How can you tell when you need a new roof?

As a homeowner, you’re all too familiar with the different parts of your house that you need to maintain. If you neglect any one aspect of your home, it could mean detrimental damage to many other features of your house. It could also impact the curb appeal, which would lower the value of your home. Such is the case with waiting too long to get a new roof. If you feel like your roof might be nearing the end of its life, you need to consider replacing it soon.

Here’s how to tell if you need a new roof. Use these signs to consider whether your roof needs replacing.

Visible Streams of Light Through the Boards

Have you noticed a weird looking sun glare on your floor or wall that wasn’t there before? If you haven’t been able to identify where it’s coming from, you might want to make sure it isn’t coming from up above you. Take a look at the boards of your ceiling in your attic and see if you notice any streams of light shining through it. If so, that means your roof has been compromised. If the light is leaking through your roof, so is water when it rains. The only solution to this is reaching out to an asphalt roofs expert right away to install a new one.

Look at Your Documentation

Asphalt roofs can typically last you several decades barring an emergency, or around 20 to 25 years to be exact. It might be more or less depending on the year-round weather where you live. Now that you know that, it’s time to take a look at the documentation of your house to see how old your current roof is. If you were the first to ever occupy the house, it might be a bit easier to remember off the top of your head. Either way, if the timing is coming up quickly, you’ll want to reach out to a roofing specialist right away. That’s not to say you automatically need to replace it. Schedule an appointment for them to come out and do a checkup on its condition. They might tell you that you have a few more years in it before it needs replacing. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Stains or Cracks

Have you noticed markings on the inside of your ceiling? You might notice some dark stains, cracking, or morphing of your ceiling’s interior. If so, take it as a sign that there is either a leak or an immense amount of moisture that’s caused these markings to appear. The longer you hold off on getting that corrected, the more damage it will do to your home’s structure and the wider that it will spread.

Curved Shingles

If you’re not sure whether it’s time to reach out to a roofing service, take a climb up the ladder to inspect the roof for yourself. One of the most noticeable signs that you need to contact a professional is if you notice curved shingles. That shows that the material is starting to fade and that you need to replace it. If you neglect them, it will lead to water falling through and starting to find cracks to leak into.

Sagging Ceiling

If you have noticed that your roof is starting to sag, it’s a sign that your roof has a monumental leak on it. The leak has probably gotten so bad and has been adding to itself for so long that immense pressure is weighing down your roof. The humidity between the different layers will only worsen it. Not sure whether it’s moisture damage or something else? Take a broom to it. If it feels soft and mushy as you press on it, then it’s a sign of trapped moisture. You need to call an expert right away. Only they will know how to go about fixing your ceiling’s issues so that it doesn’t end with water all over your bedroom floor.

Green Marks on Your Roof

You need to take the time every so often to climb up on the top of your roof and inspect the quality of it. As previously mentioned, the condition of your roof’s shingles can be a telltale sign for a roof replacement. However, you’ll also want to make sure there isn’t any moss growing on top of it. If there is, it’s a sign there is moisture getting trapped somewhere within that vicinity. Brush away the moss with a brush that has a stiff profile but doesn’t brush hard enough to cause more damage to the roof itself. After you’ve brushed away the moss, take a closer look at the roof and inspect for any cracks or holes.

Your Tiles are Rotting

This is possibly the most obvious sign that it’s time for a new roof, even to the untrained eye. If you notice that your tiles have become rotten or are even missing tiles, it’s time to find an expert you can reach out to about a replacement. The rotting will only continue to grow worse, so be sure to get things in order right away so that you don’t have any (further) damage to your home.

Got Leaks?

The most obvious clue you might need a new roof is finding water inside your home. Regularly check your attic, especially after a rain storm or if you notice an ice dam along your eaves. Look for signs of water penetration because major leaks inside your home are most likely to start there. Keep in mind, though, that water can travel a fair distance – across beams and inside walls for example – from the point of infiltration to where it eventually shows itself.

Ice dams form when snow on the roof melts, runs down slope to the eaves and freezes. As more water runs down and encounters the ice dam, it may then run up and under the asphalt roofing shingles, potentially penetrating the roof deck.

As mentioned above, a total roof replacement may not be necessary to correct such a problem. Perhaps a few shingles have blown off or some flashing has torn loose, exposing the underlying roof deck to the elements.

