phoenix utility companies, SRP and APS are still offering great rebate dollar amounts for Solar Hot Water Systems. SRP still supports both solar water heater rebates and solar electrical rebates. The rebates have rules and dates in order to qualify. The dollar amount of the rebate for solar hot water heater systems are calculated by the efficiency of the system being used. Review the links for the most up to date current rebate amounts.
APS Solar electrical and Solar Water Heater rebate information can be found by clicking here . Like SRP, they use SRCC ratings to calculate the solar hot water heater rebate amount.
SRCC Rating is the rating that solar hot water and swimming pool systems receive from The Solar Rating and Certification Corporation, an independent rating program that tests and certifies each solar hot water heater system to let us know how efficient one is over another. Our utility companies use these ratings to calculate the rebates.
Please don’t believe the media stories heard around Phoenix, telling you that there is no more help for any solar here. Phoenix still has monetary support so you can save on Solar Hot Water Heater Systems, but don’t procrastinate as they will eventually run dry too. Please remember that most of the media alerts lately have been referring to Solar Electrical System Rebates dwindling quickly.
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Upcoming Articles:
How Can You Win 1 Year of Free Airfare or A Kitchen Makeover?
Tankless gas water heaters with an energy factor of =>0.82 qualify for the Arizona Cash For Appliance Rebate on April 12, 2010. Moving to a tankless gas water heater has many benefits and the rebate offer makes this the perfect time to consider them. The Arizona rebate is $300.00, not including the Federal Tax Credit of 30% - up to $1500.00. On top of this we match the Arizona rebate giving you another $300.00 from Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber. This offer is available during the month of April for all Phoenix Homeowers in and around the Phoenix area.
Right now is the time to consider changing from a tank style water heater to a new gas tankless water heater or move up to a better performing gas tankless water heater. Be informed when shopping as not all tankless gas water heaters are equal. You’ll want to match your capacity requirements, get the gas line feeds installed professionally and understand why or why not the unit you consider is eligible for the rebates. It is important to be sure the best model is selected for your individual home plumbing system and hot water needs.
Why Go Tankless?
1) Save Money and Energy:
Don’t pay for hot water you don’t use. If you’re not home using a faucet you aren’t paying for hot water with tankless. With a tank style water heater it always keeps the water hot if you use it or not, eating a hole in your pocket and feeding the utility company.
Save hundreds of dollars a year, depending on how much hot water is used, says Energy Star.
83%-94% heating efficiency compared to 60% of a tank style water heater, says Noritz Water Heaters.
Tankless gas water heaters will last up to 20 years or more, with proper installation, maintenance and water treatment.
2) Space Saving Benefits:
Gain additional storage space. You may be able to fit another car in your garage.
Have the choice to relocate the placement of your water heater to another area, indoors or out.
Tankless water heaters are wall hung so floor spac is freed up.
3) Other Addtional Benefits:
Easy to change temperature settings.
Enjoy a great volume of hot water with multiple fixtures simultaneously in use (with the right tankless model). Imagine everyone gets to take a hot shower…even if you have those large shower heads or body bars.
Recirculation compatible – to provide instant hot water!
No dirty tanks, you will always be using a clean supply of water.
No risk of a large tank to rust out and leak.
Use of Pop-In Parts, the ability to replace parts instead of having to replace the whole tank.
Arizona Cash For Appliance Rebate Reservation Website or Rebate Reservation Phone Number 1-877-397-5336, effective April 12, 2010 at 6am.
Some Important Details of the Arizona Cash for Appliance Rebate program:
Only $6.2 million for all appliance reservations is available.
A new reservation is required for each appliance category wanted.
One rebate per household per category.
A waiting list will be available, if the money runs out, just in case a reservation opens up.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is a qualified retailer and licensed contractor to help all Phoenix area Homeowners with their new water heater purchase and installation.
SPECIAL OFFER*: $200.00-$425.00 instant rebate from Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber. We are A+ rated and a two time Ethics award winner from the Better Business Bureau.
Contact us by phone 602-904-7252 or click on our website for local Phoenix area homeowner service in April and get a match towards the Arizona State Rebate amount on your new qualifying water heater. This will give you an additional $200.00 to $425.00 as a immediate rebate towards your purchase. Feel free to share this offer with anyone you know in the Phoenix area needing a new water heater or wants to save money on utilities.
*Contact us for details.
Look for my past blog on the qualifying High Efficient Gas Tank Style Water Heater and any new updates on the Arizona Rebate Program.
A few Tank Style Gas Water Heaters qualify for the Arizona Cash For Appliance Rebate. They must have Energy Factor of >=0.67 and be Energy Star Rated which translates into High efficiency and homeowner savings on your utility bill every month. The bigger your family, the more hot water you use and the greater the savings you can expect.
