Central Plumbers - Plumbing and Drain Cleaning - Serving Rio Rancho and Albuquerque

Central Plumbing, your full service Albuquerque and Rio Rancho plumbing company. Located in Rio Rancho, we serve Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and surrounding areas. Expert technicians, free estimates. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Why do i need a licensed contractor to install my water heater?

All water heaters installed in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and surrounding areas must be installed by a licensed contractor and inspected by the city having jurisdiction. But why? Its fairly easy to buy an inexpensive water heater from one of the big box stores and have your self or your handyman friend or hook it up. Right? Why spend the extra money to have a licensed contractor install it?

Well there are many reasons why you must have your water heater installed by a professional. Only a licensed contractor knows and must follow the code when installing a water heater. The way your water heater was installed 10-15 years ago will not be how it should be installed today. There can be many “code violations” which need to be identified and fixed when installing the water heater and before a final inspection is done. These are necessary to ensure the unit will operate in a safe manner. There was close to half a million residential house fires in 2006 and a portion of those fires were caused by gas fired appliances like water heaters being installed incorrectly. There are also many deaths and sickness reported from carbon monoxide inhalation from gas burning appliances like water heaters. If your water heater isn't vented properly or the room is not provided with sufficient air ventilation it can result in an environment with high levels of carbon monoxide. Colorless and odorless carbon monoxide cannot be detected by humans. It can make you very sick and even lead to death if you are exposed to it for long enough. Something else to consider is the fact that if your incorrectly installed, un-inspected water heater causes fire damage to your home the insurance company has grounds to dismiss your claim because of negligence on your part. These dangers are very real and that is why these codes are created and enforced. Don t take the risk, have your water heater installed by a licensed professional.

Re-Circ Pumps

The average household wastes a lot of water unnecessarily. Waiting to get hot water at a fixture is one of the biggest culprits. Many people wait between 30 seconds to 2 minutes to get hot water at a fixture and those wasted gallons add up. The answer is to install a recirculation pump. There are many different options out there but one of the cheapest and easiest systems to install is a Grundfos Comfort series. The basic system consists of a pump controlled by a timer and a comfort valve. The pump is installed above your water heater and plugged into a nearby power outlet. The valve is placed under a sink in the room of the house that is taking the longest to get hot water to. The valve is temperature sensitive and opens when the temperature drops. The pump pumps water from the water heater to the valve, through the valve and into the cold side, effectively creating a loop between the fixture and the water heater. When the valve gets up to temperature is closes again. The result is instant hot water at that fixture. Depending on the plumbing layout other fixtures around the house may be picked up or sometimes more valves need to be installed in different areas of the house. These systems can be installed in about an hour with out having to modify any plumbing inside the walls. Rio Rancho city also offers a $100 rebate for installation of one of these systems by a licensed plumber.

Water Heaters

Is your hot water running out a lot faster than it used to? A lot of the time its a broken dip tube. The dip tube runs from the top cold water inlet of the water heater to the bottom of the tank, so as you use hot water from the top of the tank it fills at the bottom. This tube breaks off when it gets old and the cold water mixes at the top of the tank instead of the bottom causing warm water. The dip tube in most cases can be replaced but sometimes a new water heater may be a better option due to the age of the unit.

Rebates

Did you know that there is a generous rebate and incentive program provided by the city of Rio Rancho for installation of low water usage appliances like low flow toilets, high-efficiency washing machines and hot water recirculation systems. They also offer free water saver kits to residents whose homes are older than 1994. Installing these appliances can save you money and help prolong our valuable water resources. All the information is at the City of Rio Rancho website http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us Search for “Rebate”

Disposals

Blocked garbage disposals and sink drains are common especially around holidays and these blockages are mostly preventable. Most people know not to pour grease down the drain but things like egg shells, nut shells, coleslaw, pumpkin seeds and other dense items can block the drain up quickly. These items tend to collect in the p-trap rather than wash away. Always flush plenty of water through the disposal after you use it. When needed throw some ice and a small amount of lemon or orange peel in the disposal to deal with odors. If your disposal has stopped running try pushing in the red breaker switch at the base of the disposal and switching on the disposal again. If it is humming but not turning, switch it off and use the hexagonal key that came with the disposer to try to turn it and dislodge the blockage. The key fits in an hexagonal hole in the middle of the base of the disposal. If this doesn't work the motor may be burned out. Switch it off and call your plumber.

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters first came into widespread use in Europe after the second world war. They were shunned initially in the United States as being incapable of providing sufficient volumes of hot water at high enough temperatures. They were adopted in other parts of the world though and gradually evolved into the efficient high tech models we see today. Now that energy costs have risen dramatically in the united states tankless water heaters are becoming a viable option for many households.

Basically a tankless water heater consists of a coil of tubing wrapped around a copper sleeve called a heat exchanger. When a fixture is turned on the unit detects a call for heat and instantly turns on a gas burner or an electrical element which transfers its heat directly into that water via the heat exchanger.

