Tag: Water Heater

Celebrate Earth Day 2017 with These Tips to Reduce Energy Consumption

Posted on by Larry & Sons

Falling on April 22nd, Earth Day 2017 is just over a week away. At Larry & Sons, we believe in making environmentally friendly choices whenever possible, and we strive to help our customers reduce their energy consumption not just on Earth Day but throughout the entire year. Whether it’s energy efficient HVAC systems or plumbing fixtures that are designed to minimize waste, we have what you need to make small changes in your home that will make a big difference.

In honor of Earth Day 2017, we’ve put together this list of easy ways to reduce energy consumption.

Ways to Reduce Energy Consumption in Honor of Earth Day

ways to reduce energy consumption
“water heater and heater” flickr photo by johnclarkemills https://flickr.com/photos/johnclarkemills/3294380234 shared under a Creative Commons (BY) license
  1. Install drapes. Putting up drapes makes your home look great, and it can reduce heat gains by as much as 33%.
  2. Use an advanced power strip. Fight energy vampires by using advanced power strips. Switch the strip off when you aren’t using your electronic devices, and you could save $200 per year.
  3. Maintain your air conditioner. Taking good care of your home’s cooling system boosts its efficiency, reducing its environmental impact. Replace your filters regularly, and make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture or clutter.
  4. Keep the doors and windows closed. When you have your air conditioner or heat turned on, make sure all the doors and windows in your home are securely closed.
  5. Upgrade your water heater. If you have a conventional water heater with a storage tank, upgrading to an energy efficient tankless water heater will drastically cut your energy consumption and lower your bills.
  6. Seal air leaks. Leaky air ducts waste tons of energy. Commit to having your air ducts sealed this year, and you could save up to 20% on your heating and cooling bills.
  7. Invest in a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can enjoy a comfortable home while you’re home and give your HVAC system a break while you’re away. When properly programmed, you could reduce your heating and cooling energy consumption by up 10% or more.

Looking for more ways to reduce energy consumption? Larry & Sons can help! We offer energy efficient solutions for any situation and budget. Call 301-733-5428 today to learn how we can help you reduce your impact on the environment and save on your monthly bills!

4 Signs You Should Buy a New Water Heater

Posted on by Larry & Sons

Every day, we depend on our water heaters for so many things. From washing our clothes and dishes to providing a relaxing hot shower at the end of a long day, we expect a lot from our water heaters. Unfortunately, many homeowners take their heaters for granted and don’t give them much thought until they stop working completely.

At Larry & Sons, we’re here to help when you’re experiencing water heater problems, and we can help you determine whether you should repair or replace your system.

While water heater repair is an effective solution in some cases, in many others, it’s best to invest in a replacement. If you think it might be time to replace your water heater, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Signs You Should Get a New Water Heater

Water Heater Replacement
Do you need a new water heater? Here are a few signs!
  • Your water heater is old. Even if you purchased a top-of-the-line water heater, it won’t last forever. In fact, tankless water heaters are only built to last 20 years at most, while conventional heaters with storage tanks only last eight to 12. If your water heater is nearing the end of it’s expected lifespan, you may want to consider buying a new one.
  • You’re noticing higher energy bills. As your water heater ages, it becomes less efficient. If your energy bills have been climbing and you have an older water heater, up to 25 percent of your bill could be related to the cost of heating your water. Upgrading to a newer unit could save you a bundle.
  • You’re running out of hot water faster than you used to. Sediment builds up in water heaters over time, decreasing the amount of water they can heat and store. If your showers are being cut short because you’re running out of hot water, it’s time for a new heater.
  • Your heater has visible signs of damage. Leaks below your water heater and rust are definite signs that your system is nearing the end of its life. Inspect your heater regularly, and if you notice either of these things, you might want to consider buying a new unit before yours fails. You may also want to consider upgrading if you’ve been having problems and needing frequent water heater repair.

New Water Heater in Hagerstown

If you need a new water heater in Hagerstown or the surrounding areas, count on Larry & Sons. Our certified plumbers are here to help you choose the heater that best suits your family’s needs, and they’ll install it promptly at a time that fits your schedule. For professional water heater replacement, call Larry & Sons now at 301-733-5428.

Water Heaters: Tank or No Tank?

Posted on by Larry & Sons

Water Heaters Tank or No Tank?Water heaters are bulky, can be extremely noisy from time to time, and are otherwise forgotten until they stop working and we’re greeted with a stream of ice-cold water.  These wonderful machines improve sanitation by giving us hot water for cleaning and increase comfort for relaxing baths and cleansing showers.  But they can also cost us quite a bit when it comes time to pay for the utilities used every month.  That’s the price of on-demand hot water comfort. Or is it really?  Depending on your situation, switching to a tankless system can reduce your costs without removing the luxury of ready-to-use hot water. Continue reading “Water Heaters: Tank or No Tank?”

How to Cut Water Heating Costs

Posted on by Larry & Sons

You may think that the only way to cut hot water usage is to use less hot water, but there are other ways to save money and energy. Although heating and cooling the air in our homes takes up most of our home’s energy costs, second on the list is hot water heating.

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Water heating accounts for roughly 20-25% of our home energy consumption. Learn how to reduce your water heating costs with these 3 energy saving tips:

1. Lower Your Water Heater Temperature

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Source: The Family Handyman

Most water heaters are automatically set to 140 degrees, which is often way too hot for most uses. Thousands of people go to the hospital every year from water water burns. Not only is it dangerous, but it is also inefficient to have the temperature set that high.

Most plumbers recommend a setting of 120 degrees, but you should experiment with the temperature to get it exactly where you want it; hot enough, but not too hot that it causes burns.

If your water heater does not have temperature numbers on the dial, you may have to do a little testing. First, test the temperature of your hot water by filling a glass with hot water and measuring it with a thermometer. Keep adjusting the dial until you get a glass filled with 120 degree water.

2. Install Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

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Source: truevalueprojects

You can always save water and money by simply using less water, especially hot water, but you can continue to spend the same amount of time in the shower and still save on hot water costs by installing low-flow fixtures.

It is cheap to replace your fixtures with low-flow options and can reduce your hot water consumption anywhere from 25-60%!

Don’t worry about performance, because while low-flow fixtures can reduce the rate of flow by 50% or more, you still feel as though you are getting the same amount of water as before.

Contact Larry & Sons for more information on low–flow faucets, fixtures, and toilets.

3. Insulate Your Pipes (Maybe Your Tank Too)

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Source: DIY Network

A lot of heat is lost through your pipes. Insulating your hot water pipes save you money on costly heat loss, but while you’re at it, you might as well insulate those cold water pipes to prevent dripping condensation.

Although there are several types of insulation to choose from, we recommend Tubular Sleeve Insulation.

If your pipes require more than one sleeve, make sure that you duct tape the seams that connect the two sleeves.

For more ways to save on your water heating bill, read energy.gov’s 15 Ways to Save On Your Water Heating Bill.

If you need help changing your hot water heater setting, insulating your plumbing, or installing low-flow fixtures in Maryland, give Larry & Sons a call at 301-733-5428.

If you haven’t already, don’t forget to schedule your annual heating tune-up. We offer installation, maintenance and repair of boilers, furnaces, heat pumps, and geothermal systems.

With our maintenance plan, we’ll remind you of your annual tune-up, provide 15 % off all repairs, and much more!

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