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Tankless water heater installation in Hanover, MD

The Pros and Cons of Going Tankless: A Closer Look at Tankless Water Heaters

Written by Kevin on April 9, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

On-demand water heaters are among the hottest trends in home improvement. While they’re not a new concept, lowering prices and advancing technologies have made them more compelling. Let’s explore the pros and cons to see if a tankless system is right for your home.

Power and Fuel Options

Tankless water heaters are available in electric and fuel-burning configurations. Which type is right for you depends on many factors, including your household’s peak hot water demand.

Electric

Electric water heaters are generally cheaper to purchase and install because they’re less complex. Still, they often cost more long-term due to the cost of electricity. A small home with low hot water demand is the one scenario where an electric on-demand water heater is more economical. In other scenarios, fuel-burning systems are usually best. If you must have an electric unit, consider a hybrid heat pump water heater as a highly efficient alternative.

Fuel

For most households, fuel-burning on-demand water heaters are the most cost-effective for long-term use. Natural gas is the ideal fuel because it’s cheaper and more convenient. If your property lacks access, you can opt for either fuel oil or liquid propane.

Fuel-burning systems require gas lines and exhaust systems. If you’re converting to a fuel-burning system, the conversion will be an additional but one-time cost. With fuel-burning water heaters, you also have the option of a condensing system. These models have a second heat exchanger to help avoid heat losses through the flue.

Electrical Panel Considerations

All tankless water heaters require electricity, meaning gas models don’t function during power outages either. If you have an older home, you may need to upgrade the electrical panel to accommodate the new water heater. This may be necessary to increase the amp capacity or provide room for an additional dedicated circuit. Even in newer homes, you may need a whole-home surge protector. The National Electrical Code added it as a requirement in 2023.

Hard Water Considerations

Water hardness refers to the amount of calcium carbonate in your water supply. Hard water is a concern for all water heaters because it decreases efficiency, increases operating costs, and lowers expected lifespan. Yet, it’s even more problematic for on-demand systems because they are more sensitive and don’t have a tank. If you have moderately hard water, consider adding an anti-scale device to your new water heater. If your water ranges higher on the hard water scale, consider a whole-house water softener instead.

Equipment & Installation Costs

Tankless water heaters cost more to purchase and install than their traditional tank counterparts. Homeowners should expect to need a bigger budget by at least 25% and as much as 50%. There may be additional costs, such as a gas conversion and electrical panel upgrade. That said, you shouldn’t have to pay those costs each time you replace the water heater.

Installation Footprint

Traditional water heaters require significantly more space due to the tank. Most on-demand water heaters, on the other hand, are wall-mounted and take up little space. If you currently have a water heater closet, you can repurpose it. You can install a tankless water heater in your garage without taking up valuable storage space. Other popular installation sites include attics and basements so that the water heater equipment is out of sight.

Less Risk of Leaks and Water Damage

Leaks are a much bigger concern with tank water heaters. Consider that the average model can dump 40 gallons or more of water onto your floor quickly. Tankless water heaters do leak, but it’s generally a drip from a bad valve. They rarely result in significant water damage.

Sizing Tankless Water Heaters

Estimating the needed capacity for an on-demand water heater is more complex than with standard water heaters. Each fixture and water-using appliance requires a certain flow rate, which we measure in gallons per minute (GPM). You need a water heater that delivers a flow rate that meets or exceeds your household’s peak demand. Peak demand is the combined GPM for all the fixtures and appliances you want to run at the same time.

Another consideration is temperature rise. Rise is the difference between the temperature of your water supply and the target temperature of your hot water. Manufacturers indicate GPM within the context of temperature rise. This is why the same model will provide a lower flow rate in a northern climate than in a southern one.

Considerations for Large Homes

It’s more difficult to find the ideal location for a tankless water heater in a larger home. This is due to the longer distances the water travels. It can result in more noticeable delays and the cold-water sandwich effect. Many systems now come with a recirculating pump to help alleviate this problem. Homeowners can strategically add recirculating pumps and compact storage tanks. In very big homes, an installer may recommend installing multiple on-demand water heaters rather than a central model.

The Option to Oversize Your Water Heater

Have you ever wished you had access to more hot water, such as during the holidays? That isn’t practical with a tank water heater because you’ll pay for the added capacity daily. With an on-demand water heater, it’s an economical option. You’ll pay more initially and when you use the added capacity but not at other times.

Reduced Operating Costs & Carbon Footprint

A big selling point of modern tankless water heaters is lower energy consumption. That results in a smaller household carbon footprint and reduced month-to-month water heating costs. How much you’ll save depends on how much hot water you use. The Department of Energy estimates a 24% to 34% reduction in energy use for the average household. Average in this context means 41 gallons or less of hot water used daily. Households that use twice as much hot water or more may only experience energy savings between 8% and 14%.

Lower Total Cost of Ownership

While on-demand water heaters cost more up front, you can recoup that added expense through lower operating costs. Another consideration is that tankless water heaters typically last longer. You can expect a 15-year lifespan with regular maintenance, and many systems can last 20 years or more. You’ll notice that manufacturer warranties tend to reflect this expectancy. There are even models available with 25-year warranties.

Energy Incentives

Energy incentives can significantly reduce your initial costs and, in some cases, even your out-of-pocket expenses. The Environmental Protection Agency awards ENERGY STAR certification to water heaters that meet its energy standards. Most incentives require that label. That includes the federal tax credit. It also includes rebates available through utilities, manufacturers, and other private groups. To see which offers are available to you, you can search the ENERGY STAR website using your zip code.

