Signs Your Hot Water Heater Needs to be Repaired or Replaced

 Your hot water heater is an essential appliance in your home, but because it’s out of sight, it’s easy to forget it exists until something goes wrong. Most homeowners are not in the habit of regularly checking on their hot water heater, so when it breaks or malfunctions it can quickly become an urgent situation. Here are three of the most common signs that your hot water heater needs to be repaired or replaced. 

Irregular Water Temperature

You’re enjoying a relaxing, hot shower after a long day, when suddenly the water starts running cold. It’s happened to most of us before and it’s definitely not a pleasant experience. If you notice your water temperature is fluctuating often from hot to warm or cold, there might be an issue with your hot water heater. Mineral deposits build up over time and can cause irregular water temperatures, so the best thing to do is ask a professional to inspect your hot water heater. 

Discoloration of Water

If you’re getting yourself a glass of water from your kitchen sink and notice the water has small dark particles floating in it, or the water is brownish in color, it’s time to have your hot water heater checked. Sediment leaking into your drinking water can be a health hazard if it goes untreated. Your tank will need cleaning as soon as possible if you’re encountering this issue. 

Running Out of Hot Water Too Fast

It’s possible that one of the heating elements in your hot water heater is malfunctioning if your water only stays hot or warm for a short amount of time.  Most new models of hot water heaters are able to provide homes with a steady and lengthy supply of hot water, but it can be a big inconvenience when the heater stops working in your time of need.

If you’d like more information about hot water heater repair, or if you have any questions, please contact our team at Crosstown Plumbing today and visit our website at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/

Originally published at: https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/hot-water-heater-repair/

Is Your Home Heating System Energy-Efficient? Find Out:

In the fierce New Jersey winters, heating your home is essential! However, the last thing you want is to be surprised by a massive energy bill! This means carefully managing your home’s heating and, most importantly, ensuring that your heating system is as efficient as it can be. Here are some tips from our team:

• What Is Your AFUE Rating?

The AFUE rating, or annual fuel utilization efficiency rating, is the best indicator of how efficient your home heating system is. Essentially, this rating is the percentage of how efficiently your heater converts fuel into energy – the higher the rating, the better your system is because less fuel is wasted. For example, a 90% AFUE indicates that 90% of the fuel powering your heater is turned into heat and 10% is wasted. Older furnaces can perform surprisingly badly, often with an AFUE as low as 56%. This means that almost half of that fuel is wasted, so you are spending almost twice as much to heat your home as you would with a unit that has a 100% AFUE rating. You can find your system’s rating on its manual or on the sticker inside the furnace cabinet. To be considered a high-efficiency unit, it must have a rating of 90% or higher, and the lowest standard for new equipment is 76%.

• Compare Your Bills:

Energy bills fluctuate with the seasons and the use thereof. But, tracking them each month should help you spot unusually high bills that can indicate your heating system is no longer operating efficiently. It may need a simple service or repair, or it may have become worn out with age and may need replacing. Furnaces have an average lifespan of 20 or more years. However, recent breakthroughs in technology have meant that current new models may be worth investing in even if your furnace is just 10 years old; due to the energy savings they offer.

• Maintain Your Heating System:

Regular preventative maintenance is critical to the optimal performance of your heating system and the extension of its lifespan. It goes a long way to prevent the issues that reduce efficiency and thus increase your energy costs, and it stops small problems from becoming expensive ones. Try to time your maintenance schedule for the fall, before everyone turns on their heating and parts/service providers are in high demand.

Replacement Parts and High-Efficiency Home Heating Systems from Plumbing Wholesalers, NJ 

If you would like to replace your home’s HVAC system, furnace or water heater with a state-of-the-art heating system, the specialists at Crosstown Plumbing Supply can assist you. With over 25 years of experience serving the New Jersey area, we are the right plumbing wholesaler to help you choose the appropriate replacement option for your needs. Customers can also benefit from our location in a 3.5% NJ sales tax zone, making your project even more affordable.

To find out more about our boiler products, hot water heaters, furnaces, heating systems, and other products, please contact us or visit our plumbing supply company website at http://crosstownplumbing.com/

Original content posted on https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/is-your-home-heating-system-energy-efficient-find-out

How To Prepare Your Home For The Winter Chill

Homes across New Jersey are getting ready for the winter months, transforming into cozy, warm spaces where we can escape the chilly weather. Here are some tips from our home heating system specialists on preparing your home.

• Deal with leaks and drafts: Heating a home takes time, money and energy – so the last thing you want is for all that warm air to go to waste. Check your home’s doors and windows as well as vents, electrical/gas lines and plumbing for gaps where warm air could leak out of your home or cold air can get in. Often, it as simple as applying weather stripping or spray foam insulation, but professionals are available to assist with more complex jobs like inspecting and sealing ductwork.
• Check your insulation: Homes with poor insulation will be a challenge to keep warm even with a powerful heating system – and your bills will skyrocket too. Have your home’s insulation inspected (especially the attic, exterior walls and basement) and ensure that it is up to recommended standards.
• Clear the gutters: Leaves and other debris quickly clog up gutters in the fall and early winter months, blocking one of your home’s most important drainage systems. When gutters clog, rain and snowmelt can start seeping into your home’s walls, siding and foundation, causing moisture leaks, damp, mold and structural damage.
• Clean or replace air filters: Air filters capture debris and dirt to prevent it from entering your home or damaging your system. As the filters clog up, it becomes more difficult to supply your home with warm air, so your system can wear or break – and heating costs can rise. Replacing or cleaning these filters is a simple job and instructions should be with your system’s manual.

