Serving all of Southern Maryland
Phone: (301) 481-9281 | 24 Hour Service
SO MD 24 HR HOT WATER REPAIR - ELECTRIC - GAS - TANKLESS - HOT WATER HEATER REPAIR & SERVICE
The goal of our Southern Maryland Hot Water Page is helping provide constant Hot Water to Home and Business Owners. We want to educate consumers on which water heating system is best suited for their needs We urge you to become involved in the selection process for your next water heater. We hope this page gives you the knowiedge you need to make the right decision for your So Md Home or Business Hot Water Needs. We are A.O.Smith, Bradford-White Water Heater warranty services provider we also provide maintenance,installation and repairs on all brands of water heaters including Rheem, Bradford White, AO Smith, American Water Heaters, Ruud, State Industries, Kenmore, Whirlpool, GE, Richmond, Polaris, Apollo, Bosch, Noritz, Paloma and Takagi.. We recommend that before you call us, write down your model and serial number from the rating plate on your tank. We can help determine if the tank is still under warranty.The warranty may cover the tank, in some cases it may cover the tank and parts and in some cases it may cover tanks, parts and labor. We can help you determine this if you have your model and serial number handy when you call for service. Basic 6 Year manufacturer's warranty covers tank leakage for 6 years, parts for 6 years and labor for 1 year.
Water Heater Model Numbers and Age:
Determine the age of the water heater by de-coding the serial number. Some manufacturers make it easy by incorporating the month and year built into the first 4 digits of the serial number All Hot Water Heaters have a Rating Plate that lists important data such as the model and serial numbers, manufacturing company's name, length of warranty, wattage of elements installed (on electric models), gallon capacity, input BTU rating (gas models), and more. You can dAO SMITH rating plates look a little different, but have all the same info. Their date de-coding is a little different.AO SMITH puts the year first (1991), and the month second (07, or JULY). It's a little harder to find the info on the AO SMITH plate, but it's all there!
American water heater rating plate American's format puts the year first, then the week the tank was built.
The Bradford White rating plate is the most difficult to decode. To find the age of a Bradford White tank, you have to understand their coding. The year of manufacture is noted by the first letter of the serial number, the month is the second letter. The decoding is based on the following format:
Year Decoder: G = 1990; H = 1991; J = 1992; K = 1993; L= 1994; M=1995; N= 1996; P= 1997; S= 1998; T= 1999; W= 2000; X= 2001; Y= 2002;Z=2003; A= 2004; B=2005; C=2006; D=2007 Month Decoder: A= JAN; B=FEB; C=MAR; D= APR; E=MAY; F= JUNE; G=JULY; H= AUG; J= SEPT; K=OCT; L= NOV; M= DEC.
Southern Maryland Homeowners can save energy and money by installing a new, more energy-efficient gas or electric tank type or tankless water heater in your home. The energy needed to heat your so md water can account for a significant part of your SO MD monthly utility bill. Southern Md residents can improve the efficiency and control the cost of water heater operating costs. Water heating operating costs are affected by the type of water heater installed in your residence or business, its efficiency, its temperature setting and the number of gallons of hot water consumed. Gas water heater costs account for about 16% of the average bill, while electric water heater costs account for about 28% of the average bill. Higher water heater temperature settings will increase operating costs.Gas Water Heaters produce hot water faster than electric models, so you'll have more hot water available for times of peak usage. Water Heater Efficiency is the amount of energy output as compared to energy input. For example, an 80% efficiency rating indicates that 80% of the So Md Utility costs goes directly into heating the water, while 20% is wasted.The higher efficiency rating will lower your southern maryland utilty bills.So Md Homeowners should also give some thought to their preferred fuel: solar, natural gas, propane, oil or electricity. It's important to calculate cost savings in terms of return on investment -- with investing in an energy-efficient water heater offering better returns than most other choices.
There are four measures of how a hot water tank operates:
- Efficiency rating
- Recovery rate assuming the temperature is raised by 90° F
- 1st Hour recovery rate
- Estimated operating cost
Efficiency rating is a measure of the percentage of heat transfer from the energy source to your water. Standard electric tanks range from 88-95% efficiency while standard gas tanks range from 55-65% efficiency. Electric tanks allow for higher energy transfer because electric tanks heat your water through heating elements which are submerged in the water, while gas fired tanks are heated from below through a gas burner.