Tank & Tankless Water Heater Installation in New River Valley

Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating is a residential and commercial plumbing contractor serving Hanover, MD and the surrounding areas. Our company has a wide selection of top-rated water heaters in stock and offers many specials. Our licensed plumbers install tank and tankless systems and all brands and models. To schedule an on-site installation consultation, call today, or book online through our website.

5 Water-Saving Tips to Reduce Your Utility Bills This Spring

Written by Kevin on April 2, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Reducing your water bills this spring doesn’t necessarily mean major changes. A few simple adjustments can help you to significantly cut back on your water consumption, allowing you to save money and resources. Keeping several tips in mind can let you see a decrease sooner rather than later in your utility bills.

1. Take Shorter Showers

Cutting your shower time in half can significantly reduce your monthly water bills. For example, if you usually take a shower that’s 10 to 12 minutes, consider shortening it to four or five minutes. If that’s too drastic of a change right away, you can shorten it by a minute every few days to ease into the new habit. Bring your phone into the bathroom with you and put it in a safe place where it won’t get wet so that you can set an alarm to know when it’s time to get out of the shower.

2. Change How You Use Your Dishwasher

You have several options to change your dishwasher habits that can help decrease your bills. For example, never run the dishwasher unless it has a full load. However, you also don’t want to overload it; otherwise, the dishes won’t get properly cleaned, and you’ll likely have to rerun the appliance.

Cleaning it is also crucial. Wipe up any messes each day, and clean the filter weekly. Deep clean your dishwasher monthly. The cleaner your dishwasher is, the more efficiently it can run and the less strain it will experience when operating, which could increase your water bills.

Make sure you’re also checking for leaks periodically. They may not be as obvious as a puddle flowing into your kitchen. Some are subtle, such as small drips coming from the drain hose. Minor drips still raise your monthly water bills and could quickly worsen into severe, costly problems.

3. Collect Rainwater

Spring is the ideal time to perfect your green thumb. Many people with gardens or indoor plants turn on the faucet or hose when they want to water their greenery. However, collecting rainwater can be a great way to reduce your water consumption and save money on monthly water bills.

You don’t necessarily need a large barrel. In many cases, putting out a few buckets can suffice. Before you start the process, make sure it’s legal in your location. Some states and jurisdictions ban rainwater collections.

After you collect the rainwater, it is a good idea to cover it if you’re not using it immediately. This keeps insects and other small animals from getting into the water container. It also helps keep the water clean and prevents leaves and other debris from getting into it.

4. Get a Plumbing Inspection

Getting a plumbing inspection is crucial to reducing your monthly water bills. We can evaluate your entire system, from your water pressure to checking for leaks under your sinks. Ideally, you will have the plumbing inspection in spring after the long winter and cold temperatures, which can both take a toll on plumbing systems.

Book an appointment with us as soon as possible. Many homeowners call us for a spring plumbing inspection: Calling early ensures you get the date and time slot that works best for your schedule.

5. Do Personal Inspections

Personal inspections of your plumbing system make it easy to notice if any problems could be causing your water bills to unnecessarily increase, even subtly. There are several spaces to check, and you’ll especially want to do so in areas of your home that you don’t often go to or see. For example, check underneath your bathroom, laundry room, and kitchen sinks to make sure there’s no water dripping, and check your water heater to ensure that there’s no water coming from it. Being proactive allows you to catch plumbing problems before they worsen and increase your water bills even more.

6. Repair Leaks

Don’t wait to call us if you notice any leaks or get a repair if we inform you that we spotted one or more. Scheduling an appointment with us to make the appropriate repairs can prevent the leaks from getting worse and can ensure your water bills don’t continue to increase unnecessarily.

7. Check Your Garden Hoses

Many gardeners are excited to hook up their hoses and water their plants in spring. However, before you do so, check your garden hose from top to bottom for leaks, cracks or other damage, and ensure there’s no water dripping from the base of the outdoor faucet.

These leaks may seem minor enough that they won’t cause a problem, but any type of leak wastes water and can cause your monthly utility bills to skyrocket. If you have a leak coming from the faucet, call us as soon as possible so we can inspect it. If you have a leak in your garden hose, you can either repair the leak yourself or replace the hose entirely to eliminate the problem and enjoy hassle-free watering all summer long.

8. Install Low-Flow Bathroom Fixtures

Installing low-flow shower heads and faucets in your bathroom can significantly reduce your water consumption and decrease your monthly water bills. As the name indicates, low-flow showerheads use less water than their traditional counterparts yet still do their jobs efficiently.

We can install these low-flow bathroom fixtures for you. Our professional plumbers install them quickly and properly to ensure they work optimally for you. Ask us to handle the task for you when you call us to schedule a spring plumbing inspection appointment.

9. Change Your Washing Machine Habits

Many families are starting to get out more during spring and enjoy the warmer temperatures, so washing machines may be used more often to clean dirt-stained clothes. More dirty clothes means using the washing machine more often and higher water bills.

Be sure to use your washing machine only when you have a full load if you want to save money on your monthly water bills. However, be careful not to overload it; otherwise, the appliance won’t be able to do its job correctly. Your clothes won’t get properly cleaned, and you’ll likely have to run the machine over again.

You also want to make sure you’re cleaning your washing machine each month. It must be clean to work efficiently, and an efficient machine uses the least amount of energy possible to wash your clothes.

When doing the laundry, make sure no leaks are coming from the hose or the machine itself. If there are, there’s a good chance it could increase your monthly water bills even if the leaks seem minor.