The energy is sufficient to heat that water instantly to the desired temperature and the result is instant hot water that never runs out. Most new units are completely self sufficient and use electronic ignition to light the gas, eliminating the need for a standing pilot. Temperature is easily controlled from a digital touch pad which can be located anywhere in the house.

Tankless water heaters have many benefits. They save money on energy because they only heat water when it is needed. That hot water is made at the unit the instant you turn on a fixture and it never runs out which makes them great for filling large tubs or taking long uninterrupted showers. They are also a lot smaller than a tank type water heater and able to be mounted on a wall which can free up a lot of space in your garage or utility closet when installed. With the implementation of a touch screen you can control temperature precisely allowing you to set the temperature of the water down eliminating the need to mix overly hot water with cold water at the faucet as is the case with tank type water heaters.

A new Energy Tax Credit Bill was introduced that promotes use of Tankless Water Heaters. The Energy Tax Credit started on January 1, 2006 and will continue through December 31, 2007. You can receive a credit of up to $300 for the installation of a tankless type water heater.

Despite the benefits there are some things to consider before you decide to install a tankless water heater. Most models require at minimum a ¾ inch gas line to supply enough gas to the unit. A 7.4 gpm unit can use 199,900 BTU at peak operation as opposed to a 40 gallon tank type water heater that uses around 40,000 BTU. In some cases the gas line is not sufficient and a new dedicated line may need to be run from the meter to supply the unit which adds to the cost of installation. A tankless water heater costs about 3 times as much as a regular tank type and installation costs are higher because of the extra labor involved as well as materials. Gas fired tankless water heaters require a special sealed, stainless steel venting because they use an electric blower to force the exhaust gases outside. This means that your old venting is not able to be used at all. It does mean though that they can be vented through an outside wall instead of out the roof. If you opt for an electric model gas supply and venting problems are eliminated but if your service is not able to handle the amperage of the unit it may need to be upgraded. Also there are issues with the hardness of the water here in Rio Rancho and surrounding areas and tankless type water heaters can sometimes be prone to build up inside the heat exchanger coil. There are ways to clean and prevent this buildup but they are extra costs to consider.

A tankless water heater is not for every household but the benefits of reduced energy costs with unlimited hot water is a big draw for people. They are fairly straight forward to install and the extra cost of installation will be eventually paid back through energy savings over the years. Most models come with a 10 year warranty on the heat exchanger which exceeds that of the average tank type model. Always research before you decide to purchase to make sure the model you select is right for your situation. If you do finally decide to install a tankless water heater you can be assured of cheap unlimited hot water for many years to come.

leak loaction leak location rio rancho plumber albuquerque plumber rio rancho albuquerque plumbers Rio Rancho plumbers&nbsp


