Welch Plumbing
and Mechanical, Inc.
and Mechanical, Inc.
and Mechanical, Inc.
Money Saving tips
10 Tips That Can Save You Money!
- You can reduce your water heating costs by simply lowering the thermostat setting on your water heater. For each 10ºF reduction in water temperature, you can save between 3%–5% in energy costs.
- Reducing your water
temperature to 120ºF also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your
water heater and pipes. This helps your water heater last longer and
operate at its maximum efficiency.
- Most people never give their water heater a second thought — until it stops working. One thing you can do to extend the life of your water heater is to drain the tank annually to remove any sediment that may have built up inside it.
- In extremely cold weather,
pipes along a building's exterior walls may freeze and burst. To
help prevent this from happening, you may allow a faucet for
that pipe to drip slightly. This is applicable to both COLD and
HOT water lines. About 1 drip every 2 seconds should be
sufficient. Ensure that you leave the drain open so you do not over
flow the sink.
- Water softeners provide many benefits besides cleaner, softer feeling skin and hair. Soft water also preserves the life of all water using appliances such as ice makers, dishwashers, clothes washers and water heaters. Hard water wears appliances out quickly and requires more energy use as appliances do not work as well when they are corroded or clogged with mineral deposits.
- Soft water allows detergents
to rinse completely out of clothes leaving them feeling softer and
cleaner. Fabrics will last longer
and your whites will be whiter. Soft water also prevents hard water
rings in your bathtub and sinks, prevents mineral buildup on your faucets
and fixtures and leaves your glasses and silverware cleaner and spot free.
- High water pressure, which is
generally considered anything above 60 lbs., can be damaging. Water with
a strong "push" behind it, can erode or wear away many materials
and cause: water heaters to leak, banging water pipes, dripping faucets,
excessive dishwasher and clothes washer noise and breakdown, leaking water
pipes, and sprinkler systems to “mist”.
Heavy misting of the sprinkler heads can result in as much
as a 25% loss in water. Installing
a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) can eliminate high water pressure problems.
- Backflow is when the flow of
water in a pipeline reverses, causing contaminates and pollution into the drinking
water system. When the drinking water system is connected to
anything that could cause impurities to enter back into the drinking
water, such as a secondary water system, installation of a backflow
preventer is required. Plumbing codes and city ordinances require
back flow preventer's to be inspected and tested annually by a certified
Backflow Technician.
- In the case of a broken sink
pipe or toilet supply tube, it's best to turn off the water supply at the
valve that's closest to the problem. This will allow water to remain
on at the other fixtures in your home. If there isn't a valve
directly below the fixture, you can shut off the valve that controls the
flow to the entire house. This valve is normally located near where the
cold water pipe enters. In some cases, this valve is located on a
pipe right before the water heater. To turn it off, rotate the
handle clockwise.
- Protect yourself! Ask
questions! Get references! The Utah Division of
Consumer Protection lists "Home Improvement/Repair" as one
of its Top 10 Scams. There are many government and private
agencies working to protect you from fraudulent and unscrupulous
contractors. You can do your part by asking a few questions.
You can verify that Welch Plumbing and Mechanical, Inc. is a contractor
in good standing by going to Utah Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing
clicking on "verify license" and in "name search"
entering "Welch Plumbing and Mechanical".
Let us help you with your plumbing project!
Terry Welch
801-885-3604