Despite higher efficiency ratings, typically electric tanks are more expensive to operate as the cost of electricity needed to heat your water is higher than the cost of gas needed to heat your water. So, while heat transfer is more efficient in electric tanks, this does not mean that your overall energy usage is less in an electric tank. Because of this, many utility companies and governments often encourage residents to use gas heating if choosing between gas and electric. Regardless, the higher the efficiency rating of your tank, the less energy is wasted in heating the water.
Recovery rate is the amount of hot water your tank can produce in the space of one hour assuming a 90° F increase in water temparature. Electric tanks typically produced approximately 20-22 gallons of hot water in an hour while gas tanks 30-40 gallons in an hour. So, on average, gas tanks produce more hot water at a faster rate.
First Hour Rating:
First hour rating is simply the amount of hot water your tank can produce in one hour of continuous usage and is a function of the gallon capacity and the recovery rate. 50 gallon gas tanks will typically have a first hour rating in the range of 70-80 gallons; 50 gallon electric tanks will typically have a first hour rating around 60 gallons.
Estimated Operating Costs:
Estimated operating costs are typically provided by the manufacturer but are highly subject to energy prices. Assuming average usage and $0.086/kilowatt hour in electricity costs, your electric tank will cost around $400 to operate per year. Assuming $0.50/therm gas cost and average usage, your gas tank will cost you around $120-130 to operate per year.
Water Heaters Typically found in St. Marys County - Calvert County - Charles County Are Listed Below:
- Solar water heaters are currently the most energy-efficient option. You can offset costs by taking advantage of a federal tax credit of up to 30 percent of the cost and installation expense (with no price cap) until 2016. This tax credit applies to existing homes as well as new construction. Cost effectiveness depends much more on local fuel costs -- and additional state and local incentives -- than on your area's climate, with a payback period as short as three or four years in some areas. Solar water heaters can also last indefinitely since they can always be repaired. Often they're used in combination with a storage-tank water heater and/or tankless water heater, to compensate for a string of cloudy days.
- Storage-tank water heaters heat water in a tank where it's stored until needed. The most popular consumer option, storage-tank water heaters are the least expensive units to buy and install. On average, experts say they last 10 years (13 for gas models) before a tank typically leaks and the unit must be replaced. Tank-style water heaters can also be combined with other types for extra storage or as backups (since a very small tank plus a pump can keep a tankless water heater from wasting water or shooting out slugs of cold water). Gas storage-tank water heaters cost more than electric models initially and require more labor to install, but in most parts of the country these appliances cost only about a third as much to operate. Currently, a few gas storage-tank models meet Energy Star standards.
- Electric heat pump water heaters, also called hybrid water heaters, are the newest and most energy-efficient type of electric water heater. It's also important to note that this is the only type of electric water heater that qualifies for a federal tax credit of 30 percent of the installed cost (with a $1,500 cap), when added to an existing primary residence by the end of 2010. These units add a heat pump to a regular tank-style electric water heater (using the heat in ambient air -- as long as it's 45 degrees Fahrenheit or higher) to heat water. Consumers can buy a heat-pump add-on to use with the electric water heater they already have -- or buy a hybrid water heater that includes the heat pump. Experts say these appliances can be a good choice for all-electric homes.
- Gas condensing water heaters are the most efficient type of gas water heater, building a condenser into a gas storage-tank model or a gas tankless model. This type of water heater, compared with other gas water heaters, can cut the cost of heating water by 30 percent -- and the initial cost is partly offset by the 30 percent federal tax credit. This type of unit provides nonstop hot water at 3 to 5 gallons per minute, so consumers never run out of hot water.
- Tankless water heaters, often called on-demand water heaters, save energy by not heating water until it's needed. Since there's no storage tank, they also save space. Tankless water heaters last longer than tank-style water heaters (15 to 20 years), often carry longer warranties, and can be repaired easily. Gas tankless water heaters that meet Energy Star standards qualify for a 30 percent tax credit (up to $1,500) for 2010. Tankless water heaters can replace a tank-style water heater, but installation is easier and more cost-effective for new construction -- though the tax credit doesn't apply then. One thing to note: Even gas-fueled tankless heaters require an electrical outlet for operation, which means consumers won't have access to hot water in the event of a power failure.
