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Is your water heater failing to provide enough hot water even after turning up the thermostat? Here are some possible causes.

1. The Dip Tube Is Broken
Cold water enters the water heater through the dip tube where it is forced to the bottom of the tank for quick heating. When the tube is broken the water remains at the top of the tank, where the hot water outlet is, causing it to return cold water with the heated water.

2. Sediment Has Built Up at the Bottom of the Tank
Over time, minerals in the water can build up at the bottom of the water heater tank where the burner is located. This causes a gradual reduction in heating efficiency that will make the water heater work harder and eventually resulting in less hot water. Flushing the tank annually will prevent sediment build up.

3. The Heating System Is Malfunctioning
Most water heater problems occur when one of these systems fails:

• Thermal switch

 

• Thermostat

 

Heating element

A licensed plumber should inspect the water heater and repair the pasts as needed.

4. Hot Water Heater Is Too Far From Where It’s Needed
If the water eventually heats up, the problem is sometime a hot water tank that is too far from where it’s needed. In the cold months in particular, pipes will cool the hot water before it reaches the faucet where it’s needed. Insulating the pipes can help reduce heat loss.

5. The Water Heater Tank Is Too Small
If you have ruled out the problems above, but your water heater still seems to supply less hot water, or runs out suddenly, it could be that the tank is too small to keep up with an increase in demand.

Installing a larger tank or tankless water heater will ensure that you have all the water your household needs.

Have questions about your water heater? Call Superior Plumbing & Heating, we can help with all your hot water needs.

Running a central air conditioner during the hot, humid summer months can take a big chunk out of the household budget. If you’re noticing that energy use rises even more than normal while running your air conditioner, there are several steps you can take to lower your home cooling cost.

1. Seal Air Leaks – A minor air leak in one window may seem like no big deal, but many leaks around doors and windows can add up, causing your air conditioner to run longer. Use weather stripping or caulk around doors and windows to seal air leaks around the entire house.

2. Program Your Thermostat – Your thermostat is the brains of you cooling system. Be sure to program the temperature around your household schedule by turning the temperature up when your away from home. Learning, or Smart thermostats can help you save energy automatically by learning your household routine and automatically adjusting the temperature accordingly.

3. Perform Annual Maintenance – A sudden increase in your utility bill could be a sign that your air conditioner is in need of service. If you have skipped annual maintenance and your energy bill has suddenly increased, have an AC technician inspect the unit to make sure there are no problems.

4. Upgrade Old AC Units – If your air conditioner is more than 10-12 years old, it’s time
start planning for a replacement. While a new air conditioner is a major investment, the good news is a newer unit is likely to cost significantly less to operate every month.

5. Replace Dirty Air Filters – One of the most common reasons an air conditioner will begin to work less efficiently is a dirty air filter. Replacing the filter monthly is one of the most important maintenance tasks you can perform.

From air conditioner repair and maintenance to new AC installation, Superior Plumbing & Heating can keep you cool all summer long.

One of the most important considerations when adding a new addition to your home is how you are going to heat and cool the additional space. Sometimes an existing furnace or air conditioner just isn’t large enough to handle the requirements of the added air volume.

Even if you replace the central heating and cooling unit with a larger system, expanding existing ducts into the new space can create problems with maintaining even temperatures throughout the rest of the house if the air handler is on the far side of the house from the new space.

Split HVAC Systems

One option for heating a new addition is to install a split heating and cooling system, also known as a ductless heat pump. A heat pump not only heats in the winter, it provides cooling in the summer.

Because a split system works independently from the main HVAC system – in most cases having its own hand-held remote – it eliminates the air balancing problems that attempting to expand an existing HVAC system can cause.

Have questions about heating and cooling a new addition to your home? Give us a call.

Even if your home has central air conditioning, a ductless mini-split system could be a good option in many situations. New additions, three-season porches, garages and other spaces not connected to central heating and cooling systems are all good candidates for ductless heating and cooling.

How Does a Ductless Mini-Split System Work?

A mini-split system consists of a small air handler in each room, usually installed on an exterior wall near the ceiling, although they can also be installed in the floor and other locations. A small conduit connects a condenser outside the home to all of the indoor air handlers.

When used for cooling, ductless systems typically offer greater efficiency and improved performance compared to window AC units. They also give you the option of heating.

Here are some applications where mini-split systems offer an advantage over traditional central heating.

• Mini-split systems are a cost-effective option for heating and cooling older homes without existing ductwork.
• Ductless systems can be used to solve challenging heating and cooling situations where the furnace and AC are located too far from certain areas of the home, such a new addition.
• Ductless heating and cooling systems are ideal where you need to optimize the temperature of a room for a specific purpose, such as a greenhouse or cold storage.
• They provide cost-effective and efficient heating and cooling for outbuildings like workshops and detached garages.

If you’re interested in learning more about ductless mini-split systems, give us a call to schedule an in-home assessment.

Traditional tank-style water heaters have been around for over hundred years and work by using a gas burner or electric heating element to keep a large volume of water heated so there is enough water to supply an entire household. Keeping a large tank of water heated continuously takes a lot of energy. In addition, when demand for hot water in the home exceeds the capacity of the tank, the result is a unpleasantly cold shower.

The Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater, also called an on-demand water heater, solves the two drawbacks of the tank water heater, the limited capacity of the tank and the energy use of continually keeping the storage tank heater. By heating water only when needed, rather than maintaining a full tank of hot water at all times, tankless water heaters operate with greater efficiency than standard tank-type water heaters.

Tankless water heaters will last about five to 10 years longer than a conventional tank heater. They also take up much less space and provide you with a virtually unlimited amount of hot water.

What are the downsides of a tankless water heater?

A tankless system can cost up to three times as much as a tank-style heater. Tankless systems are also more technologically advanced and therefore can be more complicated to install than traditional water heaters, which is reflected in the higher cost of installation. However, the initial higher cost is offset by the greater efficiency and longer lifespan of the tankless unit.
Here’s how a tankless water heater works:

• When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water is drawn into the water heater.
• A sensor detects the flow of water and activates a gas burner, which warms a heat exchanger.
• The flow of cold water circulates around the heat exchanger and exits the water heater at its set-point temperature.

Have questions about tankless water heaters? Call ABC Plumbing, Heating Cooling and Electric. We’re here to help.

As one of the most-used plumbing appliances in the average home, it’s not uncommon to experience toilets that malfunction at some point. Here are a few of the common toilet issues and how they can be repaired.

1. Overflowing toilet bowl – Just about all of us have experienced the panic that sets in when you flush and the water level starts to rise… and rise. If you suspect the toilet drain is clogged, don’t take chances. Clear the clog before flushing. If the toilet has been flushed and the water level is rising, you can remove the toilet tank cover and press down on the flapper. The flapper seals the hole that allows the water to go into the toilet bowl, stopping the rising water.

2. Clogged toilet bowl – If the toilet bowl is filled and you know that it’s clogged, try a toilet plunger. Do not flush if the toilet if the bowl is full. You will only cause the bowl to overflow run all over the floor. Chances are that there it is paper that is obstructing the pipe.

3. Broken Flapper Valve – If your toilet keeps a running and doesn’t stop, it may be time to replace the flapper valve.

4. Toilet Water Supply Valve – Sometimes sand or grit can cause the water supply inside the tank to stay on. So you hear that running noise. Replacing the valve can solve the problem.

5. Not enough flushing power – Newer toilets use a gallon and a half of water. Older toilets used almost twice as much. With so little water available to force the waste down the drain, you often end up flushing more than once. If you have an older toilet with a higher flushing volume, consider keeping it rather than replacing it. By replacing the internal parts you will eliminate the need to buy a newer toilet that may not have sufficient flushing force.

Having problems with your toilets? Call Superior Plumbing and Heating. We can help with all your plumbing repairs from toilets to water heaters.

The under sink garbage disposal is a wonderful appliance that most of us take for granted. It will keep grinding away food waste for many years without complaint. How long your disposal last will depend on a number of factors. One of the most important factors is the quality of the unit. Some brands are just made better than others. This is often reflected in the cost of the disposal. Going with a proven brand, such as InSinkErator the company that invented the disposal, and you can expect to get around 8-15 years of service with regular use.

Another important factor is the horsepower rating of the unit. Most disposals designed for home use start at 1/3 horsepower. If the disposal is not powerful enough it may have to run longer and work harder than a more powerful unit to accomplish the same amount of work.

Another important factor in the lifespan of the garbage disposal is how it is used. Here are 5 tips you can follow to ensure your disposal lasts as long as possible.

• Run cold water. Cold water keeps the food waste as hard as possible, making it easier to grind up and force down the drain pipe.
• Keep food waste as small as possible. A garbage disposal isn’t designed like a food processor, there are no blades to cut up larger pieces. It works best when you feed smaller pieces that can be efficiently passed through the grinder.
• Don’t put starchy foods down the disposal. This includes potatoes, rice, pasta etc. Starchy foods can create a thick paste that can gum up the disposal, and clog your drain.
• Avoid grinding hard foods. Bones, pits, and seeds will dull the grinder, shortening the lifespan of the unit. They are also more likely to jam the disposal.
• Use the disposal frequently. When not used regularly garbage disposals can rust, corrode, collect hardened food, and in some cases even seize up. That’s why it’s important to run the disposal regularly, even for a short period while running cold water. This will keep the surfaces clean by reducing food residue buildup and corrosion.

Time to replace your garbage disposal? Call Superior Plumbing & Heating. We install high-quality disposals designed to provide many years of reliable service.

During Michigan’s hot summer months, humid air can keep your home’s central air conditioner working overtime to keep the air inside cool and comfortable. While one of an air conditioner’s main purposes is to remove moisture from the air to reduce humidity, in some cases humidity can still remain at unhealthy levels, leading to air quality problems. If the indoor humidity climbs above 60 percent you may notice condensation on windows, a musty smell and mold growth in bathrooms and other areas of your home.

What Is the Best Relative Humidity Level During Summer?

Many newer digital and smart thermostats will display the relative humidity (RH) in your home. You can also buy a digital hygrometer to measure the humidity levels. For healthy air and comfort a range of 30-50% RH is ideal.

