The True Facts About Electric and Gas Water Heaters

Posted on June 25, 2020 by weilhammerplumbing

When it comes time to buy a new water heater, whether for a new construction home or an older one you’ve been living in for a while, you will be faced with the decision to remain with the power source your property is equipped with, or swap out for something different. There are various make and model hot water heaters to choose from, including tankless, instantaneous, solar-powered, and more. But, the top two most common and popular choices are gas water heaters and electric water heaters.

Continue reading to learn the difference between gas and electric water heaters, and how to determine which one is right for your property’s needs.

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Gas Water Heaters

A gas water heater is powered by, you guessed it, gas. It burns gas to heat the water. The most common make and model gas water heaters include Rheem and Bradford White. These are among the top-performing water heater appliances on the market, and economically-priced. When it comes to gas water heaters, they are usually a good choice. However, see our blog, “The Dangers of FVIR Gas Water Heaters” to learn why you should not consider a Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant water heater.

Electric Water Heaters

An electric water heater uses a property’s energy and electricity supply to heat water. It works by using electric resistant coils to heat the water and distribute it throughout a building or home. They come in two primary models, tankless and tank-style. When choosing an electric water heater, the most important feature to look for are heavy-duty stainless steel heating elements. These will last a long time, while others will burnout and require replacement. Non-recommended water heater brands with low review scores include A.O. Smith, Whirlpool Energy Smart, Sears, and State Select water heaters. See our blog, “Electric Water Heaters: Need to Know Info” to learn more about these brands.

Comparison of the Two

According to personal reviews, statistics, and industry testing, gas water heaters are said to heat up water faster than electric units. They will even continue to supply hot water if the power goes out! They are perfect choices for larger families and properties with many people. An electric water heater has trouble keeping up with a steady hot water demand. This makes them perfect for homes with one or two people, such as single-family homes and apartments.

When it comes to cost-efficiency, gas water heaters are a more lucrative buying option over a long period of time. This is because they use gas rather than electricity, saving money on monthly utility and energy bills. Electric water heaters are still a popular choice because many people do not want an open flame constantly lit beneath the unit. Also, electric water heaters are perceived as more energy-efficient, and can last longer with less maintenance than gas units.

How to Determine Which One is Right For You

In most cases, if a property is already set up for gas usage, then a gas water heater would be the most convenient and cost-effective choice. On the other hand, if your property is set up for electricity usage, then an electric water heater would be a great choice. In order to choose the right gas or electric water heater for your property, you must consider these important factors:

☑ The number of occupants within the property.
☑ The square-footage of your property.
☑ Your property’s monthly water usage.
☑ Your future water heating needs.
☑ The amount of time you plan on living or occupying your property.

With the answers to all these questions, you can gauge which size, capacity, and power-source of water heater is best for your budgeting and your plans. Talk to a licensed Indianapolis plumber to get professional water heater procurement advice you can trust.

Where to Get Trusted Hot Water Heater Installation and Service in Indianapolis

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for professional advice, installation, and repair for all make and model water heaters in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner, Mark Weilhammer, is a state-licensed master plumber who employs a team of licensed and insured plumbing contractors with decades of experience. We offer a wide range of standard and master plumber services for residential and commercial properties, and specialize in water heater installation and repair. Call 317-784-1870 to request a free estimate for Indianapolis water heater installation, today.

What Master Plumber Mark Weilhammer Has to Say About Tankless Water Heaters

Posted on May 9, 2019 by weilhammerplumbing

Did you call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. recently to inquire about tankless water heaters? If so, allow me to apologize if I bruised your feelings by pointing out all the political hype, flaws, and half-truths about tankless water heaters. Complaints are very easy to find on the internet about tankless heaters, but if your mind is already made up about purchasing and installing one, I am more than capable of referring you to an appliance company that will gladly, without thinking twice, take around $4,000 of your hard-earned money.

