By now, the term PVC is practically a household word. But PVC is only the tip of a material iceberg containing several variants. One of these, CPVC, has been seeing an increase of popularity in recent years. But what’s the difference between PVC and CPVC, and which is better? What is PVC? PVC, or polyvinyl …
Your hot water heater is one of those underappreciated appliances that has long-since earned a closer look to see just how many innovations were needed to make it the indispensable and reliable appliance we know and rely on today. Here, we’ll take a look at some of the many things that have been invented or …
Water Heaters. You would think such a simple sounding name would mean an equally simple choice, but then you start searching for a new water heater and get pages of drastically different results. Today, we’re going to focus on the tankless water heater, which continues to gain in popularity. Tankless water heaters outperform traditional tank …
Read moreCondensing vs Non-Condensing Tankless Water Heaters
What if getting hot water wasn’t as simple as turning a handle? It’s hard to imagine but it always wasn’t as easy. One of the most important appliances in your home is also one of ones most taken for granted. However, while water heaters are considered an essential part of modern households in the US, …
Whether behind your water heater, in your bathroom, or within your walls, mold is a serious problem that begins as an invisible culprit of damaged health and safety. The sooner you identify mold in your house, the quicker you avoid a dangerous situation. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), water-damaged areas need to be …
One of those many innovations that are only now being rediscovered, radiant floor heating is something that has been around for centuries (possibly even longer). Radiant heating was used in the form of radiators in many older homes during the last century, and steam heating was proven to be highly efficient, although the technology of …
Read moreHydronic Radiant Floor Heating Systems (Pros/Cons, Types, Cost)
One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make when buying a new water heater is to focus entirely on features or cost. True, these are important aspects, but what happens when that heater you bought with all the bells and whistles breaks? Will the warranty cover repairs, or are you left to fend for …
Not every job can be handled by a DIYer, and many weekend handymen try to tackle jobs beyond their scope in an effort to save money but end up spending far more in the long run. Hiring a good plumber is not only cost-efficient in many cases, but they can often work faster and more …
Water heaters are so commonplace, we often forget how dangerous they can be. Much like their predecessor the boiler, a water heater has an increasingly high risk of explosion if not installed and maintained properly. These explosions are easily powerful enough to level a garage or home and cause damage around it. For this reason, …
Indirect water heaters can be confusing to many homeowners looking to upgrade. The system isn’t for everyone, and your household needs and HVAC systems can play a huge part in whether an indirect water heater is right for you. Here are some of the things you’ll need to know before investing in one. How an …
Read moreIndirect Water Heaters: How They Work and Why You’d Want One
Flushing your water heater on a regular basis is a necessary and time-consuming job. Thankfully, many modern water heaters feature self-cleaning capabilities to make your life easier. There are a few things you should know about self-cleaning water heaters before investing in one, however. What is a Self Cleaning Water Heater? Self cleaning water heaters …
Tankless water heaters are far more efficient than a standard tank model, and this also translates to less maintenance. However, one question which may not be so apparent is how these heaters deal with sediment in the water supply. Some modern models have built-in filters, but most have little or no protection against incoming particles. …
In Ireland, many homes still have antiquated boiler systems that can actually blow up when left running for too long. But what about a modern home with an up-to-date water heater system? While far safer than traditional boilers, even that brand new AO Smith isn’t perfect. Here’s everything you need to know about the risk …
Back in the day, a loop of copper tubing functioned as a heat trap for your hot water heater. These days, many water heaters include a more complex heat trap, and you can easily buy and install one in your existing heater. But how do they work, and are they worth the extra investment? How …
Perhaps it’s time to expand your home and you’ve decided to turn the basement into additional living space, but that water heater needs to disappear. Or maybe the heater is in existing living space, such as the kitchen or laundry room. It can be hard to figure out how to hide a water heater, but …
