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No home is complete without a source of hot water. For decades, that system has been basically the same: a water heater comprised of heating elements, a thermostat, and a tank. However, new technology now makes it possible to heat water without using a tank, requiring less space and energy than the old systems. How do these innovative appliances work, and how might you determine which one is best for your home or office? How

A properly sized water heater greatly impacts the comfort and energy efficiency of your home, whether you’re doing laundry, taking a shower or washing dishes. There are several key considerations to think about when choosing the right size. Number of People Living in the Household Your daily hot water needs will be directly proportional to the number of people living in your home. You should also think about how many baths or showers you and

Although this is a relatively rare occurrence, there is a chance that a water heater might explode if not taken care of properly. Therefore, it’s important to understand the warning signs of a potential explosion as well as why this might happen in the first place. The Warning Signs of a Potential Water Heater Explosion If you hear a whistling sound when the water heater is in operation, it could be a sign that too

Your home water heater is among the top energy consumers in your home, so energy efficiency is important, both for your budget and the environment. As a homeowner, you have more choices than ever in types of water heaters and power sources. Find out the about various options in water heaters below. Learn about the factors that affect their energy efficiency. Then, get in touch with us at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing for experienced advice and

The temperature you set for your water heater can affect your comfort and your wallet as well as your energy efficiency and safety. The best temperature setting is one that balances all those things, letting you enjoy your morning shower while reducing risks as much as possible. Let’s take a deep dive into the warm waters of optimal temperature settings. The Goldilocks Guide to Getting Your Water Heater Temperature Just Right According to the U.S.

Your plumbing is one of the most important systems in your home. On top of a good plumbing plan to be installed by skilled plumbers, your home needs to be built with good plumbing materials as well. In recent years, the development of PEX has introduced a whole new set of decisions into the process of plumbing a home as homeowners and contractors like Benjamin Franklin Plumbing must choose between PEX and the traditional copper.

Home plumbing systems typically have pipes made from materials that last for decades. If you’re lucky, you could even live in a house that never needs repiping. While many failing piping systems can limp along for a while, the truth is that they’ll eventually cause issues that you can’t ignore. Professional plumbers can often suggest replacing just one pipe or a small portion for isolated problems. But, they may need to recommend completely repiping the

While a plumbing system’s pipes can last for decades, several factors that can impact their lifespan. This includes piping material, maintenance frequency, water quality, and temperature fluctuations. Let’s take a closer look at how often homes need to be repiped. Average Lifespan of Common Pipe Materials Galvanized Steel: You can expect galvanized steel pipes to last up to 50 years. Unfortunately, this type of piping material is more prone to experiencing premature corrosion. Leaks can

While it is easy to overlook the important function of your home’s drain pipes on a daily basis, a drain pipe problem can wreak havoc on your life and property. When the pipes are cracked, blocked, leaking or showing other troublesome signs, you may immediately wonder how long the repair will take and what it will cost. The answer depends on if a pipe repair or a replacement is needed. Common Drain Pipe Issues Drain

Soft water allows soap to lather more than hard water does, so the primary reason that soft water feels slimy is that you use too much soap and/or shampoo. The minerals in hard water inhibit the lathering properties of soap and shampoo. Because soft water doesn’t have those minerals, the same amount of soap will lather far more than you’re used to. The extra soap is what feels slimy. The best way to stop the