Taking steps now to reduce your water bills can allow you to start saving money sooner rather than later. Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating in Hanover, MD, offers many plumbing services, including plumbing inspections, water heater installations, and more, that can help you with the process. Contact us today to schedule an inspection for your bathroom or kitchen plumbing and for more information on how to reduce your monthly water bills.

Choosing the Right Whole-House Water Filtration System

Written by Kevin on February 15, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Ensuring the quality of your home’s water is essential for the health and well-being of your family. Installing a whole-house water filtration system can provide comprehensive protection, delivering cleaner water to every tap in your home. This not only safeguards your drinking water but also ensures that the water you use for bathing and cooking is free of contaminants. By understanding the benefits and options available, you can make an informed decision to enhance your home’s water quality.

Why Add a Whole-Home Water Filtration System?

Even after treatment, municipal water can still contain contaminants such as lead, pesticides, and residual chemicals. Additionally, treatment processes often involve adding chemicals like chlorine, which can impact both your family’s health and the water’s taste and smell. For homeowners with private wells, filtration is equally essential. Well water may contain contaminants like sediment, bacteria, or high mineral levels, as well as pollutants from nearby agricultural or industrial activity. Installing a whole-home water filtration system ensures clean, safe water throughout your home, whether you rely on a municipal supply or a private well.

Mechanical Filtration

Most whole-home water filters use some form of mechanical filtration and even multiple layers. Mechanical filtration involves removing suspended particles by passing water through a mesh filter or cartridge.

The effectiveness of mechanical filtration depends on the filter’s pore size, which determines the size of particles it can capture. For example, a filter with a larger pore size might trap only visible debris like sediment or rust. In contrast, a finer filter can remove microscopic contaminants such as silt and even some bacteria.

Many systems combine different layers of mechanical filtration, starting with coarse filters to catch larger particles and progressing to finer ones for smaller impurities. Prefilters trap the largest particles. They’re, sometimes, called sediment filters and are most necessary for homes with wells, which are more prone to having large dirt particles in their water supply.

However, prefilters are usually also incorporated into water filtration systems for homes that use municipal water. This is because they extend the lifetime of the more expensive filters deeper in the system. By removing larger debris and sediment, prefilters help prevent clogging and wear on finer filters, ensuring that the overall filtration system functions more efficiently and lasts longer.

When choosing a whole-home system, ensure that it incorporates a prefilter to keep maintenance costs down and finer filters to capture smaller contaminants. Also, keep in mind that, while mechanical filtration is excellent for removing physical impurities, it often works best when paired with other filtration methods, such as activated carbon or UV systems, to address chemical and biological contaminants.

Absorptive Filtration

Mechanical filters alone are unable to trap gases and chemical molecules because their pore sizes are too large. To address this, many whole-home water filtration systems include absorptive filter media, such as activated carbon.

Activated carbon, also known as activated charcoal, is a highly porous form of carbon that can effectively absorb gases like volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as well as chemicals such as chlorine and chloramine. VOCs are a group of carbon-based chemicals often found in water and can include substances like benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene. They can be harmful to your health and contribute to poor water quality.

Due to its large surface area, activated carbon can undergo numerous filtration cycles before needing replacement. Once it traps harmful contaminants, they are neutralized and rendered harmless, providing a safer, cleaner water supply for your home.

Activated carbon comes in two primary forms: granular carbon and carbon block. Granular carbon consists of loose, small particles, allowing water to flow through the filter quickly. While it provides effective filtration, its larger spaces between the particles can allow some contaminants to pass through. On the other hand, carbon blocks are compacted into solid form, which provides a denser surface area for filtration. This structure allows carbon block filters to capture more contaminants than granular carbon, especially when it comes to chemicals like chlorine and chloramine. When shopping for a water treatment system, focus on ones that combine granular and carbon block filters because they balance filtration performance with flow rate.

UV Light

To eliminate over 99% of pathogens in your water, consider a whole-house water filtration system that includes ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). The UVGI process uses a UV lamp emitting ultraviolet (UV) light, effectively neutralizing harmful microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

Unlike chemical disinfectants, UV light doesn’t introduce any substances into your water, so it doesn’t alter the taste, smell, or appearance. It’s a chemical-free, environmentally friendly way to ensure that your water is free from harmful pathogens without the need for chlorine or other chemicals.

UV light is highly effective at targeting a broad range of pathogens, including bacteria like E. coli, viruses like hepatitis, and protozoa like Giardia. However, it’s important to note that UV light does not remove chemical contaminants, sediment, or heavy metals. Therefore, it’s often combined with other mechanical and absorptive filtration methods to provide comprehensive water treatment.

One of the advantages of UV light is its speed. The process requires only seconds to deactivate harmful microorganisms. This makes it a very efficient option for households that need to disinfect large amounts of water quickly, like if you have a well.

When purchasing a system for your home, keep in mind that, for the most effective results, the water must be clear before it enters the UV chamber. Particles or sediment in the water can block UV light from fully reaching pathogens, reducing the system’s effectiveness. Quality whole-house systems with UV lights incorporate prefilters to ensure the water is clear before UV exposure, optimizing performance and ensuring safe, pathogen-free water throughout your home.

Water Softening

Water softeners address hard water caused by minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals can make it more difficult for soaps to lather, lead to scale buildup in your plumbing, and potentially reduce the lifespan of appliances. Some water filtration systems can also soften your water, or you can install one separately to improve your water quality.

The most common type of water softener is a salt-based system. These systems use a process called ion exchange, where calcium and magnesium ions in the water are exchanged for sodium ions. As hard water passes through a resin tank, the resin beads absorb calcium and magnesium, and sodium ions are released into the water in their place.

