Things to Consider When Choosing a Water Heater

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Things to Consider When Choosing a Water HeaterMost Firestone homeowners won’t start looking at water heaters unless their current one fails. Because no one wants to take a cold shower, they are often in a hurry to get a replacement in the soonest possible time. Some would just settle for anything that is available in the store.

In order to help you make an informed decision, it is best to do some research before you are faced with an emergency purchase. If the time has come for you to buy a new Firestone water heater, then we urge you to read this blog post before you head out and buy a new one.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a new water heater.

Type of water heater

Storage tank water heater

If you use a lot of hot water and need an immediate replacement, then this one’s for you. Conventional storage water heater offers a ready reservoir – from 20 to 80 gallons of hot water.

Tankless water heater

Tankless water heaters heat the water directly without the use of a storage tank. The unit only heats water as you use it. This means you’ll never run out of hot water, but you may have to wait for a few seconds before hot water comes out.

Heat pump water heater

If you are looking for something that is less expensive to operate, then this would be a great option. This type of water heater works by pulling heat from the environment and then pumping it into the tank. If you decide to install it in a hot garage or attic, it will suck out some of the heat. The conventional coils will function only when the heat pump can’t satisfy the demand.

Gas or electric

Electric water heater uses electric resistance recoils to heat water, while a gas water heater uses the heat from burning fuel. About 40% of homes in the United States uses electric water heater, while 60% are gas-fired.

Energy efficiency

Heating water accounts to approximately 15% of a home’s energy use. With the rising cost of energy, homeowners are looking for ways to save money.

Among the water heaters on the list, heat pump water heater is has the lowest operating cost. In fact, they can be 2 to 3 times more energy efficient than conventional water heaters. Since tankless water heater only heats water at the time it is being used, it is also more energy efficient than traditional ones.

Useful Tips to Save Money on Water Heating

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waterheating_5.18Water heating in Boulder typically accounts for about 18% of your utility bill. If you know how your water heater works, then you’d understand why it is an energy hog.

Water heaters work constantly in order to provide you with hot water whenever you need it. The problem is that water cools down after a few hours. As a result, the water heater turns back on to warm the water again. The good news is that you can see a noticeable improvement on your water heating bills in Boulder Colorado, with just a few simple changes.

Here are a few ways to make your water heater more energy efficient.

Install low-flow showerheads

Thanks to modern technology, manufacturers were able to make showerheads that offer a very satisfying shower, but use less water.

Unlike regular showerheads, low-flow showerheads in Boulder can reduce your water consumption by up to 50%. This means that your water demand requirement is also reduced to half. Therefore, the amount of electricity that is needed to heat it is also cut in half.

Minimize hot water consumption

According to studies, the average American household uses about 700 gallons of water each week, for showering alone.  Considering how hot it is outside, you might want to minimize your hot water consumption and make an effort to switch to cold water for things like showering, rinsing dishes or brushing your teeth. With these simple changes, you can take a load off your water heater and your wallet as well.

Turn down the temperature on your thermostat

Most water heaters come pre-set at 140 degrees. Unless you’re soaking your dishes in boiling water or taking a shower with scalding water, you might as well turn it down to 120 degrees. You’ll save about 3 to 5% on your monthly bill for every 10 degrees you turn it down.

Turning down the temperature will not only reduce your energy consumption, it also helps slow down mineral build up; thus, extending the life of your water heater.

Maintain your water heater

Over time, sediments build up on your water tank. This can slow down the water heater’s ability to heat; thus, taking a toll on your Boulder Colorado utility bill. Draining the tank will keep it running efficiently.

Water Conservation Tips That Will Help You Save Money

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water conservation tipsWe all rely on water for a wide variety of uses – be it inside or outside the house. With more and more areas struggling with draughts, many residents of Boulder County are looking for ways on how to reduce their water consumption.

Cutting back on water usage is more than just saving money on your utility bill; it also helps reduce pollution due to leaks and extend the life of your septic system.

When it comes to conserving water, small changes can have a big impact. Here are some tips to help you save more water every day in Boulder County.

Flush the toilet only when necessary

The toilet is one of the most water-intensive fixtures in the house. In fact, about 30% of total water used in the house is through toilet flushing. About 2 billion liters of water is wasted through toilet flushing alone. Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Also, never use your toilet as a wastebasket or an ashtray.

