JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Saskatoon is eager to provide the best possible customer experience. Their aim is to be a professional resource for our clients before, during, and after the sale! Their team takes pride in service knowledge of modern equipment and training. They are recognized by peers and offer sales, service, training & installations for residential, and commercial Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing systems in Saskatoon and area. JOB Heating & Air are Trusted Saskatoon Plumbers
In their latest article, Jeff Bolton, JOB's owner, shares their top fall plumbing tips.
Here are 5 fall plumbing tips to help protect your home this season.
Tip #1: Disconnect and Store Outdoor Water Hoses
Since outdoor hoses are made from rubber, freezing and thawing weakens the material and causes cracks. Disconnecting hoses in the winter and storing them in an area of your home that does not reach freezing temperatures will ensure the longevity of your hose is maintained. If you leave your outdoor hose connected all winter long, any leftover water can freeze and expand. This causes faucets and any connected pipes inside your home to freeze and potentially burst.
After disconnecting your outdoor house, it is important to check the faucet for any leaks. Faucet leaks can lead to water damage and cause plumbing issues when temperatures drop and things freeze. Once faucets are checked for leaks, it is a good idea to insulate them for further protection.
Tip #2: Shut Off Outside Faucets
Most homes are equipped with an interior shut-off valve for the outside faucets. Be sure to shut off and drain them so there is no remaining water in the outside lines that could freeze and create plumbing issues.
Tip #3: Inspect Your Hot Water Heater and Ensure Maintenance is Completed
The fall season is the perfect time to drain your hot water heater as it needs to work much harder in the cold months to provide hot water to your household. Maintenance includes flushing your hot water heater to remove sediment build up. The sediment build up is important to remove as it causes rust and can block proper heat transfer. Flushing your hot water heater will ensure it is operating efficiently, saving you money on your hot water bills.
If your hot water heater is more than 20 years old it may be time to consider a replacement before something goes wrong. You do not want to be stuck without hot water, especially heading into winter.
Tip #4: Insulate Your Pipes
Be sure to insulate any pipes that may be exposed to cold temperatures such as those in your basement and garage. Insulating your pipes properly will prevent them from freezing in the winter.
It is important to note that it is common for gaps to develop in the areas where pipes enter your home. These gaps between the pipes and the walls allow for cold air to get through. Cold air seepage can lead to pipes freezing and thus increase your heating bill. Luckily these gaps can be sealed using caulking and weather stripping, and taking the time to seal them can prevent larger issues down the road.
Tip #5: Inspect Your Sump Pump
A working sump pump is extremely important to prevent flooding as it removes excess water from the foundation of your property. If your sump pump is left exposed to extreme temperatures it can freeze. Freezing prevents your sump pump from operating correctly and can compromise its ability to protect your home. Be sure to inspect your sump pump this fall to ensure it is working as it should, or have it inspected by a professional if you are unsure.
JOB Heating & Air Conditioning Saskatoon is eager to provide the best possible customer experience. Their aim is to be a professional resource for our clients before, during, and after the sale! Their team takes pride in service knowledge of modern equipment and training. They are recognized by peers and offer sales, service, training & installations for residential, and commercial Heating, Cooling, and Plumbing systems in Saskatoon and area. In their latest article on water heaters, they share tips on how to reduce water heater energy bill expenses.
Water heaters account for nearly 20% of the average home energy bill. In fact, the only appliance that costs more to run than your water heater is your furnace. If you are looking to cut costs on your energy bill, water heaters are worth paying special attention to. Learn tips to reduce your water heater energy bill expenses from the experts at JOB Heating & Air Conditioning.
1. Insulate your hot water heater tank and pipes.
If you have a hot water heater tank, ensure it is insulated. Not only does tank insulation prevent heat loss, but it also lowers the risk of fire in the home. The same goes for your hot water heater pipes. If the pipes are not insulated, your water heater has to work harder to heat water. In order to conserve heat energy, it is recommended that you insulate a minimum of 6 feet of piping.
2. Lower the thermostat temperature on your hot water heater.
When your hot water heater comes from the manufacturer, chances are the thermostat will be set to 140 F (60 C). However, a thermostat setting of 120 F (48.88 C) is the hottest you should require. Having a lower thermostat temperature will reduce the risk of mineral buildup and will extend the overall life of your water heater.
3. If your hot water heater is older, be sure to add heat traps.
Heat traps are valves that trap heat energy that would otherwise be lost and can reduce your energy bill by up to $30 each month. Newer hot water heaters will come with heat traps already installed, so it is best to consider an upgraded unit rather than installing heat traps on your existing unit if your current hot water heater may be nearing the end of its life.
4. Use a timer on your hot water heater.
Traditional water heaters typically heat water all night long, which is very inefficient considering you do not use hot water at night. If you do not have a tankless water heater, installing a timer will give your water heater a rest and save you money.
5. Install low-flow faucets in your home.
Though this may seem like a bit of an investment, replacing your faucets with low-flow options can reduce annual hot water usage in your home by up to 60 percent. Installing low-flow faucets will ensure more money stays in your pocket.
6. Schedule maintenance service for your hot water heater.
Often, homeowners will maintain their own hot water heater tank, including draining and cleaning the unit themselves. This often leads to problems and ends up costing more money. It is best to let an experienced professional maintain your hot water heater.
Let the experts at JOB Heating & Air Conditioning ensure your water heater is not costing you more than it should. Schedule your maintenance service today.
JOB Heating & Air Conditioning is a Trusted Saskatoon plumbing company. We show up on time, deliver on budget and we leave the work area cleaner than when we arrived! At JOB we take pride in our plumbing services in this city and surrounding area, so nothing means more to us than testimonials from our clients as their preferred plumber in Saskatoon.
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‘Your Comfort is Our Concern!’
Gibbon Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving Saskatoon and surrounding areas for over 40 Years. They are a "total service" company with trained technicians who are able to provide customers with solutions to all their plumbing, air conditioning, and heating (HVAC) related requirements. As an Independent Lennox Premier Dealer, the Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning team are proud to provide prompt, courteous, and professional service that is required by Lennox’s Quality standards. They are regularly evaluated through an independent customer satisfaction survey process. They are trained to design, install, service, and maintain home comfort and indoor air quality systems in Saskatoon. In their latest tip, they discuss booking your annual home heating tune-up. Gibbon Heating and Air Conditioning are TRUSTED SASKATOON Air Conditioning & Furnace Professionals
Annual home heating maintenance helps keep your furnace running safely and at peak efficiency. As a qualified SaskEnergy Network Member, we are offering a hands-on furnace examination and annual maintenance.
What Happens During a Tune-Up?
- During a Tune-Up, your local heating professionals at Gibbon will:
- Examine chimney and clean out debris
- Clean/lubricate motor and fan
- Clean/reset burners
- Examine the operation of fan and high limit controls
- Inspect gas pilot system
- Test thermostat and furnace switch
- Provide a free carbon monoxide alarm
- And more!
Book Today at Gibbon Heating & Air Conditioning
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"A History of Professionalism, A Foundation of Trust"