Tag: water heaters

5 Water Heater Accessories To Improve Your Heater’s Effectiveness

Oct 25, 2021

5 Water Heater Accessories To Improve Your Heater’s Effectiveness

  • Water Heaters
water heater accessories

A properly installed and maintained water heater will operate efficiently and effectively for years after it’s purchase. And while most systems are more than suited to keeping your household comfortable, we at McHales  believe even good things can be made better. That’s why we’ve compiled this quick list of five water heater accessories you can purchase and install to improve the effectiveness and safety of your equipment. 

  1. Timers Perfect for the energy-conscious customer, these devices help cut down on the power your heater draws when not in-use.  These devices get wired directly into the unit’s electrical supply and can be set so the water heater only draws electricity at specified times, making sure your water heater is never acting like an energy vampire. 
  2. Expansion Tanks These are pretty simple, as they just provide extra tank-space for more water. Ideal for homes that have had additions built and require additional heating, more tank space means more water, which inevitably means more heat. 
  3. Water Heater Pan Another fairly standard item, the pan acts as a reservoir to collect excess/overflowing water. The pan has an opening in the side for a drain hose to carry away any overflow water. While seemingly mundane on its own, the pan is especially effective when combined with our next entry…
  4. Leak Detectors and Alarms. These little gizmos can be real life-savers. They sit either in the pan beside the water heater. If the heater leaks or overflows, the alarm will sense the liquid coming into the pan and give an audible alarm to alert the homeowner that there’s a problem. Some of these alarms are even equipped with Wi-Fi so you can be alerted on your phone. A leak detector/alarm can be a huge money-saver should your water heater ever spring a leak, giving you an early heads-up on the problem. 
  5. Water Heater Stands. These accessories raise gas units off the ground, protecting them (and your home) from fire should flammable liquid spill nearby. When installing one of these devices, note that it will have an impact on your measurements along with your plumbing and venting. Unless you’re a plumbing expert yourself, are absolutely going to want to have a professional on-hand for a stand installation to make sure everything goes smoothly.

Consult With Your Plumber  There are plenty of water heater accessories out there to make your equipment that much more effective at keeping your home comfortable. Give us a call at McHales today and ask us about possible water heater accessories and other ways you can increase your equipment’s safety and effectiveness!

Have any questions about water heaters? Call McHale’s Today!

Schedule a consultation with a call to McHale’s today!

Read Reviews From Our Happy Customers!

By McHales

What to Consider Before You Purchase a Water Heater

Oct 25, 2021

What to Consider Before You Purchase a Water Heater

  • Water Heaters
purchase a water heater

Your water heater isn’t something you think about until you need to. Tucked away in the garage, you just don’t notice it until it stops working and needs to be repaired or replaced. Even if your water heater is still working, it’s a good idea to evaluate older equipment to ensure it’s working efficiently. If your home is older and the water heater hasn’t been replaced in some time, you may be paying more than you need to for hot water.

When It’s Time For A New Water Heater

You may be tempted to head down to your local big box home center and select a water heater to install yourself. However, there are several reasons this isn’t a good idea. Aside from things that can go awry in the installation process, choosing the right water heater for your home isn’t as easy as it seems. Here are some things to consider:

What Kind Of Water Heater?

You have options, and the type of water heater can make a difference in hot water availability and energy efficiency. Here are the basic types of water heater you may choose from:

  • Conventional storage water heaters. This is the kind you are probably most familiar with. It’s the large tank variety found in many homes. These water heaters come in various sizes. If you choose this kind of water heater, it’s important that you get the right one to ensure you have adequate hot water but also save on energy costs.
  • Tankless (on demand) water heaters. Heats the water without needing a storage tank.
  • Solar water heaters.
  • Indirect water heaters.
  • Tankless coil water heaters. These water heaters are best suited for a certain climate.

When You Don’t Have The Right Water Heater

If you are using a water heater that isn’t right for your home, you can run into problems. Aside from not having an adequate supply of hot water, you can also lose energy efficiency, resulting in higher utility bills. If your water heater is working too hard, you may need more frequent repairs. In some cases, the wrong water heater can result in water contamination. It’s important that you choose a water heater that is suited to the size of your home and your individual water consumption needs.

The Benefits Of Choosing The Right Water Heater

The right water heater will run efficiently. This means your heating bill will be lower, and you will still have enough hot water for showers, dishes, etc. You will have cleaner, healthier water and you will be less likely to run into problems. This means fewer repairs and a water heater that lasts for years.

Features You Should Be Looking For

It’s a good idea to know what to consider before you shop around for your water heater. What type of water heater should you choose? What are the pros and cons and what features are most important to you. It may be that you value an eco-friendly, energy efficient water heater above all else.  If that is the case, you might consider a tankless water heater, known for efficiency and conservation.

