Why would someone install a dual water heater system in their home? A couple of reasons! A common one is that it’s a large family household and multiple people are using hot water for various reasons and in large amounts, such as multiple showers and bathrooms. Another is that they have a whirlpool bathtub that requires many gallons of water. Most whirlpools start at 65-gallons while most houses only have a standard 40-gallon tank installed. One solution is to have a 2^nd 40 or 50-gallon tank installed alongside the first. Leone Plumbing has installed these for their customers using a custom built manifold system to link the two together. This has a few benefits.

• There are 4 separate shut offs to isolate either of the water heaters in case one breaks down or starts leaking, giving the homeowner time to call their service provider to make necessary repairs or replacement
• If one breaks down, the homeowner will still have hot water by simple turning off the quick shut off valve we install on each tank
• If the family size is reduced, then homeowner can simply turn off one of the water heaters and operate off the other
• At Peak demand, the homeowner will have 80 to 100 gallons of water (doubling the amount of which one can provide)

On-Demand Water Heater Systems provide a different solution for families with the same issues as those that might consider dual water heaters. However, some additional reasons to choose an On-Demand are:

• To provide hot water to a hot tub or bathroom located outside the home so the hot water provided inside will not be reduced
• To boost dishwashers and/or washing machines
• To provide additional support for solar water heating systems
• Higher efficiency than standard water heater tanks over the lifetime of the unit

The main difference between the On-Demand and Dual Tank systems is that the On-Demand does not have a storage tank that holds the hot water. Instead, cold water runs through the pipes and is heated up, as needed, by either a gas burner or electric elements. This provides an endless supply of hot water for the household.

If you’re not getting enough hot water to shower with, or your water is not coming through hot enough, chances are that you need water heater repair.  The water that comes into your home through the piping is generally cool to cold, depending on the season. To get that water heated to a point that you can comfortably shower or bathe and wash clothing or dishes, you need a water heater. Most homes have water heaters. They are usually found in basements or laundry rooms and generally look like tall metal drums. The water heater is a relatively simple device, but one that, none-the-less, may require water heater repair at one point or another. A water heater is basically a cylindrical vessel that holds water while a heating element on the bottom or inside heats the water to a specified degree. They use the principal of heat rising to deliver hot water through the pipes and out your faucets. The thermostat on a water heater controls the temperature on the water that is held inside the water heater. Most models allow the owner to set the temperature between 120 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit. Although for general use, the recommended setting is between 120 and 140 degrees. Keeping your water heater set towards the lower end of the acceptable temperature range can help prevent scalding as well as save you money on your bills by using less energy. If you need water heater repair, many times it is because the thermostat is damaged and needs repair. When the thermostat is broken water may not become hot at all, or it may even become too hot, and that can be dangerous, especially if there are small children in the home. If water heater repair is not an option and you need to replace your existing water heater it is important to make sure that your new water heater is compatible. Make sure it has the same volume of water and wattage as your old water heater. You can generally find this information on the label of your old water heater. You should also purchase and install a new relief valve, as they should be replaced whenever you replace your water heater. The relief valve should be piped with ¾ inch piping to a point approximately 6 inches above the finished floor. Also, if you are replacing your water heater you should check the local codes with the building department; in some states the plumbing code requires a plumbing permit to replace a water heater, regardless of who is doing the installation. This is for your own protection, since an improperly installed water heater could become a projectile under certain conditions and cause damage to your home. And an insurance company is not going to want to pay up for the damages if the water heater was not installed by a professional. Generally speaking, if you need water heater repair or replacement, your best bet is to use a professional plumber.