AO Smith Hot Water Heater Proper Care And Maintenance

  AO Smith Hot Water Heater Proper Care And Maintenance Water heaters are one of the important appliances in your home that you need to maintain. As a certified AO Smith Hot Water Heater technician, we know very well how to maintain the unit. If you own an AO Smith Hot Water Heater or planning to have one, this article will help you how to maintain the unit safely on your own.

Maintaining your AO Smith Hot Water Heater

You can do the unit maintenance by yourself. But before you get your hands working, make sure that you turn off the unit before touching it. In your home’s breaker box, switch off the circuit breaker for the water heater first. After you have turned off the unit, you are good to go. Maintaining your AO Smith Hot Water Heater can be performed with these easy steps.
Check the temperature and pressure relief valve.
This should be done once a year. Annually test the temperature-pressure relief valve by discharging it quickly at least three times. While doing this, keep an eye for small leaks from the valve. If you see any drips, you need to repair the leaks or tighten the connections.
Watch out for leaks.
One of the culprits of water heater leaks is high water pressure or thermal expansion. You can control water pressure by installing a thermal expansion tank. To monitor the water pressure, you will need a water pressure gauge attached to the water heater drain valve or an outside faucet. If you find the water pressure reaches above 80 PSI, we recommend installing a pressure-reducing valve. We recommend setting the home’s water pressure to 50-60 PSI. Higher water pressure can damage your water heater and your plumbing system. Also, check the water heater flue pipe for any leaks that could result in carbon monoxide leaks. Inspection for leaks should be done every month. Do immediate repair if you find any leaks.
Check the anode rod.
This aluminum or magnesium rod should be checked from time to time and needs to be replaced if worn out. The anode rod helps in protecting the tank from leaks. To remove the anode rod, follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. You will know that you need to replace the rod if it looks slightly “chewed up” or most of the metal is gone.
Drain and Flush
Drain and flush the tank at least once a year. The first thing to do is you need to connect a garden hose to the drain valve and place the other end on a drain or outside. Using a screwdriver, open the drain valve and drain a few gallons of water. If the water looks cloudy, drain the tank until the water is clear.

Additional Maintenance and Safety Tips

Aside from routine maintenance, make sure that your water heater is not near any flammable materials such as gasoline, paint, and chemicals. Remove any combustible materials close by the unit to avoid incidents of fire. If you need urgent maintenance assistance, please feel free to contact us.
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Rinnai Tankless Water Heater: The Pros and Cons

Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Installation by Leone Plumbing

Rinnai tankless water heater installed by Leone Plumbing and Heating.

Tankless water heaters are growing popular with homeowners. Many homes are enjoying the advantage of going tankless. With the growing demand for tankless water heaters, we are picky in choosing the right unit for our installation service. One of the products that we highly recommend is the Rinnai tankless water heater.

Why Choose Rinnai Tankless Water Heater?

In your everyday domestic activities, there will be many instances in which you need hot water to get something done. You may need hot water every time you wash clothes, shower, bathing, doing dishes, and many others. Hot water can be highly on-demand in your home,  and you need a heavy-duty water heater. Rinnai tankless water heater has all the elements that a heavy-duty unit must have – available hot water on demand, durable, and energy-efficient.

The Pros and Cons of  Rinnai Tankless Water Heater

While we highly recommend Rinnai tankless water heater, there is no perfect product. Though we receive generally good points from this product, there are pros and cons too.

Pros:

Energy Saving
Rinnai tankless water heater only operates during the time you need it. That means less energy consumption. The traditional water heater, however, heats the water to a certain degree and stores the water in there (whether you need it or not). It will consume more energy to maintain the temperature throughout the day – which will translate to high energy bills. With a tankless water heater, you will save up to 50% of energy consumption.
Hot Water On Demand
It will take you several minutes to get hot water from a regular tank heater. But with a Rinnai tankless unit, hot water is available in seconds. The perk of having a tankless system is it provides a constant flow of hot water for as long as your household needs it.
Space-Saving
A tankless water heater is ideal for a home that wants enough space for other things. Rinnai tankless units don’t have large holding tanks so they can fit in any small spaces.
It Can Last Longer
Compared to a regular tank heater that can last for 10 years, Rinnai tankless units have a longer lifespan of about 20 years! That is how durable it is.