Water Stains

On the ceiling or running down interior walls and water actually dripping into your home are all cause to investigate and discover the reason, which might be a leak or is often the result of condensation. It’s especially in the winter that warm, moist air rises and often condenses in the attic, where it can pool and leak through the ceiling. Most water leaks start smaller than the ones shown below. Check for the source of leaks at the first sign of water marks. While they’re not always caused by a roof problem, any leak is a concern that needs to be resolved as quickly as possible in order to minimize damage and expense.

Paint Damage

Paint peeling or blistering, swellings in woodwork or trim – indoors or out – can be caused by water pooling up underneath where it doesn’t belong. These types of blemish are much more than cosmetic; they indicate a serious leak that may or may not be caused by a faulty roof, although that is a prime suspect to investigate.

Mold

Mold or mildew growth on ceilings or walls could be a sign of a leaky roof, the result of condensation problems or even a simple plumbing issue. Check that your insulation is dry, your home has adequate ventilation, your bathroom fixtures and plumbing lines aren’t leaking or sweating. Such things may be less costly to correct than getting a roof replacement. Apart from creating ugly stains and indicating potential roof damage, mold and mildew can have an adverse effect on home air quality and your family’s health. Have the issue addressed as soon as possible.

Granule Loss

When clearing your eavestroughs of leaves in the fall, you may notice that some colored granules have accumulated in the gutters. Depending on the age of your roofing shingles and normal weathering processes, this is not unusual. An excessive amount of granules might be cause for concern. But what is considered “excessive”?

While there’s no way to definitively quantify how much granule loss is too much, the best indication is to look at the roofing shingles themselves. When asphalt shingles are manufactured, more granules are embedded in their surface than are actually necessary so it’s only natural that the superfluous, loose granules would wash away first. Even on brand-new shingles, you can make out the black asphalt the granules are embedded in. However, if the asphalt shingles on your roof have relatively large bare patches where the granules have eroded away and exposed the underlying black weathering asphalt to the elements, you will need to replace any damaged shingles. If the problem isn’t limited to just a few shingles, it may well be time for a roof replacement. A reputable contractor can help you decide.

Hydro Jet Services

Problems with your sewers have the potential to be quite serious, so pick up the phone and call us as soon as you notice something out of the ordinary. Save money today on plumbing repairs and hydro jet services

If you ever have the misfortune to encounter a drain clog that simply won’t budge no matter what you do, a heavy-duty professional solution may be required. There are times when a drain becomes packed with years’ worth of sludge caused by hair, food, paper products or soap, and it needs a special technique to blast through everything that stands in its way. In the professional plumbing world, the technique is called hydrojetting.

Your Hydro Jet Questions Answered

A Hydro Jet is a machine that uses water to power through almost any type of drain clog. The water is sprayed into the drain under high pressure, and can reach up to 4,000 psi, depending on the power rating of the machine in question. Even blockages caused by invading tree roots aren’t a problem for a good hydro jet service  performed by an experienced plumber with ample drain cleaning training. Hydro Jet services are reserved for the most difficult of drain clogs, and for that, it is quite effective.

Should I try to Hydro Jet Myself?

Since hydro jet services are part of an overall solution for seriously clogged drains, the DIY approach isn’t usually warranted. The average homeowner doesn’t have the necessary equipment, and doesn’t have the necessary expertise. Some have tried an air compressor or high-powered hose to do the trick, but typically these methods have little to no success. In some cases the clog may move a little but it won’t help solve the issue in the long run. If you attempt to perform a hydro jet service yourself you’ll most likely add a bunch more water to an already clogged drain, only making the situation worse.

How to Prevent Serious Drain Clogs

Many of the kinds of clogs that require a hydro jet as a solution are created over months or even years. It’s just a slow buildup of materials like cooking grease, hair, food particles and paper products that don’t move through the system and gradually harden on the insides of the pipes. To prevent this from happening, start being more diligent about what goes down the drains in your home. It may not matter to you now because the result takes time, but you’ll be doing yourself a big favor for the future if you monitor the situation now.

HYDRO-JETTING

When you think of plumbing issues, perhaps the most common scenario you imagine involves clogged pipes. That’s reasonable enough if you do. After all, clogged pipes are just about the most common kind of problem that can plague your plumbing

And your pipes can certainly get clogged in a variety of ways. You might flush just the wrong thing or too many of something. Maybe dirt or other debris will build up over the years. Perhaps even your pipes could accumulate grease after enough time of carelessness in the kitchen.

