How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

Posted on April 19, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

Tankless Water Heater Repair 317-784-1870

Traditional water heaters are designed with a large tank that stores heated water for the entire property. The water inside these tanks are kept warm continuously even when the water is not being used, which requires a constant supply of energy. The energy used to keep the water at a set temperature inside a traditional unit is referred to as “stand-by heat loss.” Tankless water heaters eliminate this wasted energy usage by not heating stored water, but rather, heating water up at the time of demand.

Tankless hot water heaters are available in gas, electric, point-of-use, and whole-house models. If a property is not already set up for gas fuel, then an electric unit would be the more cost-effective choice. The initial price of purchasing and installing a tankless water heater is typically high, but the long-term savings outweigh the upfront investment. And they can last for up to 20 years or more; a much longer life-span than traditional units. Tankless versions are a good fit for those who have very little space, environmentally-conscience, and looking to save money on future water and energy costs.

Tankless Water Heating

Tankless water heaters are also referred to as On-Demand or Instantaneous water heaters. Whether gas or electric, they use a simple process to heat water. When warm or hot water is requested, city water is sent into the property through a series of pre-existing water lines. At the same time, a powerful heating device called a heat exchanger is activated. The heat exchanger uses electric coils or a gas-fired burner to generate heat, and then transfer that heat to the water in order to warm it up. Heat exchangers are common devices used to transfer heat from one place to another. They are used in refrigerators, air conditioners, furnace systems, and even car radiators.

Once the water is heated to the demanded temperature, it is sent to the source, which can include faucets, dishwashers, washing machines, and more. Although it takes a minute for the water to reach the desired temperature, it saves a generous amount of water and energy. This efficiency is usually evident on energy, gas, and water bills.

If you are thinking about purchasing a tankless water heater, it is strongly suggested to consult a licensed plumbing technician for accurate recommendations and professional advice first. You might be better suited for a traditional style water heater instead. Get to know your hot water needs with the help of a skilled professional before making any final decisions about water heaters.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Indianapolis Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for professional water heater installation, service, sales, and more! Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, is happy to answer your questions about hot water heaters any time. We offer a wide range of water heater services, including water heater repair, installation, replacement, and even sales! And as a family owned and operated company, we maintain the most competitive prices in town. Call 317-784-1870 when you need water heater service in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas.

Why is My Tap Water Brown?

Posted on April 13, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

Water Softener Repair 317-784-1870

Municipal water plants and home plumbing is an essential technology that sets us apart from our earlier ancestors. Clean, fresh water right from the tap is a luxury we didn’t have hundreds of years ago, and a privilege that many of us take for granted. As long as our water stays the same, we don’t give it much thought. But homeowners do start to take interest in their water supply once it starts to change or take on some peculiar traits.

One common peculiarity is brown or discolored tap water. When this happens, it is important to take immediate action to resolve the issue and restore your home comfort before the root of the cause becomes worse, and more costly to repair. It is best for a small problem to be caught early on before major damage can occur to your home’s plumbing or appliances. Continue reading to learn why this happens to tap water and how to fix the problem within a reasonable budget.

Brown Faucet Water

Tap water should be virtually crystal clear, odorless, and have a neutral taste. But under poor circumstances, water can change color, lose clarity, and even have a metallic or rotten taste. These poor conditions can cause water to range in color, from light yellows and gold tones, to dark grey and brown tones. Solid particles and debris may also be visible in discolored tap water. Whatever the cause for the discoloration, it is not necessarily dangerous but certainly alarming, and a sign that something else is going wrong in your home plumbing. Fortunately, most circumstances that cause water to turn colors are easily reversible and inexpensive. But before fixing the problem, a licensed master plumber must first determine the cause.

Common causes for discolored or brown tap water:

Aging or rusted plumbing pipes. If the discoloration of tap water generally occurs first thing in the morning, or after a brief time away from home, it could very-well be rusty-old galvanized water supply lines. This is even truer if it is just one faucet delivering discolored water. The pressure caused by switching the water on and off loosens the rusted particles off of the piping, sending it straight out to the bathroom or kitchen faucet. Sometimes, this peeling exposes iron beneath the galvanic coating on the inside of the pipes, also causing the water to turn shades of brown.