- Point-of-use water heaters, also called instantaneous heaters, are small water heaters, tankless or semi-tankless, that provide instant hot water to a specific sink or shower. They're often used in conjunction with a bigger water heater of any of the other types, or in an out-building where consumers just need hot water. Point-of-use water heaters are especially useful for faucets or shower heads located far away from the main water heater and can minimize water use for those who don't have a recirculating system that keeps hot water flowing through the pipes all the time preventing cold water can flow through the line before the hot water reaches your preferred temperature.
Water Heaters vary in size Southern Maryland Home residential Gas and Electric Tank Type
Water Heaters most common sizes are:
The majority of homes have a 40 or 50 gallon Water Heater tank with the 50 gallon being the most common. Larger tanks such as a 66 or 80 gallon tank are usually found very large homes with soaking tub or jacuzzi. Smaller Water Heater Tanks are used for special applications such as an under sink water heater (sometimes called a lowboy) and very small 2, 4, 6, 20, 25, 20 and 30 gallon electric Water Heaters which are used as supplements to your water heater system or used as application-specific tanks. Tanks of this size can be useful for a single sink or in same cases are used as an additional heater for a recirculation system. Tanks of this size, however, are typically only available in electric powered and not gas powered.
Average Southern Maryland Hot Water Usage listed below :
Automatic clothes washer 17-25 gallons per load
Automatic dishwasher 8-15 gallons per load
Hand dish washing 5-30 gallons per load
Bath 30 gallons-a standard bathtub holds about 35 gallons, soaking tubs hold between 45-80 gallons.
Shower (low flow) 2.5 gallons per minute
Shaving 1-10 gallons**
*5 gal. – filling sink; 30 gal. – water running
**1 gal. – filling sink; 10 gal. – water running
Average Percentage Of Southern Maryland Hot Water Usage listed below :
Clothes Washer 26%
On July 1, 2003 a voluntary safety standard for residential water heaters sold in the United States went into effect.This voluntary safety standard for water heaters is American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z21.10.1 It 2002.requires that all new ,conventionally aspirated/atmospheric draft 30, 40, and 50 gallon capacity gas fired water heaters built and sold by water heater manufacturers who choose to comply with ANSI standards must incorporate specific design features that make them resistant to igniting flammable vapors outside of the water heater.These gas fired water heaters installed in southern maryland homes are referred to as “Flammable Vapor Ignition Resistant” or FVIR water heaters. This standard became effective for 30, 40, and 50 gallon capacity gas fired induced draft water heaters models on July 1, 2004 and will apply to large gallon capacity water heaters and water heaters for use in manufactured homes on July1,2005.If flammable vapors such those produced by gasoline, paint thinner, or other volatile materials are present, this design permits them to be drawn into the combustion chamber where they can ignite and flash back out of thecombustion chamber, causing explosive combustion of the vapors in the space where the water heater is located.According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are approximately 800 residential flashback fires each year in the United States resulting in 5 deaths and 130 injuries.
Common Terminology For All Hot Water Heaters Listed Below:
•Dip tube - Water enters the water heater through the dip tube at the top of the tank and travels to the tank bottom where it's then heated.
•Shut-off valve -The shut-off valve stops water flow into the water heater. It's a separate component from the heater located outside and above the unit.
•Heat-out pipe -Suspended toward the top of the tank's interior, the heat-out pipe allows the hot water to exit the water heater.
•Thermostat - This is a thermometer- and temperature-control device. Some electric water heaters have a separate thermostat for each element.
•Heating mechanism - Electric water heaters have heating elements inside the tank to heat the water. Gas water heaters use a burner and chimney system instead.
•Drain valve - Located near the bottom of the exterior housing, the drain valve makes it easy to empty the tank to replace the elements, remove sediment or move the tank to another location.
•Pressure relief valve - This safety device keeps the pressure inside the water heater within safe limits.
•Sacrificial anode rod - Made of magnesium or aluminum with a steel core, the sacrificial anode rod is suspended in the water heater tank to help retard corrosion.
