There are many ways to prepare for winter and the effect the cold temperatures can have on your home equipment. Three options to look at include the water heater, the furnace, and the plumbing.
Tankless water heaters typically provide water at a rate of two to five gallons per minute. And for homes that use 41 gallons of water or less daily, these tankless heaters can be between 24% and 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. Old water heaters are known to account for as much as 30% of your home’s entire energy consumption.
Furnaces are another area worth consideration as you plan for winter. Furnaces can cause high heating bills, especially if they are not efficient. Here are some tips to consider when analyzing your furnace:
If furnaces are more than 10 years old, have them inspected annually.
Furnaces typically last an average of 15-18 years.
The lowest efficiency for gas furnaces is 78% while some achieve near total efficiency at 97%.
One of the most important considerations when analyzing a furnace is efficiency. The efficiency of a furnace is how well the furnace converts fuel into heat. While a furnace may be legally usable at lower levels of efficiency, the lack of performance can lead to higher heating bills, which will rise during the winter season.
Another important consideration is the general health of your furnace. Some signs to watch out for include strange noises, whether you have needed many repairs for the furnace, and its general age. A new furnace may cost more upfront but it could lead to lower heating bills in the future.
The third consideration when preparing your home for winter is the plumbing. Plumbing can be a serious issue during winter and not just from frozen pipes.
A major problem that may have you in need of a plumber is clogged drains. With many holiday parties between Christmas, Thanksgiving, and New Year’s, a large amount of grease and debris may find its way into a drain. A tip is to avoid pouring grease into a drain because it can solidify and clog the drain up.
Often, a conventional storage tank water heater can run out of hot water. In this case, think about planning your showers a little apart. If there are still issues and you are in need of a plumber, plumbing services are worth a call.
Finally, there is the problem of a frozen pipe. If water is expanding into the ice of a frozen pipe, there will be increased pressure and could cause a pipe to burst. Often, attics and crawl spaces are some of the most likely places for this to happen.
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If you are in need of a plumber during winter season, it could be useful to find one that works with pipe lining and excavation. Find one that suits your needs and be prepared.