It doesn’t matter what the reason is, really. What DOES matter is that, if your plumbing’s pipes become clogged, you’re going to want to get them unclogged and unclogged FAST. And a great way to get your plumbing unclogged is to call on a professional plumbing expert for a hydro-jetting.

HIGH-PRESSURE WATER JETTING

Grease, sludge, sand and debris are the main causes of commercial drain line blockages. Our high-pressure water jetting service can help you clear this sediment by:

Penetrating and emulsifying grease

Breaking up sludge and debris

Pulverizing roots

Cutting out hardened scale

Flushing out the system

Cable machines are used to remove tree roots and break through solid obstructions. However, they are less effective in removing softer blockages such as grease, scale and other buildup. Cable machines will bore holes through sludge but they can’t clean and push the debris out of pipes as effectively as a water jet machine.

High-pressure water jetting is an efficient, economical, and environmentally safe way to clean drain and sewer pipes. Using state-of-the-art pumps and flexible hoses, ordinary water is propelled under varying amounts of pressure into the sewer line. A special nozzle mounted on the end of a heavy-duty hose has an array of forward and reverse water jets, which direct extremely powerful concentrated streams of water all the way to the pipe walls. Even the toughest blockages and buildup can’t stand up to water jet machine cutting, which thoroughly cleans pipes.

Restaurants and other commercial establishments typically require frequent high-pressure water jetting to remove mineral deposits, grease buildup, sludge and debris that accumulate in the lines. Clogs can cause down time, and down time in any industry means lost customers and revenue. Some businesses may require just one or two cleanings annually, while others benefit from monthly or quarterly cleanings. That’s why many of our customers prefer to set up a scheduled program for water jetting service that keeps their drains flowing freely. professional can recommend a jetting service schedule that best meets the needs of your business.

All it takes is a few inches of water to create a serious water damage threat to your home or office. The harmful effects of water damage can be reduced greatly by the prompt and reliable water damage restoration service

The Truth Behind Your Hydrojetting Service

Drain cleaning is probably the last type of cleaning you think of when you think of hiring a housekeeper. However, it is just as important as keeping the visible portion of your home tidy. When your drains are left unattended to for long periods of time, you may begin to experience low water pressure, slow water drainage in tubs or showers, and overflowing toilets.

Hydrojetting: What it Is

When you are in need of serious drain cleaning, we recommend a process called hydro jetting. Hydro jetting is basically spraying water through a nozzle at a high pressure (and temperature) in order to blast away debris, dirt, contaminants, and clogs.

After your drains have been hydro jetted, you will notice that your water pressure has been restored, toilets don’t overflow nearly as often, and your drains function properly–probably as well as brand new ones!

The next question is WHY we recommend hydrojetting instead of snaking or store-bought cleaners. While snaking drains can be a good idea when done by a professional, sometimes clogs are too far for our tools to reach. In addition, the clog is the only thing removed with a snake, the debris and buildup in the pipe stay where it is.

Store-bought cleaners are another issue entirely, actually: they are dangerous. These products are made with lye which has been used over the years in soaps and detergents. Lye, when used in soap or detergent isn’t inherently harmful. When used in a high concentration (like in drain cleaners) it can cause burns to the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs.

Why is Hydro-Jetting a Good Idea

When your drainage problem persists, then have this service done by your local plumbers. Your local plumbing contractor will be equipped with high powered hoses that’s going to get your drains unclogged. Plumbing services and repairs are done best by professionals

Of course you can dump a drain cleaner down your drains in hopes that something magical is going to happen, but chances are that your drains are going to continue to clog if you don’t have an industrial cleaning done on them. Most homeowners tend to ignore their drains until something occurs such as clogs. When a clog happens the firs thing that many of them do is try to plunge out the clog as there are many home remedies that work just as there are many that don’t. What you need to be doing is getting a hold of a plumber. Drainage clogs tend to cost lots of money to eliminate.

You spend half your day waiting for a repair person to come out and the other half worrying about how you’re going to pay for the repair. You don’t have to worry any longer as there is hydro-jetting. It’s the ultimate technique for drain cleaning. If you’ve lived in the Ventura area for a long time, then you know that California is always on top of things in regards to being cutting edge. But it really is on top of things as far as plumbing is concerned

Hydro-jetting is a great idea for homeowners in the area as you are more prone to loose desert sediment  and earthquakes.

