Essential Water Heater FAQs

Hot water is essential in keeping your family and home comfortable, but how often do we stop to consider the source of our hot water? Your water heater is tucked away, out of sight in the basement, and it works hard to keep the hot water flowing. Despite how often we use it, we don't spend much time thinking about our water heaters until something goes wrong. The following blog is written to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about water heaters, including what to do if something goes wrong. 

How do I know if there is a problem?

If you notice that you don't have hot water, or that it is running out very quickly, it is time to have the water heater serviced and maintained. When you rent from National Home Services, this services is included in your rental fees. Thats right, all parts and labour are included, so you get this repair service for no additional charge. If you own your water heater, you'll need to locate your own licensed and trained technician to service the tank and pay out of pocket. 

My water heater has been exposed to flooding. Is it OK to keep using it?

The AHRI (Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute)  and other national and governmental agencies, recommend  that any water heater subject to flooding must be replaced. Today’s high efficiency water heaters, utilizing sophisticated solid state controllers and components can experience unseen damage to these components, exposed and concealed wiring connectors and insulations that may not manifest itself immediately. The exposure places the safety features along with operational and structural characteristics at risk, therefore requiring replacement. 

How often should I replace the water heater?

An older water heater can be less energy efficient than a new unit. Contact your rental company or a contractor to have a water heater evaluation completed. A hot water heater needs to be replaced about once every 10 years. To get the most out of your system, annual maintenance is important. 

During these annual service visits, basic cleaning and maintenance is done to replace worn out parts and check for any looming problems with your water heater that may require replacement in the near or immediate future.

If your question is not answered here, take a look at some more informative posts below, or contact us at nationalhomeservices.ca. 

Types of Water Heaters
Renting your Water Heater
How Clean is Your Water? 
Why Choose an ENERGY STAR qualified water heater? 

Spring Energy Saving Tips

Here are some tips to help you save energy during the spring when the weather warms up. Check out these simple and inexpensive actions you can take to ensure maximum savings through the spring and summer.

Keep your cooling system running efficiently 

• Schedule regular maintenance for your cooling equipment.
• Vacuum registers regularly to remove any dust buildup. Ensure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the airflow through your registers.

Take advantage of your windows to cool air and keep out heat. 

• At night, turn off your cooling system and open your windows. When you wake in the morning, shut the windows and blinds to capture the cool air.
• Install window coverings to prevent heat gain through your windows and close them on sunny days.

Operate your thermostat efficiently 

• Set your thermostat as high as comfortably possible in the summer. The smaller the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures, the lower your overall cooling bill will be.
• Keep your house warmer than normal when you are away, and only lower the thermostat setting when you are at home and need cooling. A programmable thermostat can make it easy to set back your temperature.
• Avoid setting your thermostat at a colder setting than normal when you turn on your air conditioner. It will not cool your home any faster and could result in excessive cooling and unnecessary expense.

Use fans to distribute cool air

• If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting with no reduction in comfort.
• Turn off ceiling fans when you leave the room. Remember that fans cool people, not rooms, by creating a wind chill effect.
• When you shower or take a bath, use the bathroom fan to remove the heat and humidity from your home. 

Mother's Day Gift Guide

Mother’s Day is almost here! Sunday May 11 marks a time to celebrate all the special women in our lives who help us grow and prosper.

Here are some tips for a traditional Mother’s Day celebration that is still green and eco-friendly.

• Take Mom out to a restaurant that embraces local and organic ingredients. If you are having trouble finding one, look on Eat Well guide, an online directory of restaurants, markets and stores that support sustainable agriculture.

• A beautiful potted plant gives years of enjoyment versus cut flowers which are thrown away quickly. Bonus points if you pick up seedlings at a nursery and spend the day gardening with your mom. Time spent together can be the best gift of all

• Book a treatment at an ecofriendly spa. Mother’s Day is a great time to pamper mom at a sustainable spa that uses organic, chemical-free products.

• Homemade cards are always a hit. Make her a gift and show her you care! 

• Jewelry is a thoughtful gift for any mom. There are a plethora of eco-friendly jewelry options out there, with many new companies creating products whose proceeds go to charity as well. 

Happy Mother's Day to all of our readers!

Getting Around Green

Transportation accounts for almost 25% of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions.

What can we do to reduce that amount? Here are some transportation tips to reduce your carbon footprint:

Walk or Bike to Work

Consider Carpooling

Take Public Transit

Try a more efficient car, such as an electric vehicle

If it is not possible to change your method of transportation, try to offset your carbon footprint by living green in other aspects of your life. National Home Services strives to help our customers reduce their carbon footprint by upgrading their home equipment to energy efficient models.

On average, the installation of a new energy efficient water heater results in a reduction of 5.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents over the life of the equipment.

That means every water heater has the same effect as taking 1.5 cars off the road for a year! Do what you can and show your commitment to a cleaner, greener planet!