If your household demands a great deal of hot water, then you will be looking for a water heater that provides high output in the most efficient manner possible. You’ll find that your newer water heater will be more efficient than an older model of a similar type. Your current water heater may work just fine for you, but replacing it with a similar model will give efficiency a boost.

Cost is another consideration. The temptation may be to save some money and buy a less expensive model. The problem is that you could end up spending more money in the long run. Repairs and replacement will cancel out your initial savings, making a cheap water heater anything but a bargain.

Your fuel type is something else to think about. Energy sources typically used include gas, electricity, propane and solar. You’ll have to do some research to determine whether you should switch from your current fuel type to something else. For example, if your current water heater is an electric one, you may think about switching to gas. Figuring out your annual operation cost as well as the cost to switch from one to another is something you will want to talk to a professional about.

Getting Advice About Your Water Heater

If you are in need of a new water heater, your best bet is to consult a professional. Hot water is a daily need. It requires equipment that runs reliably and efficiently. Your water heater can cost you a great deal of money each and every year if you make the wrong choice. Talk to someone who knows what they are doing. Getting equipment and installation assistance from a reputable source can save money and headaches later on.

Have any questions about water heaters? Call McHale’s Today!

Schedule a consultation with a call to McHale’s today!

Read Reviews From Our Happy Customers!

By McHales

5 Signs You Need a Water Heater Replacement in Pennsylvania

Aug 16, 2020

5 Signs You Need a Water Heater Replacement in Pennsylvania

  • Plumbing
  • Water Heaters
water heater replacement in Pennsylvania by McHale's

No appliance will work forever, and that applies to your water heater, as well. One day, you’ll find out that you need a water heater replacement for your Pennsylvania home. The big question is whether you decide to get a new water heater before or after it fails and floods your basement. Knowing when you should swap out your water can be the difference between a small cash investment versus a major investment to also fix up some water damage. McHale’s can help you learn when it’s time to retire your water heater.

Here are five signs that should have you looking for a water heater replacement for your Pennsylvania home:

 

Rusty and/or muddy water

Rust in your water is a sign of internal corrosion in either your plumbing pipes or your water heater. If the pipes or internal tank corrosion isn’t the problem, check for rust on the tank seams, the water supply line, the drain valve, and the temperature and pressure release valves. Meanwhile, muddy water is a sign that sediment is building up in your tank. You can clear it out by flushing the tank. However, be careful if you’re flushing your tank for the first time after years of neglect. The sediment may create and plug up holes in the tank, and flushing it out may open up these holes. Holes like these are clear-cut signs a replacement is necessary.

 

Tank leaks

Standing water and a leaking water tank are sure signs you need to get a new water heater. Sadly, there’s no easy fix for cracks and leaks. We suggest calling us as soon as you can and talk about getting a new water heater.

 

Old age

A simple indicator of your water heater’s health is how long it has been in use. Tank water heaters can last around ten to fifteen years if properly cared for, so start looking at replacements when yours gets to ten years old. If you don’t know when yours was installed, you can find out by checking the serial number. The exact method depends on what manufacturer made your water heater, so check online at their website to learn how old yours is.

 

Strange noises

Major appliances like your water heater always make a bit of noise when working. However, pops, cracks and other loud noises are signs of sediment that needs to be cleaned out. When sediment builds up in the tank and eventually solidifies at the bottom of the tank, air pockets in the sediment make noise by boiling along with the water. You can clean out the sediment with flushing, but if the noise continues, you should call us for a replacement, as your tank may be close to an internal failure. Also, don’t forget about the warning about sediment we mentioned under ‘Rusty and/or muddy water.’

 

Too little hot water

Sediment can do more than damage your tank. It can also block off the heating element from the water, preventing it from heating your water. This forces the heating element to work harder to heat your tank, costing you more money and wearing out your heating element. Eventually, this can eat away at the inside of the tank and cause a leak. Annual tank flushing can keep this issue at bay. Also, getting a water softener can help prevent the minerals that damage your tank.

 

Why trust McHale’s with my plumbing’s health?

McHales, Inc. is a client-focused plumbing and electrical company that strives to ensure the highest level of customer satisfaction. John Sr. and Anna May McHale started the family business in 1950. Since that time we’ve provided our customers with prompt, dependable service at a reasonable cost. We use quality materials installed by skilled, courteous craftsmen. Now we are into our Third Generation in the business and we are still following John Sr.’s very simple philosophy ” We do what we say we’re going to do!”. That philosophy is still the backbone of the company today. Call McHale’s, Inc. today to learn more about our water heater replacement services!

By McHales

Do You Need a Tankless Water Heater?

Feb 17, 2020

Do You Need a Tankless Water Heater?

