Brooks Plumbing Co. Blog: Archive for February, 2013

Water Heater Installation: Tips for Selecting a New Water Heater

Monday, February 25th, 2013

Investing in any new appliance requires a certain amount of research and a lot of decision making. Before a water heater installation in Olympia, you need to know that you have made all of these decisions correctly. Contact the water heater experts at Brooks Plumbing Company to ensure that you get the right water heater installation in your home. Our professional Olympia plumbers have extensive knowledge of both tank and tankless water heaters. Whatever questions you have about your water heater installation, our team will have the answers. Contact us today for more information.

One of the biggest decisions you will need to make about your water heater is what size is appropriate for your home. In order to make this decision correctly you really need to consult a professional plumber in Olympia, WA. There is simply no way for you to be sure that your water heater is properly sized without the input of an expert. If your water heater is too small it will not provide you with the reliable performance you deserve, and if it is too large it will be heating water you simply don’t need. Get the most efficient performance possible from your water heater by ensuring it is the right size for your home.

You will also need to decide whether you want to purchase a tank or tankless water heater for installation in your home. Both have their benefits, so you should consult a professional Olympia water heater technician to decide which is best suited to your personal needs and habits. Storage tank water heaters are very dependable and hold a large reservoir of hot water at the ready. However, they do suffer some standby heat loss as they wait for use. They also require a certain amount of space. Tankless water heaters do not experience heat loss, as they heat water on demand. They can be overwhelmed if hot water is demanded at multiple points of use, though.

For more information about water heater installation in Olympia, WA, call Brooks Plumbing. We are always here to share our expertise. Our goal is to find you the perfect water heater for installation in your home.

Continue Reading

Water Heater FAQ: Can I Install My Water Heater On My Own?

Monday, February 18th, 2013

Brooks Plumbing Company has been offering Olympia, WA water heater installation services since 1994. We are dedicated to providing excellent customer service, and we take pride in the work that we do. Installing a water heater should be handled by a professional Olympia plumber. This is not a DIY job for many reasons, namely because you want to make sure that it is installed properly.

There are other reasons that you should only hire a qualified plumber to install your hot water heater. Gas water heaters, for instance, will require services from a certified plumber in Olympia, WA who is licensed to work with gas piping. There are also ventilation concerns that should be addressed by a qualified professional. Never try to install any type of gas appliance on your own. This is mainly for safety reasons, but you also want to make sure that it is installed to provide lasting results.

Professional installations also prevent repair needs. We see broken water heaters all the time that weren’t installed properly, and usually the repair is a result of this. This will cost you more in the long run, since you will most likely have more repair needs further down the road. You may have to even replace your water heater earlier than expected. Always call a professional Olympia plumber to install a new water heater.

In addition to installations, the Olympia WA water heater experts at Brooks Plumbing, Co. can also compare the different models with you and find the most cost-effective solution for your hot water needs. Call us any time to set up a consultation. Contact Brooks Plumbing Company today!

Continue Reading

Water Heater Installation FAQ: How to Compare Water Heater Models?

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Getting a new water heater can be a confusing project. There are so many different brands and models that comparing them can be difficult. The water heater in your home is used every single day for bathing and cleaning. You want to make sure that you get one that fits your home and will be able to provide enough hot water. At Brooks Plumbing, we provide complete water heater installation in Olympia WA. We want our customers to be comfortable in their homes and to get a water heater that is right for their home. That’s why we’ve put together a quick guide for how to compare water heater models.

Water Heater Capacity

Perhaps one of the main considerations you need to think about is how big a water heater you need have installed in your Olympia, WA home. There are many useful guides available to help you. If your old water heater wasn’t able to provide you with enough hot water then you would obviously want to compare the tank size and get a larger one. For the average 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms home a 50 or 60 gallon water heater tank is sufficient.

Water Heater Fuel

If you’re interested in changing the fuel you use to heat your water in your Olympia home you’ll need to compare the initial investment and ongoing cost of each system. Gas and electricity are the two main fuel sources for water heaters. Electric water heaters are generally less expensive up front but cost more to operate because they require more fuel. Electric water heaters also don’t need to be vented outside because they don’t burn fuel. However, gas systems normally cost less to run because gas is almost always cheaper than electricity and they require less fuel to operate. Also, gas water heaters are not impacted by power outages.

Water Heater Efficiency

Like most appliances, water heaters are given an efficiency rating. Your water heater likely comprises a large portion of your utility bill so getting an efficient one is crucial. Water heaters are given an Energy Factor (EF) rating that describes how efficiently they convert fuel into heat and how well they retain that heat. You should try to get a water heater with an EF rating as close to 1 as possible. Water heaters with EF ratings of .62 or higher are typically very good.

There are also new water heaters that are not given an EF rating. Instead they are rated based on their Thermal Efficiency. These water heaters can have a 90+% thermal efficiency rating which is very good.

If you’re interested in water heater installation in Olympia, WA call the experts at Brooks Plumbing today. Our Olympia plumbers can help you pick out a new water heater and then install it for you so that it works well for as long as possible. Contact Brooks Plumbing today!

Continue Reading

Water Heater Repair FAQ: What to Do if You Have a Broken Water Heater

Monday, February 4th, 2013

You probably don’t give too much thought to your water heater. When you turn on the faucet, hot water comes out and that’s that. It’s much more difficult to just forget about your water heater when it breaks down or is damaged, though. That appliance that makes your life so much easier and convenient can also cause some serious headaches when it breaks. Are you prepared to handle the situation if this happens in your Tumwater home? Here is some advice about what to do if your water heater breaks from Brooks Plumbing.

There are a number of different problems that you may experience with your water heater. One of the major issues that a water heater may encounter is a leak. Water heater leaks are very messy and can do a lot of damage. You need to act quickly in the event of leaking water heater.

Cut off the power to your water heater before you do anything. If your water heater runs on electricity just go to the circuit breaker and cut the power to your appliance. If you have a gas water heater find the gas valve supplying the device and close it off.

To avoid turning your basement into a swimming pool you should also shut off the cold water that supplies you water heater. This will prevent the water heater from refilling as water leaks out. You may not be able to stop the leak yourself, but this will help you prevent it from getting any worse.

The most important thing that you can do in such a situation is simply to call your local water heater service provider. A professional plumber will be able to pinpoint the location of the leak and resolve the problem. No leak is too small or minor to merit calling a professional plumber for repair service.

If your water heater in Tumwater breaks, call Brooks plumbing right away. One of our expert Tumwater plumbers will be along to resolve your problem quickly and effectively. Don’t let a broken water heater lead to water damage and other issues. Contact Brooks Plumbing today for Tumwater water heater repair services.

Continue Reading