Protecting Your Outdoor Tankless Water Heater During The Winter

A tankless water heater performs well in winter months but even it has some limitations. Tankless water heaters make use of a condenser that pre-warms the water, so it does not take you very long time to reach the pre-set temperatures for using. Approximately, the water reaches the temperature set by the home owners at the rate of 1.6 gallons per minute . In the beginning it may flow with less pressure, so that the water heater has time to heat the water, but it is as hot as desired when it gets to its destination. Contrary to common belief, the hot water temperatures produced by the tankless water heater are not restricted by the temperatures outside. However, the tankless hot water heater can freeze if certain precautions are not taken when the temperatures drop below a certain level.

The majority of indoor and outdoor tankless water heaters have built-in freeze protection against short-term winter temperatures ranging from -7 degrees Fahrenheit to -21 degrees Fahrenheit. This protection cannot resist long term below freezing temperatures. To avoid your tankless water heater from freezing in the winter there are several steps you should take. To begin winterizing your tankless water heater you should take the follow steps:

1. First turn the unit off and unplug its power source.

2. Next, turn off the water supply and drain the water from the water heater.

3. Minimize the water pressure and disconnect the water pipes from the water heater.

4. Place a cover over the vent termination for intake and exhaust to hold debris out.

5. After that, when setting up a concentric or dual vent system face vent pipes away from the wind to prevent freezing.

6. Set up drain pipes in areas not subject to freezing such as inside a wall.

7. Enable ample combustion air for gas powered appliances to prevent negative draft from freezing the water in a tankless unit or use a backdraft reducer which closes the backdraft flapper.
These procedures can protect your water heater through the entire winter withstanding freezing temperatures in your local area. We of course recommend that call an expert to winterize your tankless water heater in you house. Especially if it expected that the current weather will remain cold for an extended period of time of this winter.

How to Choose a Reliable Plumbing Services Company

Do you have a large remodelling job for your kitchen or bathroom planned? Do you have leaky pipes in need of fixing? Well, then you are probably considering hiring a plumbing service. Before you do, here are five things to consider that will help you choose a reliable plumbing services company.
1. Reputation – Before making any decisions about which plumbing service you’re going to hire, the best thing to do is check out the reputation of the plumbing services available in your location. Checking online will allow you to see reviews from other clients, and you can always check with the Better Business Bureau, as well.
2. Availability – Some plumbing services offer 24-hour availability in case of night time and weekend plumbing emergencies. It is important to identify if the plumbing service you are going to select is available on your schedule, even if you don’t require 24-hour service.
3. The Crew – Often times, especially on larger jobs, a plumbing services company will send multiple workers to a job site. It is important to ensure that the project lead is a licensed plumber and that anyone else working with him is either a journeyman plumber or a licensed apprentice.
4. Price – As in every service or product, price is always a factor. Make sure you request estimates from multiple plumbing services to ensure you are getting the best deal.
5. Quality – We’ve all heard horror stories of what can happen when incompetent or inexperienced plumbers mess up. Leaks can often lead to wall, ceiling and floor damage that can sometimes be very costly to repair. A reliable plumbing services company will be able to identify the job at hand, as well as any problems that could arise and troubleshooting methods to ensure the highest quality of service.
By identifying these key factors, you will be able to select a reliable plumbing services company that will be able to do the job efficiently and for a fair price.