High magnesium and iron levels. When tap water has excessive levels of iron and magnesium, it can cause water to change color and appear brown. This is common for homes supplied by underground wells. Sometimes, soil has high levels of iron in it, jeopardizing the ground water coloration.

Water main break. If a local water main breaks, or fire hydrants are being flushed, it can cause contaminants and debris to leak into home water supplies. These cases tend to work themselves out on their own once the water break is repaired. It usually takes about an hour or so for the water to clear up. For this reason, it is best to check with your local department before replacing any pipes or water heaters.

Water heater problems. If the brown or murky water is only coming from the hot water tap, you may need to steer your attention toward your water heater. If your water heater is over 10 years old, it may need replaced. Otherwise, it needs inspected and serviced by a qualified professional to eliminate these kinds of problems.

Fortunately, most of these problems can be solved with professional water heater repair, water filtration services, and water softening systems. Talk to your local and trusted plumbing company for help with water discoloration and plumbing problems in Central Indiana.

Weilhammer Plumbing CO. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for affordable water heater repair in Indianapolis and its surrounding areas. Master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 50 years of experience in the plumbing industry and knows just how to solve your meet your water heater problems. We offer free estimates, free advice, and a wide range of plumbing, water heater, and water softener services for commercial and residential properties. Call 317-784-1870 for water heater repair services in Indianapolis, IN today.

The Cons to Purchasing Water Heaters from Commercial Carriers

Posted on April 5, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

Indianapolis Plumbers 317-784-1870

If you are in the market for a new water heater, then you are probably shopping around at the local appliances stores, like Lowes® or Home Depot®. But there are several disadvantages to purchasing water heaters from large conglomerate carriers like these; disadvantages that typical consumers would never know about.

From the perspective of a veteran master plumber, buying water heaters should be facilitated through a licensed plumber who specializes in water heaters; and here’s why:

Salesmen Have One Agenda

When it comes to buying a large, costly appliance from a large commercial carrier, you are putting yourself at risk for a bad sell. Salesmen for these companies work mostly off commission, which means all they really care about is closing the sale. What they don’t really care about is matching the right water heater for your property, acknowledging your budget, and answering your questions honestly. They will tell you anything you want to hear in order to close the sale. They don’t care which water heater you choose, so long as you sign the papers. This could lead to a whole heap of problems for your home and budget.

Another downfall to buying expensive appliances from commission-based employees is the lack of industry knowledge. What can a salesman really know about water heaters, water heater repair, installation, and efficiency? The turn over rate for these kinds of salesmen are so high, there is no way they are employing experts in water heater knowledge. A master plumber or plumbing company not only specializes in the trade and can guide you through the selection and installation process proficiently, they can truly be trusted.

Poor Cost-Effectiveness

At a large company, water heaters are more expensive because they have to inflate the price in order to cover all their overhead and commission payouts. Inflated prices are bad enough, but it gets worse. Not only are water heaters more expensive at stores, they do not offer cost-effective packages. For example, if you buy a water heater from a large carrier or company, you will have to also pay extra for shipping, installation, service, warranties, and old appliance haul-away. Water heaters are already expensive purchases as it is, but from a commercial carrier, the price tag just keeps getting higher. They can easily tack on an extra $1,000 or more just for the additional services that are standard for water heater replacement.

Generally, a plumbing company that offers water heater sales offers their services at economy-based prices. They retain the resources, proficiency, and inventory to provide water heater sales, as well as, installation, service, and haul-away. You are going to get personalized and compassionate service at a smaller plumbing company that offers water heater services, rather than going to your local appliance store.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for trusted water heater services in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, is a state licensed master plumber with more than 50 years of experience in the industry. Our company has been family owned and operated for over 100 years, making us one of the oldest and most dependable plumbing companies in the city. We offer repair, installation, maintenance, replacement, service, and sales, all at the most competitive prices in town! When you need a new water heater, we are the professionals to trust. Call 317-784-1870 for information about buying water heaters in Indianapolis, IN and it surrounding areas.