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How A Water Softener System Works

If you live in Phoenix, Arizona, you’ve likely been told that you should have a water softener system in your home. In fact, about 1 out of 4 homes have water softener systems in the Phoenix area. So what do water softeners do? A water softener does just what it sounds like, it softens water. To understand what that means, first you’ll need to understand what hard water is and why so many people want to soften it.

Hard water is water that has a high concentration of minerals. While water is in the ground it picks up soluble bits of whatever it passes through. This could also include contaminates but is usually just minerals from the earth.  Of the minerals that water picks up, the ones to be concerned about are calcium and magnesium as they affect the ability of water to function in our homes and are what cause water to be “hard”.

When Should You Replace A Water Softener System

One of the more annoying effects of hard water is that it causes soaps and detergents to lose some effectiveness. Normally soap would dissolve completely but with hard water it combines with the minerals and forms a coagulated soap curd. This results in needing to use more soap while the sticky insoluble curd hangs around, clinging to skin, shower walls, hair, etc.

Hard water can also have a negative effect on your laundry. While washing your laundry with hard water, the aforementioned soap curds can work their way into your clothing, causing dirt to be trapped in the fibers. This can roughen the fabric and cause it to feel stiff.

Not only does hard water affect the washing process but the insoluble soap deposits leave spots on everything you wash while also leaving a soap film that builds up on your bath and shower.

Lastly, one of the more costly effects of hard water is what it can do to your plumbing system. As calcium and magnesium deposits build up in pipes, it reduces the flow of water to taps and appliances. This build up in the pipes can also cause serious problems with water heaters, causing them to lose efficiency and reduce the life of the heater.

How a Water Softener Works

The basic answer behind what a water softener does and how it works is that it removes the calcium, magnesium and other contaminates out of your water.

Most water softeners are simply a mechanical appliance in your home that is connected to your water supply system. They work by replacing the unwanted minerals in your water with something else, usually sodium. This process is called ion exchange. The result: softer water.

So why do so many homes in Phoenix use water softeners? Well, that’s because hard water is much more common in desert areas. Phoenix is actually one of the top 5 metropolises in the U.S. with the hardest water. That’s why water softeners are so common in the Phoenix area and why you’ve likely been told you should use one.

The next question you may be asking is, do I really need a water softener? Many people argue that the benefits of softer water don’t outweigh the high costs of a water softener while others argue the opposite. To help you make an educated decision and better understand the pros and cons of installing a water softener, we will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of a water softener in our next article.

Most conventional water heaters are fairly simple. They work by allowing cold water into the tank that is then heated using an electric element or gas burner. To regulate the temperature, a thermostat is used to keep the water between 120 to 140 degrees. As the water heats, pressure builds inside the tank. The pressure then sends hot water out of the faucet when you turn the tap on.

Since water heaters contain very few parts, only a few things can go wrong:

• Pilot light on gas water heater flickers out.
• Circuit breaker for an electric heater trips.
• Burner or heating element fails.
• Thermostat breaks.
• Valve sticks.

Repairing or replacing any of those parts is relatively inexpensive. Usually a plumber can do the job for $150 to $300. But if the tank is more than 10 years old, or if it’s leaking, a new water tank is likely in your future. If you have any of these issues or need a new water heater, we can help.

Water Heater Services in Anthem

Peace of Mind Plumbing provides professional water heater repair service in Anthem, Arizona and can quickly resolve the problem at an affordable price. We provide all of the following services for water heaters:

• Water Heater Repair
• Water Heater Replacement
• Water Heater Installations
• Instant Hot Water Systems
• Regular Water Heater Maintenance

About Peace of Mind Plumbing

We are a local, family owned and operated company that provides certified and licensed plumbing services in the Anthem area. With over 18 years of experience and a stellar reputation, we can get the job done right the first time.

Give us a call now for emergency service (480-304-2074) or schedule an in-home evaluation.

Scottsdale Water Heater Repairs

Having hot water in your home has become an essential part of our everyday lives. Even with our 115 degree summers in Scottsdale, no one wants to go without hot water. Old or under-maintained water heaters can abruptly stop working or, even worse, start to leak. If you’re having problems with your water heater or just need to replace an old model, Peace of Mind Plumbing can help.

We offer affordable water heater repair, replacement and installation service in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our licensed and certified plumber can quickly assess the problem and get you back up and running in no time.

Our emergency repair service also means you won’t have to go without hot water for an extended period of time.

We can service any of the following:

• Standard Water Heater with Tank
• Tankless Water Heaters
• Instant Hot Water Systems

We service all major brands and manufacturers and can ensure you get the best price possible.

Scottsdale Water Heater Replacement

If your water heater is more than 10 years old and has not been maintained on a regular basis, you may be risking a leak. Old heaters are often prone to leaking which can cause widespread damage to your home and costly repairs. For those living in multistory buildings or condos, if you have a water heater upstairs a leak can flood the floor below and cause further damage.

We offer regular maintenance service and can ensure your water heater continues to work well and for an extended period of time. Don’t risk flooding your home, give us a call for water heater inspection and maintenance instead.

For the best plumbing service in Scottsdale, give us a call today for a free estimate!

Why Choose A Traditional Water Heater

Traditional water heaters have long been the preferred option in American homes and continue to be. They are inexpensive and reliable and their simplicity makes them the ideal option when wanting to avoid hassle or repairs. Tankless water heaters, however, have started to become more popular in the US over the recent years and many homeowners are tasked with the difficult decision of which to choose.

