Water Heaters

Traditional    Tankless     Mobile/Manufctured Homes    Maintenance

In nearly all homes, the three major uses of energy are heating in the winter, cooling in the summer and, of course, heating water. When it’s time to install a new water heater make sure you learn all you can about new and efficient ways to reduce cost and increase your comfort.

Traditional Water Heaters

There are several important factors to consider when planning to install a water heater or replace an old water heater. First of all, consider the general type of heater. Traditionally, homeowners have used the storage design. While these continue to work well in most situations, you may want to consider the newer tankless systems available as well.

Features of Storage Water Heater: Resettable Thermal Switch Proven Burner Design Piezo (push button) Ignition Pedestal Base Standard Thermocouple

Capacity is a key factor in determining your water-heating needs. Determine the number of occupants of the home and carefully consider how much demand there will be for hot water during peak times. These factors are much more important than the size of the house! At Blue Stream we can help you determine how much hot water a specific heater will deliver in an hour. This information must be on the heater’s Energy Guide label. It’s important to buy a water heater that is the correct size for your needs. Don’t pay for heating water that you won’t use, but make sure that you have the capacity to serve your family needs.

Learn all you can about water heater efficiency as well. Water heaters have an Energy Factor (EF) that will guide you. For example, water heaters that operate on natural gas have an EF of 0.50 to 0.60, though high-efficiency models may have a 0.80 EF. This rating should be on the Energy Guide label. The best storage-type water heaters have 1.5 inches of foam insulation – minimum.

You may think that up-front cost is the most important factor when buying a water heater. But it would be wise to look more closely at the operating costs. Saving money on an inexpensive heater could cost you a lot in operating expenses over time. It’s better to pay a bit more at first and let the lower operating costs make up for your initial expense.

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Tankless Water Heaters You may also want to consider a tankless water heating system. Key features include: Unlimited hot water on demand Typically 30 percent more energy efficient than traditional heater Reduced water cost  - up to 50 percent 82+ percent efficiency Coated-copper heat exchanger reduces/prevents corrosion for longer life Low-emission technology keeps air cleaner, healthier Precise temperature control with digital panel As with traditional, storage-type heaters, you should carefully consider the number of occupants of the home and the amount of hot water needed during peak times. Consider how much hot water the system will deliver in an hour so you get a system that will be just the right size for your family needs. Make sure you understand the efficiency rating and up-front cost of your tankless system as well. Give as much consideration to capacity, efficiency and cost with a tankless system as you would with a traditional, storage-type system. If you have questions, ask one of the members of the Blue Stream professional staff. We will be glad to help you make the right choice. Return to Top
Mobile/Manufactured Housing Water Heaters Mobile / Manufactured Housing Water Heaters Gas water heaters for mobile homes and manufactured homes are different than those used in a traditional permanent construction home. There are two types of water heaters available...and both are NOT interchangable. If the water heater is accessible from inside the home, a Sealed Combustion (Direct Vent) water heater is required. If the water heater is accessible from a door outside the home, a different style mobile home approved water heater is required. Remember, safety should be your number one priority, and installing the wrong water heater could cause serious health effects such as carbon monoxide poisoning or even death. It is vital that if you are unsure which water heater is best for you and your family, don't hesitate to speak to a trained expert at Blue Stream for assistance. Our advice is always free because your safety is very important to us. Return to Top

Maintaining your Water Heater

Manufacturers strongly recommend regular maintenance of your water-heating system. In fact, this maintenance is required to keep the manufacturer’s warranty valid. Storage-type water heaters should be drained and flushed of sediment once each year so that the system meets original operating specifications. Be sure to ask us about our water-heater general plumbing maintenance.

Ask about our 100 percent satisfaction guarantee!

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