Q: Our old water heater is nearing the end of its life and seems to be leaking. We’re thinking about replacing it with a smaller tankless system, but the price tag is higher. Is it worth it?

A: You can tell it’s time to replace an older tank-based system if you’ve been running out of hot water during showers or have to wait forever to even get hot water. It’s not unheard of to experience leaking pipes and fixtures, poor water quality and mechanical issues toward the end of a tank’s life. Generally, tank-based water-heating systems should be replaced every 10–12 years.

If you find that you’re in the market for a new water heater, it might be time to go tankless. It may cost more upfront, but it will save you money in the long run. And there are other benefits to tankless water-heating systems, as well.

They perform better. Tankless heaters outperform tank-based systems in almost every way. A standard water heater that uses natural gas runs at 6%0–65% efficiency. That’s considerably less efficient than non-condensing tankless water heaters, which run at 85%–90%, or condensing tankless models, which run at 92%–96% efficiency. 

Tankless systems don’t heat as much water, but the water will stay hot as long as you need it. With a traditional water heater, a household of three can take three 7- to 10-minute showers before the water goes cold. With a tankless water heater, they can take whatever length they’d like, and no one will get left in the cold.

One of the best features of tankless units is modulating heating that increases or decreases based on demand. Most have multiple burners that will ramp up the heat as needed. For example, a bathroom faucet running by itself only needs to use one burner, while a shower and washing machine running concurrently will use three or four.

They save space. Not only do tankless systems offer hot water quickly and efficiently, but their smaller size means they can be installed on a wall. Tank-based systems are bulky and have to be installed on the floor. If you live in a smaller home, especially a townhome or condo, tankless systems are highly recommended.

They save money and energy. If you’re interested in reducing your environmental impact, going tankless is a no-brainer. Tankless systems require less energy, resulting in lower utility bills. They also pollute less and require fewer metal and plastic materials to manufacture.

Tankless heaters do have some downsides, such as requiring more complex maintenance and repairs than tank-based systems. But they come with 12-year warranties — double the standard six-year warranty for tank-based systems — which reduces long-term costs as the system ages.

If you’re unsure if you’re ready for a new water heater or if a tankless system is right for your home, contact a certified plumber to assess your current setup. They’ll be able to make a site visit, offer recommendations and install whichever system you decide to purchase.

Mike Morris is a certified residential plumber with South West Plumbing, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’s more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Expert advice about what to do if you find a frozen pipe in your home and ways to prevent the occurrence in the future.

By Cash Walcome, Aquor Water Systems

As winter slowly crawls to an end here in Seattle, it's natural that some of us will stumble upon a frozen pipe. A frozen pipe isn't the end of the world, but a pipe that has burst can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home.

According to Esurance Insurance Services, water damage due to burst pipes is the second-most filed insurance claim in the U.S.—with the average claim totaling close to $10,000.

Let's talk about the right steps to take if you find a frozen pipe in your household, along with ways to prevent this occurrence in the future.

The first indication that you have a frozen pipe happens when you first turn your water on. If you get just a trickle or nothing at all, suspect a freeze somewhere in the line. A freeze usually occurs in areas closest to the exterior wall. Hose bibs or outdoor spigots are notorious for freezing. A common mistake is to run the water to try and thaw out the lines. Do not do this—it won't help and can cause other sections to freeze.

Figure out if the piping is accessible in the spot you suspect frozen. If not, unfortunately, a plumber is necessary unless someone in the household has some relevant experience. If you have access to your in-wall plumbing, start by applying heat to the piping closest to the wall. This can be done by wrapping the pipe in towels soaked in hot water, a hair dryer, or by simply leaving a space heater close to the piping.

For the most part, your problem is now solved. But how do we prevent it from happening in the future? In some cases, it might just be the way your plumbing is structured, which would require a plumber consultation so that a long-term solution can be found.

One of the most common reasons a pipe freezes is because a hose is left attached to a hose bib throughout the winter. The sitting water in the hose freezes up the line all the way into the home. Removing the hose and checking to see that the hose bib is completely drained ensures that you won't have issues come spring. Sometimes a foam faucet cover is necessary for older hose bibs. You can also purchase a frost-free outdoor faucet, which provides extra protection against the elements.

Make sure the home is properly insulated. If the ambient temperature on the inside of your wall is freezing, there is nothing preventing the pipes from freezing. Look for places in the home that aren't usually heated, such as the garage and crawl space. An inexpensive infrared thermometer should determine whether those spaces have enough insulation.

A frozen pipe is a fixable problem, but it's also a sign to start taking precautions to avoid the headache of a burst pipe.

 

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Cash Walcome is the president of Aquor Water Systems and a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). HomeWork is the group's weekly column. If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you'd like answered by one of the MBAKS's nearly 3,000 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.

Q: My partner and I are both working from home and our kids are trying to attend school virtually right. On top of the expected stress from this new normal, our house just isn’t set up to be used as an office—some rooms are so dim we get headaches from working in the dark. Others are too bright, so we can barely see our screens. How can we make our house more comfortable for both work hours and relaxing as a family?

A: Good daylighting is essential to a well-designed home; if not properly balanced, lighting can make an otherwise good space very unpleasant, either from too much glare or by being dark and gloomy. Understanding how to manipulate daylight allows you to maximize comfort, reduce energy consumption, and enhance special architectural features and furnishings.

The characteristics of daylight at a particular location will dictate the most effective means to control it, such as orientation of the building, window size and location, roof overhangs, and even various interior finishes. A room with direct sunlight available for most of the day will lead to solutions very different from a location surrounded by tall evergreens.

Strategically placed windows and skylights can significantly reduce the need for artificial lighting, while providing a more desirable quality of light. You may not be in a position to add windows or skylights right now, but if you already have a lot of direct sunlight, take care to prevent glare. Direct sunlight can be especially problematic with hard finishes, as they often create unwelcome reflections and significant visual discomfort. I have seen a few homes that require sunglasses indoors on a sunny day! For a quick fix, try adding rugs, table cloths to hard, reflective surfaces like tile floors and wood dining tables. Layer window coverings, from sheers to blackout curtains, so you have the flexibility to adjust as the sun shifts throughout the day.

While maximizing daylight in a space is generally preferred, more artificial lighting is not necessarily better. Thoughtful lighting design is key, but it is unfortunately not uncommon for the residential interior lighting to be an afterthought. A qualified lighting designer or interior designer can provide suggestions for appropriate light fixtures, as well as proper placement and controls. The emotional and physiological impact of these choices cannot be overstated.

Artificial lighting is seeing a renaissance today, with the advent of LED lighting and the introduction of digital control systems. Today, there are many apps and programs that allow you to control lighting from your smartphone or tablet, whether you want to set a more neutral white light for doing crafts at the kitchen table or to dim the lights for movie night. Utilizing this emerging technology can greatly improve the usefulness and flexibility of your home.

Because LED lighting uses so little power compared to typical incandescent lighting, it may be possible to retrofit an existing home with a higher level of illumination, using a greater number of strategically-placed fixtures, and even introduce museum-quality lighting to highlight special artwork or architectural features, all while using less electricity! The possibilities are almost endless.

 

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Philip W. Frisk, AIA, is a principal at PWF Architecture, a member of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties (MBAKS). If you have a home improvement, remodeling, or residential homebuilding question you’d like answered by one of MBAKS’ more than 2,600 members, write to homework@mbaks.com.