Everything You Need to Know About Hydrojetting

Hydrojetting is a new plumbing strategy that plumbers all over the country are beginning to adopt to tackle more severe clogs that cannot be easily remedied with plungers. This technology is a significant addition to the plumbing industry and it is important to understand exactly how it works.

What is Hydrojetting and How Does it Work?

Hydrojetting is a process that uses pressurized water to clear pipes. Professionals pump the high-pressure water through your pipes and it clears the interior of any debris that has built up and caused a clogged or slower flow.

Previously, most plumbers would use a technique called rodding. Rodding is when you use a tool to create a hole through the debris in an effort to open up the flow more. Hydrojetting is significantly more thorough and effective in clearing build-up.

A plumber will identify the ideal area to pump the water and insert a hose that is connected to a large tank of water. Depending on the severity and nature of your clog, the plumber will choose a pressure level to use. Hydrojetting can shoot up to 20 gallons of water through your pipes each minute. Because most pipes angle downward from your home into the sewer system, the dislodged material that was blocking your pipe will flow down into the sewer system.

Hydrojetting can take care of a wide variety of different materials. It will clear grease, hair, food or soap residue, and even tree roots and mineral build-up.

Steps in the Hydro Jetting Process

Here’s what occurs when you schedule this service:

1. Your licensed plumber locates the plumbing system cleanout, which gives an easy access point to the piping throughout your home.

2. He or she uses a  camera to inspect your plumbing pipes and drain prior to jetting. This step searches for damage within the system, such as cracked or crumbling pipes, which could be worsened by the process.

3. Your plumber inserts the jetting hose downstream into the plumbing lines. This durable hose attaches to a water tank that pressurizes water.

4. Your plumber adjusts the water pressure to appropriate levels for pipe conditions. Hydro jetting typically involves water pressure up to 35,000 psi.

5. Once the high-pressured water begins, the tool moves upstream through the plumbing lines as it scours the interior pipe walls.

6. The tool removes built-up debris from the inside of the pipe walls. Gravity pulls the debris down through the home plumbing system and safely flushes it out of the home.

What is Hydro Jetting Used For?

Hydro jetting is used to completely eliminate scale buildup and heavy root intrusion in main sewer lines, and heavy grease and scale buildup in kitchen lines. It is especially useful in commercial applications for restaurant lines due to excessive grease. When kitchen drain pipes get frequent use and have even minimal amounts of grease poured into them on a regular basis, they can quickly become full and close off the flow of water. Additionally, the unique plumbing method of hydro jetting will rotate the high-pressure water in the drain lines, scouring the inside of the pipe and restoring it to optimal condition.

Is Hydro Jetting Safe?

Hydro jetting, even at the highest PSI is safe for most kitchen and sewer drain lines. It is especially important that the licensed contractor performs a camera inspection prior to hydro jetting to determine the pipeline condition. If the pipe is deteriorating, has cracks or holes, or looks frail in places, hydro jetting may not be the best immediate option. Even regular snaking can break a drain line that is in poor condition. When hiring a drain specialist, make sure to choose a licensed, insured and bonded contractor to keep your property safe and protect the integrity of the lines as much as possible.

Hydro Jetting Procedure

Hydro jetting is done by inserting the specialized hose inside a cleanout. A cleanout is an opening in the plumbing system that gives plumbers access to the sewer pipes for cleaning and repairs. The hose is then activated to allow highly-pressurized water to wash away any dirt and debris found in the sewer pipes. The pressure of the water coming out from a hydro jet can reach up to 3,500 psi which makes it an ideal method in removing even the most stubborn dirt such as tree roots. Hydro jetters can clean several hundred feet of sewer pipe.

Hydro Jetting Vs. Snaking

Cleaning the main drain of your sewer line is something that many homeowners need to do on a regular basis. This type of maintenance prevents sewer backups, removes tree roots from the pipe and is a good way to keep tabs on the state of the sewer line.

There are two standard methods for cleaning the sewage line: hydro jetting and snaking. Both methods are a common service offered by plumbing and drain cleaning companies. Understanding the differences between hydro jetting and snaking can help homeowners pick the right method for their sewer.

The Hydro Jetting Method

Hydro jetting is achieved when a very forceful stream of water between 3,000 and 8,000 PSI is forced into the sewer line. This stream of water is strong enough to clear out any debris or clogs in its way, including tree roots, grease and hair.

Advantages of Hydro jetting:

Hydro jetting is extremely effective: High water pressure is highly effective for cleaning out clogged sewers and maintaining a clean sewer line. A strong enough jet of water can even remove tree roots.