However, not everyone wants a salt-based system. For those seeking an alternative, non-salt water softeners are available. These systems use various technologies, such as reverse osmosis or template-assisted crystallization (TAC), to reduce scale buildup without adding sodium to the water. Non-salt systems are often preferred by homeowners who need to avoid increased sodium intake or those with moderately hard water.

Contact Your Local Experts

At Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating, we have served the residents of Hanover, MD and the surrounding areas for years. We are expert plumbers who can help you choose the best water treatment system for your home. Additionally, we install, repair, and maintain heating and cooling systems. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.

Tips for Water Heater Maintenance That Can Boost Efficiency

Written by Kevin on February 8, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Your water heater is an essential part of your Hanover, MD, residence. You use hot water for activities like showering, bathing, performing basic cleaning tasks, doing laundry, etc. It often isn’t until your home’s hot water heater fails that you realize how important this appliance is. There are several maintenance tips that you can follow that will not only protect your hot water heater but also boost year-round efficiency. This will allow you to use your water heater without spending a ton of money on your monthly utility bills.

Scheduling Routine Inspections

It’s important that you have a professional come to your home annually to inspect your water heater as well as the rest of your plumbing system. A routine inspection of your water heater will include checking all the various electrical, gas, and water connections. We look at the pressure relief valve to ensure it will work properly if pressure is building up to a dangerous level inside your tank. We also inspect the anode rod inside your tank. This is a sacrificial rod that collects sediment and mineral deposits so that this material doesn’t corrode the inside of your tank. We check for other signs of corrosion on the exterior of the tank as well.

It’s important to have your water tank flushed at least once annually. This process removes any sediment and minerals that have accumulated. This accumulation can cause your water heater to work harder to provide you with the hot water you need, which decreases overall efficiency.

If we spot anything wrong with your water heater at this maintenance appointment, we can provide prompt and affordable repairs. It’s often much more efficient to perform a minor water heater repair than it is to wait for something catastrophic to happen, like your water heater not functioning at all.

We can also alert you if it looks like your hot water heater is starting to come close to the end of its useful life. This provides you with the opportunity to budget for its replacement. You can spend some time looking around for the perfect hot water heater that meets the demands of your family and provides you with the efficiency you need.

Adjusting the Thermostat on Your Water Heater

There’s a thermostat on your water heater that you can easily adjust yourself to boost efficiency. Ideally, you’ll want to keep the thermostat on your water heater at about 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything over 140 degrees Fahrenheit leads to inefficiencies. The goal is to find a setting that meets the hot water demands of your household without running your heater too frequently.

Remember that, even if you’re not using hot water right now, your water heater will run to maintain the temperature of the water in your tank. This is where a lot of homeowners lose money. If you have your thermostat set very high, your heater will run more frequently to keep up with that temperature setting. In most cases, you can still be comfortable after lowering the temperature.

Considering the Size of Your Tank

Hot water tanks come in a variety of sizes. This includes tanks that are around 30 gallons and upwards. It’s important that your home has the right-sized tank. If you have a tank that’s too large, your heater is going to run more frequently to maintain the temperature of the water in the tank. However, having too small a tank will result in your heater running too frequently to keep up with your demands.

Ideally, you want to purchase a hot water tank that’s 30 gallons if you have 1 to 2 people in your residence. Homes with 3 to 4 people benefit from a tank that’s 40 gallons in size. If you have a large household with more than 4 people in it, consider a large hot water tank that’s 50 gallons or larger.

In some homes, there may be a lot of people living in the residence, but the demand for hot water isn’t substantial. For example, you may use hot water throughout the day, but there isn’t one time of the day when the demand is very drastic. This may allow you to use a smaller tank size. Consider the amount of hot water you need at one time for bathing, cooking, running your appliances, etc.

Considering a Tankless Water Heater

If you have very high hot water demands at home, you may want to consider purchasing a tankless hot water system. This removes the need to have a tank installed, which is nice if you don’t have a lot of space to work with. Instead, a tankless system is installed on the wall of an area like your basement or utility room. Water will flow through this equipment and heat it as you need it. There won’t be any scenario where you can’t access hot water because you’ve run out.

Tankless water heaters tend to be efficient, too. If you’re not home or are away on vacation, you’re not paying to keep water in a tank heated. If the hot water faucets aren’t turned on in your home, there won’t be any expense involved. Also, tankless systems have a much longer life expectancy. A traditional hot water heater with a tank usually lasts around 10 years. A tankless setup can last as long as 30 years if it receives routine inspections and maintenance. There may be occasional repair needs as well.

Adding Insulation

You can more efficiently use the hot water in your home by insulating your pipes. The hot water that travels through your plumbing system won’t lose any heat before it arrives at the fixture you’re turning on. There are different types of insulation available. This includes foam tubing, which can be cut and fitted directly over your pipes. You can also have spray foam insulation blown into the areas around your pipes. This is a very effective and efficient form of insulation. We can also install fiberglass insulation around the opening where the pipes are located.

In addition, you can add insulation to your hot water heater to keep the water inside warmer for longer periods. There are often incentives that come along with adding insulation to your plumbing system. This makes it an affordable upgrade that can save you a lot of money on your utility bills.

How Our Experts Can Help

Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating can provide routine maintenance for your hot water heater, which can help boost its efficiency. We also offer a variety of other plumbing services, including drain cleaning, new plumbing installation, hydro jetting, pipe repair and replacement, and much more. We offer heating and cooling services, too, such as emergency repairs, routine maintenance, and new equipment installation. In addition, we address indoor air quality concerns, including duct cleanings and whole-house air purification.