Whenever someone turns on a hot water faucet in your So Md Home, heated water is drawn from the top of the tank and is replaced by cold water that is carried to the bottom through the dip tube. When the water temperature drops, a thermostat activates the heat source (a burner in a gas model -- two heating elements is an electric.) A gas heater has a flue running up the center and out the top to vent deadly gasses. An electric heater needs no venting. In both, an anti-corrosion anode attracts corrosion that would otherwise attack the tank's walls.
A water heater's thermostat controls the temperature of the water inside the tank. Normally, you can set the temperature anywhere between 120 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 82 degrees Celsius). The water temperature setting recommended by most manufacturers is between 120 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit (49 to 60 degrees Celsius). This is hot enough to be efficient for household use, but not so hot that it can pose a scalding risk. If there are children living in your home, it's wise to stay closer to the lower end of the range.Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. That should be plenty comfortable. Each 10 degree reduction in the water temperature setting cuts the heater's energy consumption by 3-5 percent.
A hybrid water heater combines tank type and tankless technology in one unit. A hybrid unit offers the best of both worlds: continuous hot water capabilities through high efficiency and the ability for homeowners to use multiple hot water-utilizing appliances simultaneously. Hybrid units offer optimum performance as they combine the positive attributes of both tank type and tankless water heaters. For many years consumers only had one option when it came to choosing a water heater, a standard tank type (storage) unit. This unit delivered hot water, but could not provide the promise of endless hot water for extremely high, multi-appliance demand. In recent years, tankless units have been introduced to the market with the promise to deliver continuous hot water, but also have fallen short meeting the demand of multiple appliances running simultaneously. Hybrid water heaters meet the needs of a high usage with multiple appliances and offers continuous hot water.
Hybrid units offer:
Continuous hot water
Offers back-to-back showers without running out of hot water.
Peak demand capacity
Allows for reserve hot water when multiple appliances are used at once.
No hot water delivery issues
When multiple appliances are used, you will not see spikes in water temperature.
Hybrid Technology is the Choice for the Homeowners Who Have:
Larger homes with multiple bathrooms and water-utilizing appliances
Multiple family members
High hot water usage habits
Tankless Water Heaters Offer:
Since a tankless unit heats on demand, hot water will not run out. This is especially useful for large families or for homes with larger hot water demands - for example homes with a soaking tub or spa system are often good candidates for a tankless system. If you are considering upsizing your tank from 40 or 50 gallons to 66 or 80 gallons, we strongly recommend you also consider a tankless hot water heater.Tankless water heaters are not able to give you instant hot water when you turn on the faucet, but they do give you an endless stream of hot water once it reaches the point of use.While traditional hot water tanks are compared based on gallon capacity, recovery rate and first hour rating, tankless hot water heaters are compared based on flow rate. As long as the home uses hot water at a flow rate below the tankless heater's maximum flow rate, there is no "recovery"; first hour usage is for practical purposes unlimited. Flow rates for residential tankless hot water heaters are measured in gallons per minute based on a given heat rise (typically 25 or 50 degrees) and range from 4 gallons per minute to 8 gallons per minute. A unit that heats 4 gallons per minute can handle a shower plus one appliance operating at the same time. A unit with over 7 gallons per minute can typically handle two showers and a large appliance. Important to note: Tankless units do not provide “instant hot water” as hot water still takes time to flow from the unit to the tap or shower.The footprint of tankless units is much smaller freeing up additional space in the home or garage.
The most efficient traditional gas tanks today currently operate at 62% efficiency. Efficiency is a measure of heat transfer from the energy source to your hot water. Tankless units typically operate at over 80% energy efficiency. Tankless units further save energy because water is not constantly heated, cooled and re-heated within a storage tank. And while efficiency for traditional tanks can decline over time as sediment builds up in the unit, tankless hot water heaters maintain their efficiency over time. Annual energy costs for heating water in the typical home range from $150-400 per year but this varies widely.
EMERGENCY SHUT OFF PROCEDURES
Electric Water Heaters:
If you have an electric tank and you are experiencing difficulty, we recommend that you shut off the power at the breaker or wall switch.
Gas (or Propane) Water Heaters:
If you have a gas water heater and you are experiencing difficulty, we recommend that you shut off the gas supply.There should be a dedicated gas shut off valve on the gas line leading to the tank. If you have a Power Vented Water Heater Unplug the power cord.
Turn off the gas or electricity.