Indianapolis Plumbing Repair 317-784-1870

The reality is, I have nothing to gain by providing you with this information that I’ve acquired throughout the 40 years of my hands-on experience in the plumbing and water heating industry. I simply wish to help you to make an informed decision without a single string attached.

My Motto: “Keeping things simple usually works out for the best.”

Don’t Fall For the Hype Without Educating Yourself

Remember to read all of the fine print with tankless heaters before purchasing one. You see, “going green” with a tankless heater basically reminds me of my solar water heater experience back the ‘80’s. It’s the same marketed hype and half-truths on energy savings, “fuzzy math” on ROI, and promise of “energy tax credits”, all of which is designed to entice consumers to buy one. As for me, I will not fall for any of the hype, and I hope you do not either.

Don’t get me wrong; l love trees just as much as the next guy. But regardless of what the mass media and government say about “going green” with tankless water heating systems, you are not going to save money, let alone the planet for that matter, by opting for a tankless model.

Want to Go Green? Put Your Efforts into Something More Viable

If you insist on becoming a more eco-friendly version of yourself, it is much wiser (and greener) to use your hard-earned money to invest it in better insulation or windows in your home. I guarantee that you will see a dramatic savings in doing these two upgrades, rather than wasting spending $4,000 or more on a tankless water heater.

Call Me for Free Advice, Anytime!

Call me, Mark Weilhammer, owner and operator of Weilhammer Plumbing, at 317-784-1870 for free advice regarding water heater sales, installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement. I have more than 40 years of experience in the plumbing industry, and offer a wide range of water heater services for both commercial and residential properties, including free advice! Call me during regular office hours, or leave a message and I will return your call the following morning.

Water Heater Warranty Reminders for Homeowners

Posted on January 9, 2017 by weilhammerplumbing

Water Heater Repair and Service 317-784-1870

As a homeowner, you most likely have a water heater somewhere in the house. If not, you own another type of appliance that heats the homes’ water. When it comes to owning a water heater, certain precautions must be taken; and buying a warranty is one of them. In these warranties; however, there can be some fine writing that is, often times, overlooked by the average home owner. Be sure to dig deep into the warranties offered by water heater brands, and learn where you’re protected and where you’re not.

Know the Length of Your Warranty

Do you know if your water heater is currently under warranty? Do you know how long your warranty is for? In most cases, water heater warranties range anywhere from one to five years. If your appliance is older than five years, you may not be covered under your manufacturer’s warranty anymore. If you are still under warranty, be sure to check out the limitations and constrictions in your purchasing agreement. See how long your warranty is in place. Once you have this information, you can determine whether or not you can use your warranty for repair, need a new warranty, or a new water heater altogether.

New Warranty vs. New Water Heater

If your water heater is already four or five years old on a six year warranty, is it a better choice to buy a new water heater with a brand new warranty protection; or to keep your aging appliance and purchase a new warranty? This is a decision many homeowners face when it comes to water heater warranties. The best way to determine which decision suits your needs best, is to ask yourself a few questions. Do you plan to live in the home for another five to six years? If so, perhaps purchasing a new unit would be more beneficial. You can have a brand new high performance appliance, with a brand new warranty attached. On the other hand; are you moving or selling the home soon? If so, then re-purchasing another warranty is probably a better financial position, long-term.

Indianapolis Water Heater Repair You Can Trust!

Weilhammer Plumbing Company Indianapolis Indiana

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Company at 317-784-1870 for prompt and professional Indianapolis water heater repair or to request free information about water heater warranties, anytime. Master plumber and owner, Mark Weilhammer, has more than 50 years of experience in the plumbing service industry. In fact, our family owned and operated company has been in business for over 100 years! That’s experience you can trust! Call today for reliable water heater repair in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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 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.

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. for Affordable Water Heater Service and Repair in Indianapolis!

Posted on February 8, 2016 by weilhammerplumbing

You can get high-quality plumbing repair and water heater services at an affordable price! And in a time-frame that’s convenient for you!