Contact our team of dependable professionals at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating to schedule an appointment today.

How to Find and Fix Minor Pipe Leaks in Your Home

Written by Kevin on February 1, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

A leaky pipe is often a serious problem that needs to be fixed quickly, preferably with the help of a plumbing professional. Even a minor leak is a sign that something is wrong with your plumbing and needs to be addressed. However, it’s possible to find a small pipe leak and complete a quick fix until a plumber arrives.

Finding Minor Leaks

First, let’s discuss whether you have a leak. Many pipe leaks are hidden, so you might not know they’re there until you notice certain signs, such as water damage or mold growth. A plumbing service has several methods for detecting leaks that a layperson might miss, but there are a few ways to see if you have a hidden leak.

One way to see if there’s a pipe leak in your home is to conduct a water meter test. Simply turn off all the faucets in your home and look at your meter. If it’s still running, you have a leak somewhere in your home. Granted, this won’t help you find exactly where your leak is, but finding out is still a good first step. You can also test the water pressure in your home to see if it’s decreased at all. Low water pressure can be caused by things other than a pipe leak, but if you notice low water pressure when you fail the water meter test, you can be reasonably sure that you have a leak somewhere in your home.

Once you’ve determined that you have a leak, your next step is to find it. The most common culprits of water leaks are appliances that connect to your water line, such as washing machines or water heaters and plumbing fixtures like sinks or toilets. Leaks coming from these are relatively easy to catch, so that’s where you should begin your search.

When you check an electric appliance for leaks, unplug it first to avoid a shock. Then, check for water on the floor around the appliance and see if any water is dripping from where it is connected to your main water line. Plumbing fixtures such as sinks can generally be checked in the same way. Check the shutoff valves on your sinks and toilets to see if they are dripping, and check the plumbing underneath your kitchen and bathroom sinks to see if it’s leaking.

If you can’t find a leak in any of your plumbing fixtures but you still suspect that the leak is coming from your toilet, there is a way to see if this is the case. All you need to do is put a little bit of food coloring in the toilet tank overnight. If any of the food coloring shows up in the toilet bowl the next morning, the tank is leaking and needs to be fixed.

Looking for Other Signs of a Leak

If you have checked all of your plumbing fixtures, appliances, and exposed plumbing but you still can’t find a leak, you’ll need to look for evidence of hidden leaks. If the leak is bad enough, you might hear the sound of trickling or running water when you get close to it. The sound might even be heard in your walls if that’s where the leak is. You might also see dark water spots on your walls, floors, or ceiling. If these spots aren’t immediately apparent in any common areas, check your crawlspace, as it is far more likely to be affected by water damage from a pipe leak.

Fixing Minor Leaks

Minor pipe leaks can usually be fixed if caught before they get out of hand. However, many of these fixes are temporary, so you’ll still need to call a plumber to inspect your plumbing and find a more permanent pipe repair solution.

The easiest way to fix a pipe with a small leak is to patch the leak itself. This can be done with pipe clamps, epoxy putty, a pipe sleeve, or pipe tape. These are all available at most hardware stores. To use pipe clamps, fold the rubber inner sleeve of the clamp around the leaking section of the pipe, place the clamps over the sleeve, and tighten the clamps until no more water escapes the pipes. Pipe sleeves work pretty much the same way as pipe clamps, but they’re intended for use with PVC pipes and are really only useful to patch drain lines such as those under your kitchen or bathroom sinks.

If your damaged pipe is made of copper or galvanized steel, you may be able to patch the leak with some epoxy putty. To perform this task, first turn off the water to the leaking pipe. Prepare the putty according to the instructions on the package, and then apply it to the leak. Give the putty an hour to dry, and slowly turn the water back on to see if the leak has stopped. You can also wrap the damaged pipe in pipe tape to give it a little extra security.

Pipe tape can also be used on its own if you are patching a small pinhole leak. There are several types of tape that you can use, such as duct tape, Teflon tape, and electrical tape. The type that you need will depend on the pipe that you are patching up. Shut off the water supply to the pipe as you would if you were using epoxy putty and thoroughly dry the outside of the pipe. If the pipe is wet, the tape won’t form a tight seal around the leak. Wrap the tape tightly around the pipe and press it firmly against the pipe. Slowly turn the water back on and check for leaks.

Keep in mind that these are meant to be temporary solutions. They will stop minor leaks if used correctly, but you’ll need to call a plumber for a more permanent fix. This usually involves removing and replacing the damaged section of pipe.

Call Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating for Your Plumbing Needs

A leaky pipe is always a serious issue that can do a lot of damage to your home. If you suspect that you have a leak in your home, we at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating will be happy to assist you. We’ve provided expert plumbing services to homes in Hanover, MD and the surrounding areas for years, and we always prioritize the safety and satisfaction of our customers over everything else. In addition to leak detection and plumbing repair, we also offer new plumbing installation, drain cleaning, and garbage disposal repair services, among many others. You can also call us for heating and cooling installation, repair, and maintenance services.

Our team will be happy to assist you and find the best possible solution to your plumbing issues. For more information about our plumbing services or if you suspect that you have a leak in your home, don’t hesitate to call Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating in Hanover for help.

Master Sump Pump Fundamentals and Keep Your Basement Free of Winter Flooding

Written by Kevin on January 16, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Winter presents a different set of difficulties to homeowners than other seasons, and one of them is preventing flooding in your basement. While this can happen any time of year, snow accumulations and fluctuating temperatures bring the possibility of melting snow and ice leading to water intrusion into your home’s lowest level. If you want to protect your home from suffering water damage, a sump pump is an effective tool, especially during winter.

