FAQ

The Rinnai water heaters are very efficient and have consistently saved from 20% to 35% if they are used as designed. The standard Rinnai Tankless is 82% more efficient and the new Rinnai Condensing Tankless is 95% more efficient.

It is possible that the relief valve is starting to fail and should be replaced. Another cause is thermal expansion. This happens when the water heater heats up and the water expands causing a short burst of high pressure making the relief valve pop off. If a thermal expansion tank is installed in the water line, this will allow for hot water expansion.

In most cases, there is a good chance that a gas water heater can be installed. A gas unit requires an exhaust vent. The standard is to vent through the roof. This requires cutting through the ceilings, floors above, and the roof. Another way is to use a sealed combustion power vent type. These can be vented directly out through a sidewall. They vent and draw fresh air from the outside typically using PVC piping. In both types, you will have to bring a gas line from either the meter or another existing line if it is not big enough to handle the demand.

On standard gas water heaters a heat sensor, such as a thermal couple, controls the pilot. This is a copper looking tube that goes from the gas control valve back into the pilot. Its probe should be positioned in the pilot flame. If it is working properly it will sense the heat from the pilot and hold the pilot valve open and the pilot will continue to burn. Over time they fail and should be replaced if the pilot won't stay lit. If it still won't stay lit, consult a plumber for a more extensive diagnosis.

When a lot of hot water is used at one time, the water in the tank gets cold enough that the air in the vent that goes up through the middle of the water heater condenses and drips down on to the burners. As the water heats up, the condensing stops and won't do it again until you use enough water to lower the temperature in the tank substantially.

No. If you do this, your AC will likely never completely catch up. Find a comfortable temperature and let your AC maintain that temperature throughout the day and night. It will turn on and off as needed and keep your home comfortable.

Yes, the standard will be 13 SEER. If you can find a 10 SEER unit you can install it and it is legal to run it. They won't manufacture anything less than 13 SEER after January 2006.

Either the diverter on the spout is bad or the diverter built into the faucet body needs to be repaired

This can be fixed by adjusting the pop-up rod located under and at the backside of the sink. In some cases, the O-ring or gasket needs to be replaced or the pop up, itself, needs to be replaced.

Disposals have heat overload built into their motors. If you use the disposal for a long time it will shut itself down when it overheats. Usually, if you let it cool down for a while and reset the little push switch button on the bottom of the disposal it will resume normal operation. Another cause for the disposal stopping is something lodged under or between the blades and the inner wall of the disposal. This can sometimes be fixed by using a broom handle or wooden dowel to pry the blades free. Never put your hands in the disposal!

You should have your furnace checked at least once a year. This will insure that your furnace is safe and operating as efficiently as possible.

Have your furnace checked at least once a year. Older furnaces are vulnerable to failure. If a heat exchanger should crack, carbon monoxide can leak into the air in your home. This can be very dangerous and can even cause death since you can't smell or see it. It is particularly dangerous at night as you sleep.

When your furnace fires for the first time, it burns off the dust and lint around the heat exchanger causing the burning smell. This is one reason you should have your furnace checked and cleaned each year before the heating season.

No. You should never vary the temperature more than about 5 degrees. If you swing the temperature more than 5 degrees, your house, furniture, walls, and floors get cold enough that it takes more energy to heat them back up than it does to maintain a 5-degree swing. Find a comfortable temperature and don't vary it a lot.

Unless you are experienced with piping connections it is best to let a professional tackle this job. Proper tightening and testing for leaks is essential for safety.

It could be that it has a build-up on the inside of the drain line from grease and years of use. Or it might still be hooked up to an old grease trap outside the house. In the early days, they used to run the kitchen sink drain into a grease trap and then out to the main drain. There are still a few active grease traps on older homes. A qualified plumber can determine if it is still in use and determine what should be done to eliminate the grease trap.

Yes. There are several biodegradable products on the market that, if used regularly, will dissolve hair and body oils that clog the drain. These products won't hurt the pipes and are not harmful to humans or pets. Bioclean is one of the better products that will keep your drains running freely. It is available at plumbing shops, hardware stores, and some grocery stores.

You should have your boiler checked at least once a year. It should be checked over and the pumps should also be oiled if needed. The zone valves should be checked to see that they are opening and closing properly. The system should be purged to remove any air from the system.

Contact us to answer any questions you have about our plumbing services. We proudly serve residents and business owners in Loveland and Fort Collins, Colorado, as well as the surrounding areas.