Close the cold water valve.
Attach a hose to the drain valve, to route water into a floor drain or outdoors.
Open the drain valve and open one hot water faucet somewhere in the house to let in air.
When all water has drained, turn the cold water valve on and off until the water from the drain looks clear.
Close the drain valve and the hot water faucet, open the cold water valve and restore power.
Repair and Replace All Brands Hot Water Heaters - Southern Maryland:
Water Heater Clean and Inspect - Hollywood,Md
Hot Water Heater Controls - Mechanicsville,Md
Hot Water Heating Systems - Charlotte Hall,Md
Oil Hot Water Heater - Lusby,Md
Water Heater Gas Leak - California,Md
Tankless Water Heater Repair - Great Mills,Md
Electric Tankless Water Heater Repair - Leonardtown,Md
Leaking Water Heater - La Plata,Md
Repair and Replace Hot Water Heater - Waldorf,Md
Repair Natural Gas Water Heater - St. Charles,Md
Install Gas Water Heater - Prince Frederick,Md
Repair Power Vented Water Heater - Great Mills,Md
Heat Pump Water Heater Repair - Hughesville,Md
Hot Water Testing - Leonardtown,Md
Test Propane Water Heater - White Plains,Md
Hot Water Heater Not Lighting - Mechanicsville,Md
Smelly Hot Water - Hollywood,Md
Hybrid Water Heater Repair and Install - California,Md
Install Water Heater Elements - Hughesville,Md
Hot Water Boiler Repair - California,Md
Install 50 Gallon Hot Water Heater - Waldorf,Md
Water Heater Pilot Light - Hollywood,Md
No Hot Water - Southern Maryland
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance - California,Md
Electric - Gas Water Heater Repair Install - Waldorf,Md
Hot Water Mixing Valve - Great Mills,Md
Gas Boiler Repair - Install - Mechanicsville,Md
State - Takagi- Kenmore - Rheem - Apollo - Bradford White - Ruud - Lochinvar - American - Mor-Flo - Rinnia - Jetglas - General Electric - Bosch - A.O. Smith
Water Heaters Serviced Daily In The Following Cities:
20601 Waldorf, MD - 20602 Waldorf, MD - 20603 Waldorf, MD - 20607 Accokeek, MD - 20611 Bel Alton, MD - 20612 Benedict, MD - 20613 Brandywine, MD - 20616 Bryans Road, MD - 20617 Bryantown, MD - 20622 Charlotte Hall, MD - 20625 Cobb Island, MD - 20632 Faulkner, MD - 20637 Hughesville, MD - 20640 Indian Head, MD - 20645 Issue, MD -20646 La Plata, MD - 20658 Marbury, MD - 20662 Nanjemoy, MD -20664 Newburg, MD -20675 Pomfret, MD - 20677 Port Tobacco, MD -20693 Welcome, MD - 20695 White Plains, MD 20606 Abell, MD - 20609 Avenue, MD - 20618 Bushwood, MD - 20619 California, MD - 20620 Callaway, MD - 20621 Chaptico, MD - 20622 Charlotte Hall, MD - 20624 Clements, MD - 20626 Colton's Point, MD - 20627 Compton, MD - 20628 Dameron, MD - 20630 Drayden, MD - 20634 Great Mills, MD - 20635 Helen, MD - 20636 Hollywood, MD - 20650 Leonardtown, MD - 20653 Lexington Park, MD - 20656 Loveville, MD - 20659 Mechanicsville, MD - 20660 Morganza, MD - 20667 Park Hall, MD - 20670 Patuxent River, MD - 20674 Piney Point, MD - 20680 Ridge, MD - 20684 St. Inigoes, MD - 20686 St. Mary's City, MD - 20687 Scotland, MD - 20690 Tall Timbers, MD - 20692 Valley Lee, MD - 20615 Broomes Island, MD - 20629 Dowell, MD - 20639 Huntingtown, MD - 20657 Lusby, MD - 20676 Port Republic, MD - 20678 Prince Frederick, MD - 20685 Saint Leonard, MD - 20688 Solomons, MD - 20689 Sunderland, MD - 20714 North Beach, MD - 20732 Chesapeake Beach, MD - 20736 Owings, MD - 20754 Dunkirk, MD - 20758 Friendship, MD