What Are Sump Pumps?

Sump pumps are devices that remove water from a home’s lowest point, usually a crawl space or basement. A specially designed pit called a sump basin is placed there, and the sump pump is installed to collect water seeping into the foundation of the home they’re intended to protect. Once the water gets to a certain level, the pump goes to work by directing water away from the house via a discharge pipe.

Sump pumps generally fall into two categories: pedestals and submersibles. Pedestal sump pumps are positioned above the basin, and the motor is on a pedestal. They’re easier to access for servicing, but they can be the louder of the two kinds when doing their work. These are often ideal for areas that don’t get as much water intrusion or homes with smaller basements.

Submersible pumps are installed inside the physical basin, and they can operate when underwater. They’re not as prone to overheating, and they’re usually quieter than a pedestal pump. These can be effective choices for homes with bigger basements.

Sump Pump Operations

A sump pump’s operation is a relatively simple process. Water comes into the sump basin either by natural groundwater flow or through drains. If the water level hits a particular height, it triggers a pressure sensor or float switch. This activates the sump pump operations, and it moves water from the basin and into a discharge pipe that redirects it away from the home’s foundation where it’s no longer a structural threat. When the water level drops low enough, the pump will automatically turn itself off.

Basement Risks in Winter

When many homeowners think of basement flooding, they might think of strong showers that happen in spring, summer, and fall, depending on their region. However, the winter season presents some unique threats of its own. Melting snow can turn into liquid water that seeps into your home’s foundation. Frozen pipes might burst and release substantial volumes of water into your home; if it doesn’t happen in your basement, gravity will take the water down there. Ice dams can form on your roof, causing water to leak into the home through walls and, again, down toward the basement.

Getting Your Sump Pump Ready for Winter

Preparing the sump pump in your home for the winter season involves a few steps you can take yourself, professional maintenance, and potential home improvements involving professionals from other industries. To start, check your pump visually for signs of wear or damage. Clean the basin of any debris that might result in clogs, make sure the intake screen is always clear, and check your discharge pipe for ice or blockages. Depending on your particular setup, you might be able to pour a bucket full of water into your sump basin to confirm it properly activates.

A plumber should inspect the sump pump at least once a year. This visit can include a more detailed inspection than you can do yourself, and they can optimize your sump pump for performance. Consult them about home improvements that might help the sump pump, such as using an outlet extension that prevents freezing or a grated cover. Ask them about insulating the discharge line and exposed pipes, and have them apply heat tape to crucial areas they deem necessary. Have them test the float switch for freedom of movement and proper pump activation. If your sump pump doesn’t have a check valve, consider having one installed to keep water from flowing back to the basin once it’s been pumped out already.

Winter storms often mean power outages, so ask about a backup generator or battery that keeps the sump pump operational when the local grid fails you. This might involve including an electrician in addition to your plumber. Make sure someone keeps debris and leaves clear on your property so that water doesn’t pool near the foundation. If necessary, have a professional grading project to slope the ground away from your foundation to minimize water accumulation.

Installing a dehumidifier can reduce basement humidity, helping prevent mildew and mold. Waterproof sealant can seal gaps and cracks in your home’s foundation. Always monitor weather conditions so that you know when snowfall and thawing happen.

Getting Professional Help

While a professional should inspect your system at least once a year for preventative maintenance, you should also know when to call one in as a response to the conditions of your home. Persistent water issues plaguing your home, even with a functional sump pump present, mean circumstances require professional diagnosis and resolution. Complicated sump pump repairs, such as fixing electrical issues or motor replacement, are not DIY tasks. Installing a new backup system or sump pump is also a professional task.

Sump pumps can last years with the right maintenance, but they don’t work forever. Know the common warning signs that replacement is looming. Frequent cycling happens when the pump keeps turning on and off over and over, usually due to malfunction or being undersized for the workload demanded of it. With proper care, many sump pumps last for seven years up to a decade, but they likely need replacement following that. Inconsistent performance, failure to activate, and excessive noises, such as rattling or grinding sounds, are all potential indicators of mechanical failure.

Peace of Mind

A reliable sump pump prevents basement flooding, protects against mold growth, reduces pressure applied to your home’s foundation, and gives you more peace of mind. A dry basement can be a strong selling point if you list your home on the market, and backup systems can offer additional security. Battery backups work during power outages and boost pumping capacity during inflow. Water-powered backup pumps use municipal system pressure to remove basin water if your local water supply is more reliable than the power grid. High-performance alarms can alert you when your pump malfunctions or water levels are rising. Some models can even send your smartphone notifications directly.

Enjoy Your Basement

Installing a sump pump is a crucial step for keeping your basement free of flooding, especially during the coldest and wettest seasons. When you know how your sump pump operates, do routine maintenance, and stay proactive about protecting your home, you can keep your basement secure and dry throughout the winter months. Getting your sump pump prepared for the seasonal challenges keeps your property safe and gives you peace of mind.

Ensuring your sump pump stays in peak condition helps you avoid disasters from striking. Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating provides HVAC and plumbing services to residents of Hanover and the surrounding Maryland communities. Contact Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating for all your home’s sump pump needs this winter or any season.

Are Tank or Tankless Water Heaters Better for Your Home?

Written by Kevin on January 8, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

Choosing the right water heating appliance for your home is an important investment. When making this major decision, it is crucial to consider things like energy efficiency, life span, size, and cost. A functional water heater is vital to the comfort of your home and your family.