Central Plumbing, your full service Albuquerque and Rio Rancho plumbing company. Located in Rio Rancho, we serve Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and surrounding areas. Expert technicians, free estimates. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Why do i need a licensed contractor to install my water heater? All water heaters installed in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and surrounding areas must be installed by a licensed contractor and inspected by the city having jurisdiction. But why? Its fairly easy to buy an inexpensive water heater from one of the big box stores and have your self or your handyman friend or hook it up. Right? Why spend the extra money to have a licensed contractor install it? Well there are many reasons why you must have your water heater installed by a professional. Only a licensed contractor knows and must follow the code when installing a water heater. The way your water heater was installed 10-15 years ago will not be how it should be installed today. There can be many “code violations” which need to be identified and fixed when installing the water heater and before a final inspection is done. These are necessary to ensure the unit will operate in a safe manner. There was close to half a million residential house fires in 2006 and a portion of those fires were caused by gas fired appliances like water heaters being installed incorrectly. There are also many deaths and sickness reported from carbon monoxide inhalation from gas burning appliances like water heaters. If your water heater isn't vented properly or the room is not provided with sufficient air ventilation it can result in an environment with high levels of carbon monoxide. Colorless and odorless carbon monoxide cannot be detected by humans. It can make you very sick and even lead to death if you are exposed to it for long enough. Something else to consider is the fact that if your incorrectly installed, un-inspected water heater causes fire damage to your home the insurance company has grounds to dismiss your claim because of negligence on your part. These dangers are very real and that is why these codes are created and enforced. Don t take the risk, have your water heater installed by a licensed professional. Re-Circ Pumps The average household wastes a lot of water unnecessarily. Waiting to get hot water at a fixture is one of the biggest culprits. Many people wait between 30 seconds to 2 minutes to get hot water at a fixture and those wasted gallons add up. The answer is to install a recirculation pump. There are many different options out there but one of the cheapest and easiest systems to install is a Grundfos Comfort series. The basic system consists of a pump controlled by a timer and a comfort valve. The pump is installed above your water heater and plugged into a nearby power outlet. The valve is placed under a sink in the room of the house that is taking the longest to get hot water to. The valve is temperature sensitive and opens when the temperature drops. The pump pumps water from the water heater to the valve, through the valve and into the cold side, effectively creating a loop between the fixture and the water heater. When the valve gets up to temperature is closes again. The result is instant hot water at that fixture. Depending on the plumbing layout other fixtures around the house may be picked up or sometimes more valves need to be installed in different areas of the house. These systems can be installed in about an hour with out having to modify any plumbing inside the walls. Rio Rancho city also offers a $100 rebate for installation of one of these systems by a licensed plumber. Water Heaters Is your hot water running out a lot faster than it used to? A lot of the time its a broken dip tube. The dip tube runs from the top cold water inlet of the water heater to the bottom of the tank, so as you use hot water from the top of the tank it fills at the bottom. This tube breaks off when it gets old and the cold water mixes at the top of the tank instead of the bottom causing warm water. The dip tube in most cases can be replaced but sometimes a new water heater may be a better option due to the age of the unit. Rebates Did you know that there is a generous rebate and incentive program provided by the city of Rio Rancho for installation of low water usage appliances like low flow toilets, high-efficiency washing machines and hot water recirculation systems. They also offer free water saver kits to residents whose homes are older than 1994. Installing these appliances can save you money and help prolong our valuable water resources. All the information is at the City of Rio Rancho website http://www.ci.rio-rancho.nm.us Search for “Rebate” Disposals Blocked garbage disposals and sink drains are common especially around holidays and these blockages are mostly preventable. Most people know not to pour grease down the drain but things like egg shells, nut shells, coleslaw, pumpkin seeds and other dense items can block the drain up quickly. These items tend to collect in the p-trap rather than wash away. Always flush plenty of water through the disposal after you use it. When needed throw some ice and a small amount of lemon or orange peel in the disposal to deal with odors. If your disposal has stopped running try pushing in the red breaker switch at the base of the disposal and switching on the disposal again. If it is humming but not turning, switch it off and use the hexagonal key that came with the disposer to try to turn it and dislodge the blockage. The key fits in an hexagonal hole in the middle of the base of the disposal. If this doesn't work the motor may be burned out. Switch it off and call your plumber. Tankless Water Heaters Tankless water heaters first came into widespread use in Europe after the second world war. They were shunned initially in the United States as being incapable of providing sufficient volumes of hot water at high enough temperatures. They were adopted in other parts of the world though and gradually evolved into the efficient high tech models we see today. Now that energy costs have risen dramatically in the united states tankless water heaters are becoming a viable option for many households. Basically a tankless water heater consists of a coil of tubing wrapped around a copper sleeve called a heat exchanger. When a fixture is turned on the unit detects a call for heat and instantly turns on a gas burner or an electrical element which transfers its heat directly into that water via the heat exchanger. The energy is sufficient to heat that water instantly to the desired temperature and the result is instant hot water that never runs out. Most new units are completely self sufficient and use electronic ignition to light the gas, eliminating the need for a standing pilot. Temperature is easily controlled from a digital touch pad which can be located anywhere in the house. Tankless water heaters have many benefits. They save money on energy because they only heat water when it is needed. That hot water is made at the unit the instant you turn on a fixture and it never runs out which makes them great for filling large tubs or taking long uninterrupted showers. They are also a lot smaller than a tank type water heater and able to be mounted on a wall which can free up a lot of space in your garage or utility closet when installed. With the implementation of a touch screen you can control temperature precisely allowing you to set the temperature of the water down eliminating the need to mix overly hot water with cold water at the faucet as is the case with tank type water heaters. A new Energy Tax Credit Bill was introduced that promotes use of Tankless Water Heaters. The Energy Tax Credit started on January 1, 2006 and will continue through December 31, 2007. You can receive a credit of up to $300 for the installation of a tankless type water heater. Despite the benefits there are some things to consider before you decide to install a tankless water heater. Most models require at minimum a ¾ inch gas line to supply enough gas to the unit. A 7.4 gpm unit can use 199,900 BTU at peak operation as opposed to a 40 gallon tank type water heater that uses around 40,000 BTU. In some cases the gas line is not sufficient and a new dedicated line may need to be run from the meter to supply the unit which adds to the cost of installation. A tankless water heater costs about 3 times as much as a regular tank type and installation costs are higher because of the extra labor involved as well as materials. Gas fired tankless water heaters require a special sealed, stainless steel venting because they use an electric blower to force the exhaust gases outside. This means that your old venting is not able to be used at all. It does mean though that they can be vented through an outside wall instead of out the roof. If you opt for an electric model gas supply and venting problems are eliminated but if your service is not able to handle the amperage of the unit it may need to be upgraded. Also there are issues with the hardness of the water here in Rio Rancho and surrounding areas and tankless type water heaters can sometimes be prone to build up inside the heat exchanger coil. There are ways to clean and prevent this buildup but they are extra costs to consider. A tankless water heater is not for every household but the benefits of reduced energy costs with unlimited hot water is a big draw for people. They are fairly straight forward to install and the extra cost of installation will be eventually paid back through energy savings over the years. Most models come with a 10 year warranty on the heat exchanger which exceeds that of the average tank type model. Always research before you decide to purchase to make sure the model you select is right for your situation. If you do finally decide to install a tankless water heater you can be assured of cheap unlimited hot water for many years to come. leak loaction leak location rio rancho plumber albuquerque plumber rio rancho albuquerque plumbers Rio Rancho plumbers&nbsp

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