Take shorter showers

Regular showerheads can use as much as 5 gallons of water a minute. One way to cut down on water use is to limit your shower to 5 minutes. This simple step will help you save 10 gallons every time.

Switch to low-flow fixtures for maximum water efficiency. This can save you up to $200 per year. Replacing shower heads is a very simple task that can be done by the homeowners in Boulder.

Repair dripping faucets

A faucet that drips 60 drops a minute will waste 192 gallons of water each month. That is equivalent to 2,300 gallons of water a year. Add to that, it can also cost you $35 a year. Larger leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water a day.

Preventing water waste is crucial to ensuring sustainable use of our most precious resource. Fixing leaky faucets can mean big savings.

Turn off the tap when you brush your teeth

Your faucet flows at 2.5 gallons per minute. If you run the tap for 90 seconds while brushing your teeth, you’ll be using around 1,400 gallons of water per year. You can save up to 8 gallons of water just by turning off the tap while you brush your teeth.

 

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Easy Ways to Winterize Your Erie, Colorado Home

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It’s never too early to prepare your home for winter. Make your home feel warmer without turning up the heat. Follow these tips to help you save money and make sure that you still have money left in your pocket for holiday shopping.

Change furnace filters

Dirty filters restrict airflow and increase energy demand. It is important to clean or replace your furnace filters every month. Many of us tend to forget about this very important step, so be sure to mark a monthly check on your calendar. You can also use a permanent furnace filter to keep your air clean without the hassle.

Caulk any gaps

You want to make sure that your windows and doors are airtight during the winter. Otherwise, you’ll just be wasting money and your home won’t be as warm and comfortable.

Windows are one of the major ways heat leaks out of your house. About 30% of your home’s heat escapes through holes or cracks around the windows and door. Make sure you repair or caulk those gaps.

Dodge the draft

Warm air is rushes out of your door while cold air is rushes in. The draft snake is one of the easiest ways to cut back on energy waste. It is actually very easy to create one yourself. You can use scrap fabrics and fill it with kitty litter or sand for heft. You can also use a rolled bath towel and place it under a drafty door.

Lower water heater temperature

Most manufacturers set water heaters at 140˚ F.  But the truth is, we don’t really need that much steam.  Add to that, it also poses a safety hazard – scalding. Lowering the water heater temperature to 120˚ F can help you save money; while still allowing you to enjoy a relaxing shower.

 

Easy Ways to Conserve Water This Summer in Weld County

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Water can be comparable to gasoline. It used to be cheap and plentiful, but with droughts now more common, water is now in limited supply and is also more expensive.

The hot months of summer may cause you to use more water than any other time of the year. From taking more showers to watering the lawn or filling the swimming pool, there are a lot of areas where we use more water during the summer months. Do your part and help conserve one of the world’s most vital resources. Here are a few tips to reduce water usage this summer.

Check for leaks

If you have undetected leaks around the house, you’re actually wasting 30-500 gallons of water a day. Check for leaks by putting a few drops of food coloring into your toilet tank. You’ll know there’s a leak if the water shows up in the bowl.

Call the plumber to inspect your pipes and address the problem. Also dispose cottons swabs, diaper wipes and facial tissues in the trash can. Do not flush them down the toilet.

Use a glass when brushing

You may not realize it, but if you keep the faucet turned on while brushing your teeth, you’re wasting about 4 gallons of water. That can easily translate to 3,000 gallons of water in a year.

Make it a habit to fill a glass with water when brushing your teeth. You’ll realize that it’s just enough to rinse your mouth and clean your toothbrush.

Time your water sprinkler

Of course, you want your lawn to look like the best one on the block. But in order to achieve that, you’ll need to run your sprinklers more than necessary. Good news is, you can still have a great-looking lawn without wasting too much water. All you need to do is to set the time on your system. Also, make sure they’re not sprinkling the sidewalk, driveway, street or the house. Target water exactly where you want it.

Cover the pool

If you’re fortunate enough to have a swimming pool in the backyard, be sure to cover it. This will not only keep the water from getting dirty, it also prevents evaporation. Remember, water evaporates quickly when the sun is high.