If you have found yourself debating whether you should stick to the traditional water heater with a tank or whether you should switch to a tankless water heater, we’ve outlined some comparisons between the two to help you make an informed decision. There are pros and cons to each and it’s importation to weigh your options and determine which would better suit your home based on these comparisons.

Why Choose A Tankless Water Heater

There are two ways that price can be factored into the comparison between a standard tank water heater and a tankless. First, there is the initial cost of purchase and installation, then, second, there is the cost of use.

Cost of Unit

• A central tankless water heater providing hot water for an entire house can cost $800-$3,000 or more, depending on GPM (Gallons Per Minute) capacity and whether it’s gas or electric, plus features like a safety temperature lock or remote control.
• Traditional water heaters can range in unit price between $500 and $1500 depending on capacity and model.

Cost of Installation

• Because tankless water heaters require a 220V/240V electrical outlet or larger gas pipes than found in an average home plus a stainless steel ventilation system, installation can add $1,000-$3,000or more, bringing total costs to $1,800-$4,500.
• Since most houses are already retrofitted for a traditional water heater, the installation costs are usually quite low and typically average below $1,000.

Energy Savings

• According to gov: For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand/tankless water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters. They can be 8%–14% more energy efficient for homes that use a lot of hot water — around 86 gallons per day.

When you consider the energy savings as cost savings, eventually you would recoup the extra costs from unit purchase and installation of a tankless water heater. That, however, could take several years before it starts saving you money. For many people who use tankless water heaters, cost isn’t a primary factor as there isn’t a large difference in total cost when you factor in energy savings versus initial costs.

Energy Efficiency

As discussed in the previous section under cost comparison, a tankless water heater could reduce energy use by 8% to 35% depending on the amount of water used. While the cost saving of the more energy efficient option barely makes up for the initial cost difference, many environmentally-conscious individuals prefer tankless water heaters just for the sole fact that it is more eco-friendly.

Maintenance & Repairs

Tankless heaters are more complex and may require more, or more frequent, repairs. The cost of repairs can be higher as well. Traditional water heaters do have the benefit of being very simple and can usually be easily repaired.

This may seem like a win for standard water heaters however, while they don’t need as much maintenance or repairs, they usually do not last as long as a tankless water heater. On average, a standard water heater will last about 10 to 13 years whereas a tankless water heater is estimated to last up to 20 years.

Other Considerations

For many homeowners, the main thought process when choosing between a traditional water heater and a tankless is as simple as determining which will cost less or save the most money. There are, however, a few other things to consider:

• Available space – While storage tank water heaters can take up a considerable amount of space, tankless heaters can be stored in small/tight spaces, giving you more storage space.
• Tankless water heaters may take longer for the water to get hot – Since a traditional water heater has pre-heated water, it is already hot and ready to go when you need it, whereas a tankless heater may take a couple of minutes to heat up when first turned on (there are, however, tankless water heaters that provide instantaneous hot water).
• Traditional Water Heaters can cause serious water damage with a leak – Depending on the size of the tank, a standard water heater could hold between 50 to 100 gallons of water. If it were to start leaking, it could cause serious water damage with that amount of water. If your water heater is on the second floor, the damage could spread to the floor below costing you thousands in water damage repairs.
• Tankless can provide an “endless” supply of hot water – Unlike a traditional water heater, the tankless water heater can continue to heat water as you need it and, therefore, provides and “endless” supply of hot water. If you have several people who use the hot water at the same time, you may run into instances where, after a couple of showers, you run out of hot water and are forced to take a cold shower. With a tankless water heater, you can avoid this problem.

So, when determining which option is right for you, there are certainly many things to consider. There are many pros and cons to each and there isn’t the best option for everyone, it just depends on your needs and preferences.

For repairs or installation of traditional or tankless water heaters in Phoenix, Arizona, contact Peace of Mind Plumbing for certified plumbing service.

Water heaters are one of the most often used appliances in your home – and one that most people can’t stand to live without. What is worse than waking up in the morning, ready to take a hot shower to start your day, only to find out that you don’t have any hot water? A broken water heater can quickly ruin your entire day.

Since water heaters are used so often, they are more prone to problems caused by typical wear and tear. And, unless you perform regular maintenance, you will eventually have problems. That’s where we come in.

Professional Water Heater Repair or Replacement in Glendale

Peace of Mind Plumbing can quickly and professionally repair your water heater and restore your “Peace of Mind”. As a licensed and certified plumber with over a decade of experience, we can quickly identify the problem and resolve the issue without taking up your time or breaking the bank.

Why Choose Us

• Family Owned & Operated
• Local Business – Serving the Valley for Over 10 Years
• Small Business – Small Prices
• Certified, Licensed & Insured

As a small local business we are able to provide competitive pricing that is usually lower than most large plumbing or service companies. Additionally, we are a family business and all plumbers have over a decade of hands-on experience – as opposed to most large companies who mainly send out plumbers with little-to-no experience in order to improve their bottom line.

Don’t fall prey to an inexperienced, overly priced plumber who may cause more problems than he resolved. The Peace of Mind Plumber will get the job done better and at a lower price.

For water heater repair or replacement in Glendale, call Peace of Mind Plumbing today!