The Effects of High Humidity In the Home

Besides being just plain uncomfortable, excessive humidity can cause a number of problems that can effect your health, including crating an ideal environment for mold and mildew growth and dust mites – both of which can lead to allergies and other respiratory problems.

Drastic humidity swings between seasons can also damage your home by warping wood floors, cracking wood furniture, and deteriorating paint and wall paper.

Controlling Humidity Levels In the Home

While your central AC’s condenser removes much of the humidity in the air, it’s also important to avoid adding additional humidity into the air. Sources of humidity include: cooking, laundry, bathing and other household tasks. It’s important to ensure that there is adequate ventilation in the kitchen, bathroom and laundry area. If humidity is a problem in these spaces, consider adding or increasing the size of the ventilation and installing exhaust fans to remove the stale humid air.

When the temperatures are lower, consider leaving doors open to allow air to circulate and opening drapes and partially opening blinds on sunny days can also reduce the buildup of excess moisture in the home.

If you have excessive humidity in your home, call Superior Plumbing & Heating. Our HVAC professionals can inspect your system to ensure that it’s operating correctly and offer effective solutions for removing excessive humidity when needed.

Storing and heating a large volume of hot water takes a lot of energy. In most households, heating water is second is right being heating and air conditioning in energy usage. Thankfully there are ways you can improve your water heater’s efficiency so it heats more efficiently. By changing some habits and installing a few simple accessories, you can reduce the energy your water heater consumes significantly.

1. Reduce hot water usage at the source
Install water saving shower heads is one of the most effective ways to save hot water. The aim should be to reduce the minimum flow rate on the shower head to less than 2.5 gallons per minute (gpm). Some water conserving shower heads can reduce flow to as little as 1.6 gpm while maintaining acceptable water pressure. The water savings for a household of four could be as much as 14,000 gallons a year!

2. Insulate the hot water distribution system
Even in a small home, as much as 10 percent of the energy used to heat water can be lost in the pipes that supply the hot water. Insulating hot water pipes is an inexpensive way to significantly reduce heat loss.

3. Use a water heater blanket
While many new water heaters have a good level of insulation built into the tank wall, many older tanks are less well insulated and allow significant heat to escape. The larger the water heater, the more surface area for the heat to escape. You can prevent heat loss by wrapping your water heater tank in an insulation blanket available from most home supply stores. Some manufacturers recommend against installing insulating blankets on their energy-efficient models, so be sure to read your owner’s manual before adding a blanket.

4. Perform annual maintenance
Over time, storage tank water heaters can accumulate sediment that reduces heating efficiency. This sediment is often more of a problem in homes that have hard water, where limescale is seen on shower walls and fixtures. Flushing the tank annually will remove the sediment and make it easer for the burner or heating element to heat the water.

If you need help maintaining your water heater, or need to replace your old water heater, call Superior Plumbing and Heating. We can help will all your hot water needs.

Your central heating and cooling systems air delivery system is a complex system of metal tubes in the walls, floors, and ceilings that carry conditioned the air from the furnace and central air conditioner to each room.  If even one section of air duct is poorly sealed and leaks into unheated or cooled areas such as crawl spaces, basements or attics, it can greatly reduce the comfort throughout your home. The good news is you can effectively reduce air loss by sealing and insulating your air ducts.

Air Duct Sealing

Even if there are no visible gaps or holes, air under pressure is able escape from the smallest of gaps. Sealing your home’s ducts is an effective way to prevent this air loss, especially if the ducts are located in an unconditioned space such as an attic or crawlspace. If the supply ducts are leaking, heated or cooled air will be forced out and lost. In addition, unconditioned air can be drawn into return ducts through unsealed joints.

Aeroseal® duct sealing is the most effective way to prevent air leaks in your home’s air delivery system. Aeroseal smart technology finds the exact amount of leakage in your air duct system and targets all of the cracks and holes – even the ones you can’t see and can’t reach.

Inspecting your air ducts

1. Inspect the ducts for air leaks. Look for sections that should be joined but have separated. Also look for holes that may have been drilled for duct cleaning and not properly sealed.

2. While duct tape seems like the most obvious material to use for duct repair, duct mastic is a better choice for sealing seams and joints. While mastic is more durable than duct tape, it should not be used to cover gaps greater than ¼ inch. Larger gaps must be first bridged with a special mesh tape or a high quality heat approved tape. Butyl tape, foil tape, or other heat-approved tapes are also a good choice for repairing ducts.

3. If you’re sealing or insulating air ducts in your basement, it could increase the risk of frozen pipes. To prevent pipes from freezing ensure that the basement walls are well insulated or use an electric heating tape on pipes.

4. If the basement is finished, ensure that there are both supply and return registers in every room.

5. In addition to sealing your ducts, it’s important to ensure that objects are not blocking air registers, including furniture, rugs, drapes, etc.

6. Avoid closing too many air vents in your home, even if rooms are unoccupied. Doing so can make your furnace and air conditioner work harder and less efficiently.

Have questions about your home’s air ducts? Give Superior Plumbing and Heating a call, we can help answer all your home heating and cooling questions.