Gas Water Heater – Tank Style Facts:
Some manufactures that make water heaters that meet these energy factors for the rebate include Bradford White, Rheem and A.O Smith.
A Power Vent Gas Water Heater qualifies for the Appliance rebate program, this type of gas water heater is not common in the Phoenix area, however, we have serviced them throughout Maricopa County.
Three common things occur when homeowners call us for this type of water heater:
Customers learn they are more expensive than a standard gas tank water heater
There are fewer model choices because of your existing plumbing system set up
If it is an emergency you may have to go a day or so without hot water until one can be located
If you have a Power Vent type of water heater for your home today, you should look at this program very seriously. Not only will you save $400.00 (that’s $200 through the State Rebate and our $200 match from Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber Special), but you will also not be inconvenienced with no hot water while planning to have it installed.
These high energy efficient gas tank style water heaters come with the most up to date safety devices to keep your home and family safe from gas explosions. They have a high input combustion system and fully automatic controls with excellent amount of insulation in the tank which saves on the cost of reheating hot water- day and night.
It can be difficult to locate a gas tank style water heaters that qualifies for this rating, but we can help. Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber is a qualified and licensed retail plumber for the Arizona Cash for Appliance Rebate program. We have all the up-to-date information to help you qualify for the program. License ROC 250620, ROC256668, ROC 200353. Don’t delay mark your calenders for April 12th at 6am, use the rebate website or phone line 1-877-307-5336 to get your reservation for a new qualified water heater.
To find out more about other water heaters that qualify for this program and more details about the program visit my prior blog.
Special Offer:Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber will match the Arizona State Rebate dollar amount, $200.00-$425.00, on qualified water heaters, 1 per household, through the month of April, not to be combined with any other discounts or coupons.
Continue to read our future blogs, they will include give-aways and offer great helpful tips for all your plumbing needs.
” The True Facts about Solar Water Heating”
” Toilets That are Consistently One Flush” (with a give away of free toilet installed)
Electric Water Heaters are used by most homeowners around the Phoenix Arizona area to heat their hot water needs. On April 12, 2010 the Arizona Cash For Appliance Rebate Program goes into effect and an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater with an Energy Star rating will qualify for the program. It has an energy factor of >=2.0 and it qualifies for the highest rebate available $425.00 (with a reservation number). As a plumber for more then 25 years, I have never seen so many great benefits to getting a new water heater than now.
If you need more information on how to get your reservation on April 12, 2010 prior to replacing your water heater see www.arizonarebates.com or my prior blog post for other program details.
I realize many homeowners may not have heard of an Electric Heat Pump Water Heater before, but it is worth looking into. Many homeowners have heard of a heat pump if they have an electric air conditioner and heater, this usually also uses a heat pump to heat and cool the entire home. It is the same type of process with a heat pump water heater as the heat pump is now part of the water heater and uses the air around the water heater tank to heat the water.
Can you imagine saving on your electric bill by using FREE air to heat your hot water?
Why Change To An Electric Heat Pump Water Heater:
This water heater is the most energy efficient water heater available today. Every year that your current water heater gets older, it will become more inefficient to run and cost more money. Even if your water heater is producing good hot water, do you know the costs it costs you to do this every day?
Energy Star says “that this new innovative way of heating hot water will cut your energy bill to heat hot water by 50%”.
It protects the environment. “If everyone buying an electric water heater this year chose an ENERGY STAR qualified heat pump model instead of a standard model, we would avoid 19.6 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. That’s the equivalent of taking 1.6 million cars off the road”, according to Energy Star.
This water heater is great for our weather here in Arizona. It will not work in some colder climates.
In most cases, it should install where the standard electric tank water heater is now with no additional work needed, but will need to be checked first by a plumber.
Right now is the best time to get financial help to save money on a new high energy efficient water heater. On top of the Cash Rebate Program it also qualifies for additional Tax Benefits – a 30% federal tax credit up to $1500.00 and $1000.00 state tax credit.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing is matching the Cash rebates as an additional incentive for the homeowner in the Phoenix area.
The bottom line with a purchase from us, if you qualify, you get $850.00 cash rebate (1/2 from the appliance rebate program & half from us) and both tax credits Federal of 30% up to $1500.00 and $1000.00 from the state. Never before have we had this much money available to help you save money on heating your hot water, see the details at www.arizonarebates.com. You must act on April 12th, and call us for your installation. Don’t miss out on this great deal!
