Water Heaters | Tank vs. Tankless Water Heaters
Household appliances are always becoming more sophisticated and efficient. If your old water heater is on its way out, you should use this opportunity to install an Energy Star-rated model. You don't have to install a tankless water heater to enjoy energy savings, though tankless models are generally more efficient than conventional tank models. For help deciding which water heater best serves your needs, let the team at American Air Systems provide some advice.
Traditional Tank Water Heaters
How They Work
Traditional storage water heaters have been around for a long time and are still the most popular selling models. After cold water from the water supply enters the tank, a heating element heats the water and keeps it hot until it's ready for use. As hot water exits through the top of the tank, cold water enters through the bottom.
Pros
Traditional tank water heaters only cost a few hundred dollars and most homes are designed to accommodate these models. Storage heaters can also be adapted to use solar power.
Cons
A traditional tank water heater uses energy all the time to keep water hot, which can drive up your energy bill. A tank model can also run out of hot water after heavy use and may take a while to replenish.
Tankless Water Heaters
How They Work
Unlike a storage water heater, a tankless unit heats water on demand with a sophisticated heating element. The moment you turn on the shower or start your dishwasher, water enters the tankless unit, gets heated to the proper temperature, and travels to the appropriate fixture or appliance.
Pros
Instead of heating water 24/7, a tankless unit only operates when you need hot water. This can provide energy savings of 30 to 45%. Tankless units also provide a virtually endless supply of hot water and are a lot more compact than tank units.
Cons
Installing a tankless water heater is a significantly larger initial investment than installing a conventional model. Also, some tankless units have difficulty supplying hot water to two or more fixtures at once.
Common Water Heater Problems
Like all other appliances, your water heater will eventually fail. Here are a few issues to watch out for:
Water Leak
It's important to inspect your water heater for leaks as often as you can. A leak can compromise your hot water supply and cause water damage in your home.
No Hot Water
There are a number of issues that could affect your hot water supply. If your problem isn't solved by reigniting the pilot light or restoring power, call a repair technician.
Discolored Water
Most water heaters have an anode rod, which is designed to prevent rust. If rust-colored water starts coming out of your tap, you'll need to get the anode rod replaced.
Signs It's Time for a Replacement
If your water heater displays any of the above problems, you may need to replace it. Here are a few more signs that it's time for a new unit.
Old Age
The average storage water heater should last between 10 and 15 years. If your water heater is older than 15 years when it breaks down, consider replacing it.
High Energy Bill
Your water heater is one of the most energy-hungry appliances in your home. If you see a significant jump in your energy bill, a malfunctioning water heater could be the culprit.
Costly Repairs
There will come a time when it's more prudent to replace your water heater rather than repair it. If your system is fairly old and your technician quotes you a high repair bill, you might start looking at replacements.
Brands
Generators
American Air Systems provides repair, maintenance and sales of residential generators.
Maintenance
Generator maintenance is critical in preventing downtime and is performed according to manufacturer recommended intervals.
We provide maintenance for the following:
Annual Inspection Plan
Our annual inspection plan is a preventative maintenance diagnostic that evaluates the condition of your power generator. All plans may be customized to fit your needs. We visually inspect the fluid levels, battery condition, air inlet piping, exhaust system, belts and hoses. We also check for leaks and broken parts. We will run your generator to determine fluid pressure, circulation and condition, airflow, temperature, vibrations, noises and charging system output. We check the frequency, voltage and grease the generator end bearing, as required by the manufacturer.
Humidifiers | Humidifiers For Your Home
Controlling your indoor humidity is very important. In many cases, the air inside a home is drier than a desert. Dry, indoor air is often the culprit for such common problems as itchy or cracked skin, eye irritation, dry nasal passages and damaged home furnishings. Dry indoor air can also increase the possibility of catching cold and flu viruses and can reduce the efficiency and effectiveness of your heating system.
Maintaining ideal humidity in your home can be the key to relief from dry nasal passages, static electricity, and dry, itchy skin. Proper humidity control is also important for minimizing the growth of bacteria, molds, viruses and dust mites.
We have the solution for dry indoor air. We offer several different humidifiers, each designed to enhance your comfort by adding moisture to dry, indoor air.
As warm, dry air passes through the humidifier pad, moisture is absorbed into the air and distributed throughout your home for a more comfortable indoor environment.
How expensive are humidifiers?
Actually, HUMIDIFIERS ARE FREE. They will pay for themselves in a couple of seasons from energy savings. Though you may not notice it, your body is constantly perspiring. When the air is dry, your perspiration evaporates instantly, creating a cooling effect. This is why rubbing alcohol feels cool when applied to the skin, even though the rubbing alcohol is kept at room temperature. Thus, proper levels of humidity result in a more comfortable home, at a lower thermostat setting. Simply lowering your thermostat a degree or two will pay for the cost of the humidifier in a couple of seasons. It doesn’t take much.
How Do Automatic Humidifiers Work?
We will mount a humidistat inside your home and a humidifier on your furnace or duct system. You dial in your desired level of humidity (i.e. 30% to 40% is recommended), the humidistat measures the humidity in the surrounding air and adds moisture if the humidity is low. It’s simple, efficient, and automatic. Comfort has never been so easy! Ask for your appointment to have a humidifier installed today!
Aprilaire Whole House Humidifiers
Aprilaire Whole-House Humidifiers were introduced in 1954 as the first evaporative,
flow-through design humidifiers. Since then, Aprilaire humidifiers have been imitated—but never duplicated—and continue to lead the way in whole-house humidification systems.
Thermostats | Thermostat Installation
Thermostats regulate the temperature of air conditioning and heating systems so your home or office environment maintains a desired, comfortable temperature. This is accomplished by regulating the flow of heat energy into and out of the system to create a satisfying environment for you and your family. The thermostat switches your heating and cooling systems on and off based on keeping a constant temperature with minimal variation.
Today's needs for heating and cooling, in addition to a desire for energy efficiency in all products, lead to older styles of thermostats not providing adequate control. Most newer thermostat models are programmable, so homeowners can program preset temperature designations for various times of day and different days of the week. Less energy is used, with more money saved, because thermostats can be set to a lower threshold when the home is not occupied, like when residents are at work and school.
Location is the Key
Locate thermostats away from cooling and heating devices but exposed to the airflow within the space to be heated and cooled. If rooms are open to a central hallway, a single-zone thermostat may be mounted here to optimally register regulated temperatures. Try not to close doors between the thermostat and the space to be controlled for the most accurate temperature regulation of a space.
Professional HVAC Installation
Locating the thermostat too close to the source of controlled air, such as a register or air vent, can lead to the system cycling frequently. These frequent starts and stops, in some cases, can lead to a shortened lifespan for your air conditioning and heating systems. Installing a multiple zone system is a source of vast energy savings, allowing for the individual control of separate spaces. Occupied rooms can be controlled while unoccupied areas can be turned off. Our informed technicians can assist in determining the approximate cost and potential energy savings of such an installation.