Depending on the specific needs of your home, choosing between a tank or tankless water heater comes with a set of advantages and disadvantages. Although both options heat water, each method performs the job differently. Understanding the differences between these two heating options will help you decide which is the best water heater installation option to choose for your home.

What is a Tank Water Heater?

For decades, tank water heaters have been the established heating method in homes. Commonly known as a storage-tank water heater, this device uses an insulated cylindrical tank to store hot water. The inner components of the insulated tank heat water at the bottom of the tank using gas or electricity, much like how a stove heats up a pot of water to make it boil. The water inside the tank rises to the top and remains hot until all the water depletes. When fresh cold water enters the tank, the water activates the heating source. When the water reaches the desired temperature, the heating source deactivates.

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters, like tank water heaters, can use gas or electricity to heat water. However, without using a storage tank, this option delivers an on-demand heating method. Tankless water heaters use a heat exchanger to instantly raise the temperature of cold water as it passes through the exchanger. This type of heater is more energy efficient and eliminates heat loss associated with storage-tank heaters. Tankless water heaters only heat water when the tap is used or when an appliance requires hot water.

Benefits of Tank Water Heaters

To decide if a tank water heater is the right choice for your home, you must determine what size of tank will satisfy your property’s peak demand. To figure this number out, identify the gallon-per-minute flow rate, or GPM, of all appliances and fixtures in your home using hot water. Add up the GPM flow rates of each appliance and fixture using hot water to receive your peak demand figure.

Compare your home’s peak demand with the capacity limit listed on the water heater’s energy guide label to determine what size of tank is sufficient for your place. Tank water heaters are available in sizes ranging from 20- to 80-gallon tanks.

Tank water heaters offer several benefits over tankless heaters. These benefits include:

Less expensive up-front costs
Quickly heats large volumes of water
Easier to diagnose and repair
Simpler installation process

Although there are benefits to tank water heaters, there are also disadvantages to this heating method. These disadvantages include:

Short life span, up to 15 years
More expensive energy bills
Long wait time for heated water
May develop leaks

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

If you are considering a tankless water heater, you need to understand the distinct types. The two types of tankless water heaters include point-of-use heaters and whole-house heaters. Point-of-use heaters provide heated water to a specific area or appliance. Whole-house heaters deliver heated water to all appliances, showers, and sinks in the home.

Tankless water heaters also feature condensing and non-condensing options. Condensing water heaters reduce heat loss by reusing hot exhaust gas to raise the water temperature. A non-condensing water heater exhausts excess heat outdoors. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates tankless water heaters are up to 34% more efficient than tank heaters.

Tankless water heaters have notable advantages over tank heaters. These advantages include:

More efficient with reduced heat loss
Smaller size
Decreased leaking potential
Extended life span, up to 20 years

Though there are notable benefits to tankless water heaters, there are also disadvantages. These disadvantages include:

Expensive up-front costs
May require additional installations
Minor wait time for heated water
Corrosion of condenser components

Gas vs. Electric

Both tank and tankless water heaters have gas and electric options. Whether you select a gas or an electric option depends on your home. Gas options will require proper ventilation and gas line installation. Electric options are more energy efficient but have lower GPM flow rates.

To make the best decision, weigh the pros and cons of each option. If you require less maintenance and a simple installation, then a storage-tank water heater is the better option. If you desire longevity and cheaper utility bills, then a tankless water heater is your best choice.

Tankless water heaters are more expensive initially but make up for the costs over time with better energy efficiency.

Purchase Price

The choice you make between a tank heater and a tankless model may revolve around purchase price and installation costs. The price range of water heaters varies, but the heater’s maximum capacity plays a key role. Along with capacity, the price range of the heater is determined by the heater’s brand and size dimensions.

In most cases, tank water heaters are more affordable than tankless water heaters. The price of tank water heaters ranges from $300 to $1,500, with more expensive brands reaching upward of $2,000.

The price of tankless water heaters is cheaper than tank heaters. Some tankless heater models cost as low as $150, but some models cost upward of $2,000. One of the most expensive tankless water heaters uses solar power and costs upward of $6,000.

While point-of-use water heater installation is the cheapest option, tank water heater installation can range from $800 to $1,800. The national average for tankless water heater installation is $1,200 with national estimates as low as $300.

Maintenance Tips

For many homeowners, choosing the proper water heating solution depends on budget, installation process, and available housing space. However, willingness to perform preventative maintenance on the water heater also plays a role in selecting the right water heater option for your home. Tank and tankless water heaters require different forms of preventative maintenance.

Preventative maintenance of your water heater will help extend the heater’s life span. Tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years while tank water heaters can last between 10 and 15 years.

Manufacturers of tank water heaters recommend occasionally draining the storage tank to flush sediment. Regular anode rod replacement helps extend the life span of tank heaters by slowing down corrosion and rust buildup.

For tankless water heaters, occasionally flushing the heat exchanger helps prevent hard-water deposits. Cleaning the sediment filter also helps increase longevity.

Consult Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating for Water Heater Services

When you need maintenance or installation services for your water heater in Hanover, MD, reach out to Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating to speak with one of our professionals. With extensive training, our team provides the expertise to manage your tank or tankless water heater repair service. We also specialize in residential and commercial HVAC services within a 25-mile radius of Hanover. Give us a call or complete the online form to schedule a consultation with a member of our well-trained, licensed staff.

The Ultimate Guide to Insulating Your Pipes for Harsh Winters

Written by Kevin on January 1, 2025. Posted in Plumbing.