Hydro jetting services are versatile: With a high enough PSI, water pressure is strong enough to clear commercial sewer lines as well as domestic lines.

Disadvantages of Hydro jetting:

Too much water pressure can damage some pipes: Sometimes hydro jetting works a little too well. Older, fragile pipes and damaged pipes may not be able to withstand the force from such a powerful stream of water. Luckily, hydro jetting is not a do-it-yourself activity. Plumbing companies that offer hydro jetting services know to inspect pipes and determine the strength of pipes before using hydro jetting equipment.

The Snaking Method

Snaking is done with an auger. An auger looks like a long steel cable with a cork-screw like coil at one end. When the auger is inserted into the sewer line, the coil at the end pierces obstructions it encounters and clears a path through the pipe.

Advantages of Snaking:

Snaking is historically effective: It is a time-tested, proven method for clearing basic clogs in sewer drains.

It won’t damage fragile pipes: Snaking is relatively gentle and poses no threat to older pipes.

Disadvantages of Snaking:

Snaking only clears a path as wide as the tip of the auger: While snaking is an effective method for clearing basic clogs and increasing drainage speeds in slow sewer drains, snaking is only a temporary fix for many problems that homeowners experience with their sewer lines.

How To: Choose a Water Heater

Whether tank or tankless, water heaters can dramatically impact your home’s comfort and costs. If you are looking to replace an existing unit, the type, size and efficiency of the one you choose will be important

While we often take a hot shower or bath for granted, it’s important to note that up to 20% of a household’s annual energy expenditures come from heating hot water. That makes it the second largest utility expense in the home, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, averaging around $400 to $600 per year.  If you are looking to install a new hot water heater—or replace an existing one—the type, size and efficiency of the unit you choose will have a big impact on its performance and long-term savings.

There are a number of different types of water heaters to consider from heat pumps to solar-powered units, but the most common are tank and tankless. Traditional, tank-style water heaters are large metal cylinders that keep hot water stored and on reserve for when it may be needed. Since they typically range in capacity from 40 to 60 gallons and are generally about 60″ tall by 24″ wide, they are often installed in a basement or laundry room.

Tankless units, also known as “on demand” water heaters, turn on only when hot water is required. With no holding tank, the system is not only more compact—typically 20″ wide by 28″ long by 10″ deep—but more efficient since it is not storing a reserve of hot water (or compensating for its subsequent heat loss). Tank-style water heaters are usually less expensive than tankless units, but tankless models generally last longer: a traditional water heater usually lasts 10 to 13 years, while tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years.

Regardless of whether the unit is tank or tankless, water heaters generally fall into two categories: direct-fired or indirect-fired. Direct-fired means that the water in the tank is heated directly by the heat of a flame; these units are generally used in homes with warm air furnaces. In direct-fired heaters, fuel is burned in a combustion chamber under the water storage tank, then hot flue gases heat water in the tank

Water Heater Buying Guide

The cost of heating water consumes almost 20 percent of your household budget, second only to what you spend on heating and cooling your home. Despite this expense, water heaters are typically ignored until they break, leaving you with no hot water and, possibly, a flooded basement.

If your water heater is nearing the end of its useful life and you’re thinking of replacing it before disaster strikes, you’ll be happy to know that you have better choices, thanks to recent federal regulations that require water heaters to be more energy-efficient. New storage tank water heaters are required to operate more efficiently, and tankless (on-demand) water heaters are even more efficient than that.

Typically, homeowners replace their old water heater with one of the same type that runs on the same fuel—natural gas or electricity. Switching from a tank water heater to a tankless unit can be expensive because it requires you to retrofit your plumbing and possibly your electrical system. But if you’re building a new home or adding to an existing one, installing a tankless water heater may make economic sense.

Consumer Reports recently tested several electric and gas whole-house tankless water heaters from brands such as Bosch, Navien, Noritz, Rheem, Rinnai, Tempra, and Trutankless. We compared the results with those of conventional tanked heaters from Rheem, one gas and one electric, as well as with a Rheem electric heat pump water heater, which is a variation on a tanked water heater.

Following a “heavy use” industry standard test, we compared the performance of gas and electric tankless water heaters with the performance of their conventional tank counterparts. The test used a high draw pattern equal to using 84 gallons of water per day. That’s the daily equivalent of taking several showers, running the dishwasher, washing one load of laundry, and turning the faucet on and off multiple times. The test used an inlet temperature of 58° F for gas models and 74° F for electrics (plus or minus 2° F) and a target outlet temperature of 120° F.