Home Heating System Parts and Replacement Units from Plumbing Wholesalers in New Jersey

If you would like to replace your home’s HVAC system, furnace or water heater with state-of-the-art heating systems, the specialists at Crosstown Plumbing Supply can assist you. With over 25 years of experience serving the New Jersey area, we’re the right plumbing wholesaler to help you choose the right replacement option for your needs. Customers can also benefit from our location in a 3.5% NJ sales tax zone, making your project even more affordable.

To find out more about our boiler products, heating systems and services, please contact us or visit our plumbing supply company website at http://crosstownplumbing.com/

Original content posted on https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/how-to-prepare-your-home-for-the-winter-chill

Gas Hot Water Heaters - All The Pros And Cons

When choosing a hot water heater, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is whether you want an electric, solar power or gas hot water heater. Here are some insights into what gas models have to offer.

• Higher hot water delivery – faster: Gas hot water heaters can heat and deliver up to 35% more hot water in an hour than an electric counterpart of the same size. This is especially important in homes where there is a big hot water demand – for example, in larger families where dishwashers and showers, etc. may often run at the same time.
• Lower energy costs: Electric hot water units often use less energy than gas versions, but the high cost of electricity means that running a gas hot water heater will still be the cheaper option. In fact, it costs 30% less on average over the USA to run on gas.
• Faster recovery for tank water heaters: Gas hot water heaters recover after use 3-4 times faster than electric hot water heaters. This means that you can install a smaller tank – saving space and investment/installation costs while keeping up with hot water demand.
• Hot water through power outages: If you choose a gas hot water heater with a pilot light, it will stay running throughout power outages, so you still have easy access to hot water.

So now that we know the advantages, are there any disadvantages to consider?

• Complex installation: If you don’t already have a gas unit, the installation can be a costly and complex process. You’ll need access to a gas line, and you’ll need to install venting as well.
• Higher maintenance: While quality gas water heaters are designed for low maintenance, they still have more parts than electric units, so maintenance can occur more regularly.
• Leak and explosion risks: Any gas-powered equipment carries safety risks that electric units don’t. To keep your family and property safe and to minimize these risks, it is essential that you have a high-quality gas hot water heater installed and maintained by qualified professionals, in line with all building codes and regulations.

Get Your Hot Water Heater from Your Plumbing Wholesaler in NJ! 

For over the last 25 years, Crosstown Plumbing Supply has been offering expert advice, tools and products to homeowners and industry professionals alike. As a plumbing wholesaler with a reputation for customer service excellence and a team willing to go the extra mile, we’re the ideal partners for all your plumbing needs in 2018. What’s more, our customers benefit from our location in a 3.5% sales tax zone – making us the most affordable choice by far!

To find out more about our tank water heater and tankless water heater options, please visit our website at https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/ or contact us today.

Original content posted on https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/gas-hot-water-heaters-all-the-pros-and-cons

5 Signs You Need A New Hot Water Heater

Water heaters are one of the most essential plumbing fixtures in our homes, delivering piping hot water to our showers, baths, and faucets. So, when they fail, they can cause serious chaos in our daily lives! Here are signs to watch out for so that you can get your hot water heater repaired or replaced in time:

1. Age: When it comes to hot water heaters, age isn’t just a number. Generally, they should be replaced after 10 years, as equipment older than that is more likely to fail or need significant repairs. Often, these heaters are also far less energy efficient, costing you a lot more than they should on your monthly energy bill. You can determine the age of your hot water heater by looking at the unit’s serial code. The letter represents the month of the year (A is January, B is February, etc.) and the next two numbers are the last two numbers are the year.
2. Leaks: Check around your hot water heater for moisture or pools of water, as these indicate a leak. Many leaks can simply be repaired but older units are more vulnerable to fractures in the tank, as they have been worn out over the years by the expansion and contraction caused by the heating process.
3. Running out of hot water: This can be the result of two issues:

i.        Either that your tanked hot water heater isn’t big enough to provide enough hot water to meet the demands of your home, or
ii.        Sediment has built up inside the tank, reducing its capacity.
A clean-out may be sufficient, but often this is a sign that your heater itself is deteriorating.

1. Noises: As sediment builds up in your tank, it hardens and reduces the hot water capacity as well as compromising your heater’s efficiency. This hardened sediment can result in banging and rumbling noises from your heater itself as it tries to heat up.
2. Discoloration: Rust-colored water from your hot-water taps (and not your cold-water taps) usually means that your water heater is rusting inside and may need replacing soon, before it starts to leak. If you have rust-colored water coming from your cold-water pipes as well, this may indicate that your pipes are rusting instead.

Get all your plumbing supplies at wholesale prices in NJ! 

For over the last 25 years, Crosstown Plumbing Supply has been offering expert advice, tools and products to homeowners and industry professionals alike. As a plumbing wholesaler in NJ with a reputation for customer service excellence and a team willing to go the extra mile, we’re the ideal partners for all your plumbing needs in 2017. What’s more, our customers benefit from our location in a 3.5% sales tax zone – making us the most affordable choice by far!

To find out more about our tank water heater and tankless water heater options, please visit our website or contact us today.

Original content posted on https://www.crosstownplumbing.com/5-signs-you-need-a-new-hot-water-heater