Here’s the details of the Rheem unit we are recommending:
The Rheem Heat Pump Water Heater has these key features::
The Rheem Heat Pump Water Heater comes with a 6 year tank and parts warranty and 1 year labor warranty. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing sweetens the deal by adding 6 years of labor warranty and 6 annual water heater flushes on top of the Manufactures warranty. So for 6 years the homeowners have no cost out of pocket to repair the water heater. This extra benefits from us, allows the average family to earn back every but of their initial costs very quickly.
To minimize heat loss during standby periods the unit has a 2.5-inch-thick, non-CFC foam insulation. This is important during periods when there is no demand for hot water;
a premium resistored anode rod extends tank life;
long-lasting stainless steel resistored elements;
a factory-installed, brass drain valve;
a factory-installed temperature and pressure relief valve;
hot and cold-water and condensate drain connections (all ¾-inch N.P.T.) on the side of the water heater, rather than on the top, for easier installation and maintenance
This water heater will operate as a standard tank style water heater, you will not notice any difference in your hot water supply.
The size of this water heater is slightly larger and will take up a bit more room than most standard electric water heaters.
Update on the Arizona Cash Rebate Program:
Please note that the Gas Condensing Water Heaters that was listed has been removed from the AZ Cash Rebate program.
Don’t miss out on us matching your qualified rebate with the additional tax credits, call us at 602-904-7252 or click on make an appointment to have us install your new water heater. We can service all your plumbing and water treatment needs around the Phoenix area 24/7.
Check back for our next discussion on “Arizona Cash for Appliance: Tankless Gas Hot Water Heaters”
We welcome comments and will happily answer any questions in our blog. If you need the answers in a hurry, just give us a call.
Water heaters can qualify for Arizona Appliance Rebate Program. The rebate program has 6.2 million dollars slotted for Arizona homeowners to replace their older inefficient appliances (get them off the Arizona grid) with high efficient Energy Star rated models.
Not all water heaters are the same. Some run with higher energy efficiency and less monthly costs to the homeowner, not to mention some also offer other wonderful benefits, too. Although your water heater may seem as though it is working fine, how much money does it really cost you to run every month?
Newer high energy efficient water heater models can help you save now on the purchase cost, with this rebate and on your monthly cost to run it, but you have to have a reservation first.
Which hot water heaters are covered under the Arizona Cash for Appliance Rebates?
Not all water heaters qualify for this program. Only the very high energy efficient water heaters with an Energy Star rating will qualify. Having an Energy Star rating means that the water heater will generally run 15-50% more efficient then water heaters without the Energy Star rating.
Water heaters that qualify for this rebate program include some gas tankless, electric heat pump and gas storage tank style water heaters. We’ll talk about specific models in upcoming blog posts.
How much are the rebates?
Each water heater qualifies for a flat rebate amount from $200.00-$425.00 as funded by thethe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. .
Benjamin Franklin, The Punctual Plumber of Phoenix will match the cash rebate that you qualify for towards a new water heater. Bottom line with the BF promotion: $400.00-$850.00total towards a new Energy Star rated qualified water heater.
A separate reservation is needed for each appliance that a homeowner qualifies for under the rebate program.
What is the time frame to take advantage of the rebates?
Mark your calender. The earliest date you can get a reservation is April 12, 2010, at 6am. It is expected that all the rebate program will be popular, so make your reservation early. When the money is gone the rebate program ends. This a great time to get help to pay for a new high energy efficient water heater and save money every month on your energy bills.
What are the particulars of the plan?
The homeowner will need to get the website address or phone number to apply for a reservation- not yet announced by the State of Arizona. Watch us, we will tweet all the up-to-date information to everyone following us. We will also share it on www.BenFranklinPlumbingAZ.com, our facebook page and discuss details on our Phoenix Plumber Pipeline Blog.
The homeowner will need to apply for the reservation and be confirmed that they have qualified.
Next the homeowner will need to contact a licensed plumber (we hope you consider us, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, The Punctual Plumber) to select the qualifing water heater and arrange to replace the old model water heater, thus getting it off the Arizona grid.
Depending on the water heater chosen and the city codes, the plumber will review what city permits are needed for the new water heater to be installed.
The water heater will be installed professionally and according to city code requirements.
Proper disposal of the old water heater by a licensed plumber is also noted to ensure proper recycling documentation.
Contact us at 602-904-7252 or book an on line appointment to get the BF matching rebate offer exclusively from us.
Look for future blog articles to help you decide what is best for you:
” Qualifing Tankless Water Heaters for The Arizona Appliance Rebate Program”
“Qualifing Electric Heat Pump Water Heaters for the Arizona Appliance Rebate Program”
“Qualifing Tank Style High Efficient Gas Water Heater for the Arizona Appliance Rebate Program”
