Hoping to benefit from attributes like increased longevity and energy savings, many homeowners are making the switch from traditional water heaters to tankless models. For some, however, the costs of conversion and installation are prohibitively expensive, while for others the estimated financial returns of going tankless are too minimal to make it a viable option. In either case, a more cost-effective alternative is to maximize the life of your current water heater. Read more

Watch this video to learn about the numerous benefits of installing a soft water system in your home. Read more

Some of the most substantial water wastage in the home occurs while waiting for hot water to reach a sink or shower. Researchers estimate that in an average single-family household, 5 to 10 gallons of water go down the drain in this manner on a daily basis—a figure that has implications for both water conservation and water bills.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways to reduce water loss in your home. One way is to install an ancillary device to improve the efficiency of your hot water delivery system. A recirculation pump, for example, keeps hot water flowing throughout the home’s plumbing system on a continuous loop, making it available with almost no delay. Read more

If the tap water in your home has a foul smell, discoloration or a metallic taste, it could be the result of corrosion in your water pipes. This is particularly likely if your home has galvanized pipes, which were installed in many homes built before the 1960s. Galvanized pipes are comprised of steel that’s coated with a layer of zinc to extend the life of the pipes and resist corrosion. However, this layer of zinc erodes over time, which allows “scale” to build up on the inside of the piping. Besides adversely affecting water quality, another common symptom of corroded piping is a reduction in water pressure, which occurs as the accumulation of scale gradually clogs the pipes. Read more

Learn what you can do to get a rebate on a new, high-efficiency toilet. Read more

If you install a soft water system in your home, you can expect to save money in a number of ways. For one thing, soft water protects pipes and water heaters by removing scales (a mineral build-up). John Baranzelli, general manager of Puronics Service, Inc., a Diamond Certified company, says scales can wreak havoc by sticking to the sides of your pipes. “Think of it like your heart—if you have plaque in your blood, it sticks to the sides of your arteries and eventually causes a heart attack. It’s the same concept with water. The scale builds up and eventually causes the pipes to burst.” Read more

Watch this video to learn why it’s a good idea to hire a plumber to clean your drains before the holiday season. Read more