Indianapolis Water Heater Service and Repair

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. is owned and operated by Mark Weilhammer, a state-licensed master plumber in Indianapolis, IN. Here at the Weilhammer Plumbing Company, we are passionate about integrity and quality workmanship. That is why our master plumbers stay trained and up-to-date on all advancements in plumbing technology and repair.

On top of standard commercial and residential plumbing service, we also provide professional water heater service and repair. We service and repair all make and model water heaters for commercial and residential properties, but if you need water heater replacement, we also carry top-of-the-line Rheem water heaters at an affordable cost!

Call 317-784-1870 for information about our water heater repair services, prices, and availability today!

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Today!

Water heater service, installation, and repair shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg! That is why Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. offers the most competitive rates in town. As a company that has been locally and family owned since 1901, we understand that value of a dollar, and never take advantage of our clients with inflated plumbing repair costs and labor. You can rest assure that you are getting the most honest quote, highest quality work, and most competitive price for water heater service in Indianapolis!

Even if you do not require water heater repair, your existing unit still requires routine maintenance, inspection, and servicing. And our master plumbers can provide all of these services in just one visit! Call our office today at 317-784-1870 and speak with a friendly and knowledgeable company representative about our quality water heater repair services in Indianapolis, IN.

How to “Go Green” with Indoor Plumbing

Posted on August 18, 2015 by weilhammerplumbing

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In today’s world, eco-friendly practices and lifestyles are popular ventures for families, homes, businesses, schools, and more. “Going green” is a positive trend that almost anyone can achieve with a few mindful changes. Simply turning the water faucet off while you brush your teeth, for instance, is a great start; as well as, recycling your water bottles and soda cans, keeping the lights off in unoccupied rooms, closing the shades on a hot day, investing in rain barrels for water flowers, and much more.

The possibilities are endless for greener living, and as for plumbing, the principle is the same. There are several options for home and business owners that desire an Eco-friendlier plumbing system. So if you are interested in going green yourself, continue reading to learn how indoor plumbing can be eco-friendly and energy efficient.

Pressure Reducing Valves (PRV)

Contact a reputable master plumber to have your plumbing valves replaced with pressure reducing ones. You see, the average home’s water pressure is usually set too high, around 70 psi or more. It can stand to go a little lower, closer to 35 or 40 psi, for the sake of saving energy and reducing water consumption. Installing pressure reducing valves can improve energy efficiency and conserve water, which of course reduces monthly utility costs as well!

High-Efficiency Toilets (HET)

A great way to conserve more water each month is to replace your existing toilet with a high efficiency version. Older model toilets still use over 3 gallons of water per flush, but fortunately, modern federal regulations mandate that all new toilets must not use more than 1.6 gallons per flush. This was certainly a leap in the right direction, but it can get better. Installing a high-efficiency toilet can get the amount of water per flush down to as low as 1.2 gallons!

High-Efficiency Water Heaters

Just like toilets, you can also replace your existing water heater for a modern high-efficiency version. Tankless and on demand water heaters are common examples of a high-efficiency water heaters. They only heat water when it’s requested, rather than running all day to store hot water in a tank. This reduces energy and lowers utility costs.

Plumbing Fixtures

There are a couple plumbing fixtures you can replace to make your home more energy efficient and environmentally conscience. For example, you can choose to swap out your shower-heads for high-performance versions. These eco-friendly versions use virtually 30% less water than the average standard shower-head fixture. And you won’t even notice the difference in water pressure because they are designed to effectively use water to produce a satisfying and fulfilling shower experience.

In addition to shower-heads, you can install water-saving faucets too. These eco-friendly faucets use less water but still maintain adequate water pressure. This saves up to one gallon of water per minute! This is a wise installation for bathrooms, kitchens, outdoor faucets, and more.

Indianapolis Master Plumber

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 when you need a licensed master plumber in Indianapolis and its surrounding towns. Master plumber Mark Weilhammer, and his team of licensed plumbing contractors, provide a wide range of skilled plumbing services for both residential and commercial properties. Call 317-784-1870 for prompt and professional plumbing repair in Indianapolis you can trust!