Cons:

Higher Purchase Cost
Rinnai tankless water heaters are costly to purchase and install compared to conventional heaters. Though the upfront cost is larger, it will save you money on energy bills throughout the year.
Large Units For Big Families
A small unit may not be able to keep up the demand of a household all at once. If you have a big family which uses the unit at the same time, you will need a large Rinnai tankless unit which costs more.

Go Tankless!

It is a wise investment to have a Rinnai tankless unit at home. If you want to go tankless or get your current unit serviced, we are always available for you! Talk to us today to find out more.  
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Dual Tanks & Tankless Water Heater Systems

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 2nd 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.
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Repairing or Replacing Water Heaters

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.
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March Water Heater Installation Special for Rochester, NY

Is Your Water Heater Leaking or Won’t Stay Lit? Contact Leone Plumbing and Heating Today for Fast Service

Water-Heater-Rochester-NYRochester, NY water heater repair and water heater installation is not something that should be put off. When the time is ready, call Leone Plumbing and Heating for service can save you time and money on water heater services. Our honest, up front pricing and expert technicians have a vast knowledge of water heaters and complete installation and maintenance. If it is time for you to get a new tankless water heater in Rochester, NY contact the repair specialists now. Trained to repair and install proper water heaters ranging from tankless to complete commercial setup. As a locally owned Rochester, NY plumbing technician company, Leone Plumbing and Heating knows what it takes to get the job done right, on time and on budget. For fast service call (585) 458-5800 and mention this website. You may also fill out the form to the right.
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Tankless Water Heater vs. Tank Water Heater in Rochester, NY

Tankless Water Heater vs. Tank Water Heater in Rochester, NY

A debate that has been going around the Rochester area for the last couple of years has been tankless vs tank water heaters. Several years ago tankless water heaters were very popular here in Rochester and the buzz has faded recently. Here are the pros and cons to both types of water heaters. Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons for  Pros: The best thing about a tankless water heater is that you will never run out of hot water, assuming you don’t have a mechanical failure. Another pro is that you do not have to wait to take a shower after someone else takes a shower like you do with a tank water heater. If you have a big family you know what I am talking about. Cons: If you are trying to convert from a tank water heater to a tankless it can be challenging. Most of the time the gas that is supplied for a tank water heater is not enough to support a tankless. Rochester’s water is very hard on the heat exchanger of a tankless water heater and accessories have to be added in order to meet manufactures warranty, which means more money. Another con that can come with a tankless water heater is having to rework venting if the conversion is made to tankless. Most of the cons that come from a tankless water heater happen when trying to convert from a tank to a tankless. Usually it is better to install a tankless when building a new home or doing a remodel. Tank Water Heater Pros: One thing about tank water heaters that compares to a tankless water heater is that they use very little gas and electricity. Even though tankless water heater manufacturers boast about the low gas usage, remember that most gas companies still charge you a minimum amount every month just to have gas service. In my opinion the two even out because a tank only uses about the minimum amount of gas usage every month and the gas that it takes to run a tankless, after it has not been used, cost about the same in the end. Another pro is replacing and installing a tank water heater can be very cost effective versus a new tankless water heater. The average amount it takes to install a new tankless water heater is about $2000 to $5000 depending on the application. A tank water heater will average out at about $800 depending on the size. Cons: Hot water will run out and like I said earlier in this article you will have to wait for the tank to fill and heat back up. This can take up to 45 minutes to get the temperature back to set point. Like a tankless water heater, Rochester’s hard water is hard on a tank. I highly recommend buying extended warranties, this can come in handy if your water heater fails. I hope that these pros and cons have shed some light on tankless and tank water heaters. Either way I would only recommend installing a tankless water heater into a new home or bathroom remodel condition. What are your pros and cons of a tankless or tank water heater?
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