How to Choose a New Water Heater

It’s the dead of winter, freezing cold outside, and you seek comfort in the piping hot confines of your morning shower. With the lights dimmed, the water hits your face and rolls over your shoulders. Your muscles relax one by one as the warmness of the water finds its way down your legs to your chilly, restless feet. Lathered with soap and shampoo, you slump against the warming tile, eyes closed. You consider falling back asleep standing fully upright when it happens — a sudden burst of ice cold water hits your chest like acid rain. You crank the cold water down to zero with no result. The water temperature has turned against you, refusing heat in a stubborn show of determination. The cruel reality hits you — your water heater has just bought the farm.

A visit to your local big-box home-improvement store is overwhelming, to say the least. You’re faced with too many brands and too many sizes to choose from. Different fuel sources and energy ratings confuse you. And what’s the deal with these heaters that don’t even have a tank? How on earth can they meet your needs? Unfortunately, your big-box home-improvement employee helps you none — you’re going to have to figure

You should start your journey by reading How Water Heaters Work to fully understand how a storage tank heater operates. We’ll get into tankless models in the next section, but for now let’s look at the fuel options you can use for a storage tank water heater.

Electric – uses large coils that hang down into the tank to heat the water. The coils are similar to the ones in an electric oven. Generally, electric water heaters aren’t as efficient as those powered by other fuel sources, and electricity is more expensive than natural gas or propane. However, they’re less expensive up front and don’t require venting. If your water demand is small, then it may be a good way to go.

Natural Gas – uses a gas burner at the bottom of the tank, with a venting chimney that runs through the center and out the top. The carbon dioxide and water vapor byproducts are vented through the chimney and then run outdoors through your house chimney or side wall vent. A gas pilot light or electric spark produces the flame. Natural gas models cost more than electric heaters but are more efficient to operate.

HOW TO CHOOSE A WATER HEATER

Heating water is the second largest single user of energy in the home. While we all enjoy a soothing hot shower, rising energy costs—along with their adverse environmental impact—make it a good time to take a closer look at the various options now available.

Storage Tank: The most common hot water system used in homes. Water is kept constantly heated in the storage tank by electricity, natural gas, oil, or propane. Hot water is drawn out of the top of the tank when a faucet is turned on and cold water flows in the bottom to replace it.

Tankless: Also known as on demand water heaters. Water is heated by electricity or gas when the water flows through it without the need for a tank.

Solar: Water is circulated from the tank through a solar collector where it is heated by the sun. If the water in the tank is not hot enough, a conventional water heater is used to bring it up to the desired temperature.

Heat Pump: Heat pumps use electricity to move heat from one place to another. Heat pumps can be used for water heating alone or in combination with your heating and air conditioning system.

Water Heater Buying Guide

Purchasing a Water Heater

Whether you’ve just taken that first unexpected and unwelcome cold shower or simply wish to reduce your energy bill, purchasing a new water heater can be an intimidating process

Fuel Source

First, determine what type of fuel source you have in the home. Once you know the fuel source, it’ll be easier to choose a water heater to fit your needs. Here are the differences among electric, gas/propane and hybrid fuel types.

Storage Tank

This is the most common type of water heater. These units have an insulated tank where water is heated and stored until it’s needed. They’re available in electric, liquid propane (LP) and natural gas models. Natural gas and LP water heaters normally use less energy and are less expensive to operate than electric models of the same size. When you buy a water heater, look at its cited energy efficiency and yearly operating costs. This information can be found on the EnergyGuide label.

Tankless or On-Demand

They don’t store hot water; they heat water as it passes through a series of coils in the unit. Since the unit only heats water as you use it, a tankless heater is usually more energy-efficient than a traditional storage tank water heater. They’re available in electric, LP and natural gas models. A tankless unit can provide only a limited flow rate of hot water. Most tankless units can provide up to 3.5 gallons of heated water per minute. These units are a good choice for anyone whose demand doesn’t typically call for hot water at more than two points at a time

Point-of-Use or Utility

Small storage tank water heaters, known as point-of-use or utility water heaters, are good choices for adding hot water to outbuildings, shops or garages. Utility water heaters usually range in size from 2.5 to 19 gallons. The largest of these miniature units can also be used to provide hot water to secondary bathrooms that may be situated far from your home’s main water heater.