What is a Hybrid Water Heater?

Posted on June 1, 2015 by weilhammerplumbing

Indianapolis Plumbers 317-784-1870

When looking to buy a new water heater for your home or office, it is vital to consider your hot water needs, as well as, other influential aspects, in order to choose the right one. Aspects like a property’s square-footage, the number of occupants, the local water table levels, eco-friendly agendas, and more all influence the type of water heater that’s right for you. There are several make and model hot water heaters on the market, from the traditional gas and electric, to the more modern tankless and portable styles. But many consumers are starting to hear about a new type of water heater that combines both tank and tankless styles. These water heaters are called hybrids.

Continue reading to learn more about hybrid hot water heaters and whether they are right for your home or office.

Hybrid Water Heaters

Hybrid water heaters are applauded for their energy-saving benefits. On average, twenty percent of a home’s energy usage is from heating water. This number can be dramatically reduced with the installation of a hybrid water heater. Not only does this help the environment, it saves money on monthly utility bills too. There are other styles of water heaters that are also very energy-efficient, so talk to your local plumbing contractor about those options too. But as for hybrid water heaters, they are highly beneficial for more than just energy-efficiency.

How They Work

Tankless and tank-style water heaters heat water from the bottom of the tank. Tank-styles heat water from the bottom of the tank, making air to rise up and exit from the top, allowing some heat to escape. Tankless water heaters also heat from the bottom but the water travels through copper piping rather than stored in a tank. In a hybrid system, it uses both pipes and a tank to heat and store water. Rather than just copper piping, like tankless styles, a hybrid water heater uses several pipes, up to 40 or more, that heat up. When water flows through them, it heats up fast. Unused heated water is transferred to a reservoir inside a hybrid water heater, and stored for future demand.

There are only a few models of hybrid water heaters on the market, such as the Eternal Hybrid Water Heater or the GE Hybrid Water Heater. The GE version has technology that absorbs heat from the surrounding air to warm water, while other versions involve other technologies like super capacitors, batteries, fuel cells, and more. Hybrids are more expensive than traditional models, costing anywhere between $2,000 and $3,000 or more, depending on the retailer.

Again, talk to your local master plumber for details about choosing the right type of water heater for your home and the installation and maintenance process.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc.

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Call Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. at 317-784-1870 for information about water heater installation and repair in Indianapolis, Indiana. Owner and master plumber, Mark Weilhammer, has been in the industry for more than 50 years! He and our team of licensed master plumbers retain all the knowledge, resources, and experience to provide accurate diagnostics and information regarding hot water heaters and more. Call 317-784-1870 and speak with a licensed master plumber in Indianapolis, IN about hot water heater installation, sales, repair, and more.

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. Offers Master Water Heater Repair in Indianapolis, Indiana!

Posted on February 27, 2015 by weilhammerplumbing

Weilhammer Plumbing Company 317-784-1870

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. has been a family owned and operated company for more than 100 years in Indiana! Our owner, Mark Weilhammer, is a state licensed master plumber with over 50 years of experience in the plumbing industry. The reason our business has remained successful and even thrived through the bad economic times, was due to our sincere dedication to customer service and our proficient plumbing skills. We have served the Hoosier community for so many decades, it is no wonder we are Indy’s most trusted plumbing company! With credentials like these, you can trust you are receiving the most honest, reliable, and accurate plumbing services in town. Call us today at 317-784-1870 and speak directly with a master plumber in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Get Prompt and Professional Master Plumbing Services for Water Heaters and More in Indianapolis!

Weilhammer Plumbing Co. Inc. is known for its long Indiana history, impeccable plumbing skills, and honest prices; but now it’s time you know we offer maintenance, repair, installation, and replacement services for all make and model water heaters; and for both residential and commercial properties! Visit our water heater repair webpage to learn more about our services and company credentials. On top of water heater repair in Indianapolis, we also sell water heaters at the most competitive prices in Indiana! Call 317-784-1870 for licensed water heater repair services in Indianapolis, IN you can afford.