If you live in an area like Hanover, MD, that experiences freezing winter temperatures, it is very important to insulate the pipes in your home. When pipes freeze, they can severely damage a plumbing system, causing it to become completely unusable and costing a lot of money to fix. The good news is that insulating the pipes is a powerful aspect of plumbing maintenance that will do much more than just prevent them from freezing.

Why Does Insulating Your Pipes Matter?

When professionally performed, pipe insulation can make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. Whether your home has plastic or metal pipes, insulation serves as a critical barrier against cold temperatures and external damage.

Prevents Frozen Pipes

When the weather outside gets cold, the pipes in your home get cold as well. Any water running through the pipes can freeze if it gets cold enough. Once frozen, the water will expand, possibly busting the pipes and causing a plumbing emergency. By insulating the pipes, it becomes easier for them to maintain above-freezing temperatures, even during subzero weather. The pipes that are the most prone to freezing are those in places like basements, crawl spaces and attics.

Maintains Water Pressure

Frozen pipes have a direct effect on your household’s water supply. They can result in inconsistent water pressure throughout different parts of the house, which can be incredibly frustrating when trying to wash clothes, take a shower or clean dishes. With the right insulation in place, the pipes can maintain optimal flow at all times. As a result, everyone in your home will have access to consistent water pressure at all times. This type of reliability is key to minimizing disruptions to your daily routines.

Reduces Heat Loss

Most newer homes have a combination of hot and cold water pipes. Insulating the hot water pipes is essential to reducing heat loss as the water travels from the water heater to different faucets throughout the house. Uninsulated pipes can lose up to 30% of their heat, making the water heater work harder than necessary. This not only wears out the heater faster but also increases energy costs. Insulating the pipes is one of the easiest ways to slash the heat loss rate by as much as 80%.

Helps the Pipes Last Longer

In addition to helping the water heater last longer, insulation also helps the pipes last longer. When pipes are constantly freezing and unfreezing, they get weaker and are more likely to crack and corrode. Insulation shields them from extreme temperature fluctuations, reducing the overall wear and tear and extending their lifespan. The insulation also helps prevent condensation, which further helps with issues like rusting and corrosion.

What Are the Different Pipe Insulation Options?

There are a variety of pipe insulation options to choose from. The right choice depends on several factors, including your budget, the types of pipes in your home and any special design specs the house may have.

Foam Pipe Insulation

One of the most popular insulation options for homeowners is foam pipe insulation. It is extremely user-friendly, lightweight and flexible. This is mostly because it is made from polyethylene or rubber foam. It normally comes in pre-slit tubes that slide easily over the pipes. Pipe foam insulation provides excellent thermal protection and works best on pipes in basements and garages.

Pipe Heat Tape

Pipe heat tape is a special type of tape that adds warmth to the pipes you use it on. A lot of homeowners use this insulation option for pipes that are especially prone to freezing. This includes pipes located in outdoor areas and other exposed locations. Pipe heat tape plugs into an electrical outlet to receive power to generate heat. It’s fairly simple to wrap around the vulnerable pipes but can present major safety hazards if not installed professionally.

Fiberglass Pipe Wrap

If you need a more heavy-duty insulation option, you may want to consider fiberglass pipe wrap. This type is specifically designed to combat both extreme cold and hot temperatures. It has several layers of fiberglass along with a vapor barrier to keep the pipes protected from moisture problems. Fiberglass pipe wrap does offer superior protection for pipes, but it can also be more challenging to install.

Self-Sealing Insulation Tape

Many experts recommend using self-sealing insulation tape for pipes that are in hard-to-reach spaces. This may include pipes in crawl spaces or those in attics. Elbow joints are another type that can sometimes benefit from self-sealing insulation tape because of its ability to wrap around any pipe of any size or shape. A lot of professionals use it to seal joints and gaps in other types of insulation.

Reasons to Let a Professional Insulate Your Pipes

Insulating the pipes yourself may seem like a great way to save money, but the truth is, it will probably end up costing more. This is because effective pipe insulation requires certain skills and knowledge, so leave it to a professional plumber.

Proper Material Selection

One of the main reasons to let a professional insulate the pipes in your home is because they can ensure you use the right materials. With so many insulation options to choose from, it can be overwhelming trying to pick the best ones for your home. The professionals here at Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating have gone through extensive training to help them select the right insulation for each home they work on. They will consider the size of the pipes in your home, their location and the local climate.

Expert Installation

Simply adding insulation to the pipes is not going to suffice. A professional knows how to inspect the entire length of the pipes to ensure they are fully covered with insulation and have no gaps or exposed areas. Even a small exposed area can compromise the effectiveness of the insulation and ability to prevent frozen pipes. Adding insulation also comes with the risk of violating certain building codes. When you let a professional handle the job, you don’t have to worry about any compliance issues.

Pinpoint and Address Hidden Issues

Many experts that insulate pipes end up discovering underlying problems with plumbing systems, like leaks, corrosion and weak points. By addressing these issues during the insulation process, the plumbing system is much less likely to experience future problems. This is paramount to maintaining the full functionality of your home and avoiding costly repairs.

What to Expect

The expert will start by getting the area surrounding the pipes ready for insulation. To make sure everyone is safe, they may need to turn off the water. The technician will then snugly wrap the insulation over each pipe, making sure it doesn’t budge. They’ll continue the installation process on each vulnerable pipe throughout the home. The installation process can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes or longer depending on how many pipes there are to insulate.

The Pros Are Here to Help

Beltway Air Conditioning and Heating offers a variety of services to make your home more comfortable and energy efficient. We specialize in plumbing repairs as well as heat pump installations, bathroom plumbing, indoor air quality solutions and more. Call us now to schedule pipe insulation services for your home in Hanover.