  • Plumbing
  • Water Heaters
tankless water heater installation by McHales in Bucks County, PA

Tankless Water Heater Installation

Your Go-To Bucks County Plumber

Do you need a new water heater? If you’re looking to upgrade to a newer model, you may want to consider switching to tankless. Not only is it energy efficient, it allows you to have hot water whenever you need it. Here’s what you need to know about investing in a tankless water heater.

Benefits of Switching to a Tankless Water Heater

  1. You’ll have an endless supply of hot water. If you’ve ever planned on taking a long, hot bath after work only to find out that all the hot water has been used up, then you know how frustrating a storage tank water heater can be. Conventional models store hot water in a tank — but when that water runs out, you have to wait until the tank is full and all the water is heated before you’ll have hot water again. With a tankless water heater, the water is run over a heating element as soon as hot water is demanded at the point of use. That means you’ll never have to wait for hot water again — and the water won’t turn cold in the middle of a shower, either.
  2. The appliance has a longer lifespan. A storage tank water heater has an approximate lifespan of between 12 and 15 years. A tankless model, however, has a lifespan of around 20 years, so your investment lasts much longer.
  3. An on-demand water heater requires less maintenance. A storage tank water heater requires considerable maintenance. In addition to scheduling annual tune-ups, you need to regularly perform maintenance yourself. Part of this maintenance involves flushing out the tank, which can be a lengthy job. A tankless water heater still requires maintenance, but far less. You might have to clean it once or twice a year yourself, but the main thing is to schedule annual maintenance by a professional plumber who can keep the appliance clean and in good working order.
  4. There’s no risk of water damage. It’s also important to note that with a tankless water heater, you don’t run the same risk of water damage as with a storage tank model. If a storage tank model leaks, it needs to be replaced, which is a significant cost. Plus, the resulting water damage can lead to thousands of dollars of repairs to your home.
  5. A tankless model is more energy-efficient. Because a tankless water heater doesn’t have to keep a full tank of water heated, it consumes far less energy than a tankless model. That means you’ll reduce your carbon footprint.
  6. Your energy bills will go down. Since a tankless water heater consumes less energy than a conventional one, you’ll notice that your energy bills will be lower at the end of each month.

To learn more about tankless water heating services in Bucks County, or to schedule a consultation, call McHale’s today!

By McHales

5 Reasons to Install a Tankless Water Heater in Pennsylvania

Jul 12, 2019

5 Reasons to Install a Tankless Water Heater in Pennsylvania

  • Water Heaters
tankless water heater in Pennsylvania by McHale's

Are you considering replacing your water heater with a newer model? In addition to gas and electric water heaters, our company also offers tankless water heaters. As the name implies, these water heaters don’t use the tanks you normally see with water heaters. There are a wide variety of reasons to switch to a tankless water heater in Pennsylvania.

Here are five reasons to consider switching to a tankless water heater in Pennsylvania:

 

Save money and the environment

Tankless gas water heaters let you save on energy bills while also saving the environment. The average tankless water heater has an 80% efficiency rate and an 82% recovery rate. In addition, they also only provide hot water when needed. This means you’ll spend less money on energy bills, while also reducing your carbon footprint.

 

Cleaner water

You may not get to see it very often, but the inside of a water tank can look pretty nasty. As water sits inside the tank, the water stagnates somewhat and leaves behind hard water stains on the inside of the tank. Tankless water heaters boil and heat the water as it passes through the pipes, preventing it from sitting and becoming stale.

 

Longer lasting with fewer breakdowns

Tankless water heaters are much easier to maintain than their tank-based counterparts. On average, a water heater with a tank can last about six to twelve years. Meanwhile, tankless water heaters can go beyond twenty years This long life also takes into consideration that tankless water heaters require less maintenance over its lifespan, meaning less costly breakdowns, saving you even more money!

 

Save space

Since they don’t have to worry about having a big clunky tank, tankless gas water heaters take up about a third of the space of a regular tank-based water heater. In addition, they’re designed with modern technology that makes smaller and lighter than other water tanks, with some models weighing in at five pounds. They can even be mounted to walls so you can save even more space. This will free up precious storage in your basement or utility closet.

 

No more waiting for hot water

Without the hassle of storage, there are no problems with water storage for your family. With traditional tank-style water heaters, you have to “prep” the water by waiting for the entire tank to heat up. This results in wasted water while you let the cold water run. You could avoid this with a re-circulating pump, but then you’re wasting electricity and energy. Your average tankless heater can comfortably provide a full-sized home with three bedrooms and two bathrooms, without any of the wait time.

 

What makes McHale’s a great source for water heaters and water heater installation?

For almost 70 years, McHale’s has been providing professional home service to homeowners around Levittown, PA. Our state-of-the-art showroom lets you see how your water heater will look under various lighting conditions. When you’ve made your selection, we’ll assign a certified installation crew to help install your new water heater. They’ll do their best to make the installation easy on you, including hauling away any debris they make. If you’re curious about water heaters, call McHale’s today!

By McHales