Q: Hi Ed, My hot water heater is in the garage and my main living area is on the second floor. It takes at least two to three minutes before I can get hot water out of my shower head.

Not only is this frustrating, all the cold water going down the drain is being wasted! A friend told me special pump systems are available to help with this issue, can you please tell me more about these systems?

Deb, Rhode Island

A: When dealing with any hot water issues, I recommend calling a local licensed master plumber to check out your plumbing system for proper operation and repair options.

What I can tell you is that waiting for hot water is a very common issue when the hot water heater is a long distance from the plumbing fixture.

The reason for this is that all the cooler water sitting in the pipes needs to be purged from the system before the hot water reaches the fixture. If you have a lot of water that needs to be purged out, as you said, the wait can be stressful and wasteful.

To help get the hot water faster to your plumbing fixtures, your plumber may install a residential hot water recirculating system. Basically, a recirculating pump is installed with a timer and a special mixing valve that moves hot water around your plumbing system at preset intervals. This way when you turn on a fixture like your shower, hot water should already be closer to the fixture to cut down the wait time.

Bottom line: Installing a residential hot water recirculating system can really "pump up" your water savings.

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Wasting water while waiting for a hot shower

Calabasas, California (PRWEB) May 30, 2014

For the Swim Team at Viewpoint High School in Calabasas, California, being called a swim cult is considered a badge of honor. Allison Hoops, a junior at Viewpoint High School, told local newspaper The Acorn the football team, the soccer team, the cheer squadtheyre all jealous of us. Theres a family atmosphere. Everyone wants the best for you. They truly care. Were one big family. We all support each other.

That overwhelming sense of community may be the Viewpoint Patriots secret weapon, responsible for the teams winning history; the boys team just won its 10th straight league championship, and the girls took their 8th in a row. Clearly, the competition pool at Viewpoint High is a place where champions are made.

Take a walk across the Schools sprawling campus, past the fragrant rose gardens, there is another pool. This pool is used by students of Viewpoints Primary and Lower School, where swimming is a regular part of the physical education program, as well as a component of its summer programs. This is where many of the championship-winning Patriots first learned how to swim.

On top of an adjacent building, out of sight of the many swimmers, parents, and faculty below, solar panels 72 of them to be exact are now hard at work heating the pools water, thanks to an ambitious solar contractor and a new state-wide rebate program that paid for nearly all of the systems cost. The solar panels, manufactured by Aquatherm Industries of Lakewood, New Jersey, were installed by Catersolar of Woodland Hills. Installation was completed on April 21 and, having passed its final inspections on May 9, became the first commercial pool solar heating system in southern California to qualify for a rebate under the California Solar Initiative (CSI) Thermal Program.

Established through the Solar Water Heating & Efficiency Act in 2007, the CSI-Thermal Program was started with the purpose of promoting solar thermal (heating & cooling) technologies in the state of California. The program receives funding through the ratepayers of several major state utility providers, including PG&E, SCE, SoCal Gas and SDG&E, and is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). By providing rebates based on displaced usage of natural gas, electricity, and propane, Program Administrators hoped to reach their goal of 200,000 systems installed by 2017.

Though the solar industry in the U.S. is no stranger to incentives, pool heating applications have traditionally been excluded from receiving such subsidies. Having a heated swimming pool in your backyard is generally viewed as a luxury, not a necessity says Molly Friar, Sales & Marketing Manager for Aquatherm. Such was initially the case for the CSI-Thermal Program, until Program Administrators, looking for a way to increase participation in the Program, found their answer in commercial pool heating.

There are over 40,000 commercial pools in the state of California at places like schools, hotels, gyms, and homeowners associations the majority of which are heated, says Dave Sizelove, President of Aquatherm Industries. Facilities often have no choice but to continuously heat these pools, which uses an incredible amount of energy.

According to EPA estimates, the combined heating load of all commercial pools in California produces annual CO2 emissions equivalent to 436,310 passenger vehicles driven a total of 4,934,224 miles. That makes commercial pools a great candidate for solar heating, says Sizelove.

Over the past 40 years, the residential market for solar pool heating in California has seen steady growth. However, high upfront costs have resulted in a less successful market penetration in the commercial sector. Once solar is installed, Friar says, a facility can cut up to 100% of its pool heating costs, paying for itself in just a few short years. By reducing upfront costs through a rebate or other incentive, it becomes much more economically feasible for a facility to add a solar pool heating system.

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Solar Pool Heater Installed at Viewpoint School in Calabasas; First Commercial Pool in Southern California to Qualify ...

RALEIGH Responding to last years deaths at a Boone hotel, North Carolina lawmakers are proposing to broaden and clarify laws on carbon monoxide alerts in hotels and other lodgings.

The provision, part of a giant regulatory bill approved Wednesday by a Senate committee, would require alarms not just detectors near heaters, appliances and fireplaces that burn combustion fuels.

The bottom line will be that we add carbon monoxide alarms where we need to protect the public and prevent future deaths, said Rep. Ruth Samuelson, a Charlotte Republican.

Samuelson co-chairs the Environmental Review Commission, which made the proposal with input from fire marshals, building inspectors and state insurance officials.

The new requirement would apply to extended-stay tourist homes, bed and breakfast properties, as well as hotels and other lodgings.

The proposal rewrites portions of a law enacted last year after three people died of carbon monoxide poisoning at the Best Western in Boone. It replaces a portion that just required detectors, not alarms.

Lynn Minges, president and chief executive officer for the N.C. Restaurant & Lodging Association, said her group supports the new measure.

Minges said the bill simply clarifies language in the carbon monoxide alarm bill that went into effect last year.

It would end confusion about extended stay motels by making it clear they must install alarms, Minges said.

The only significant change contained in the new proposal would put local fire departments in charge of enforcing the law, she said. Now, local health departments perform that duty, but Minges said many of them don't have expertise with carbon monoxide alarms.

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Bill would broaden carbon monoxide rules

Updated: May 19, 2014 2:01AM

Erma Love guided me into the family room basement of her Gary home, shook her head out of frustration, and let out a long sigh.

You see that? asked Love, 71, pointing to obvious water damage along the baseboards.

And that? she asked, pointing to soiled furniture in a basement bedroom.

And that? she asked again, opening up a broken closet door. Nobody wants to take responsibility for any of this mess.

Love and her husband, Ernest, have lived on Louisiana Street, just off 5th Avenue, for more than four decades. They didnt have sewage backup problems until last year, they told me.

In October, sewage backed up into their basement causing extensive water damage, lost furniture and hefty costs to rehab the family room and adjoining rooms.

I paid $1,200 to get it done, plus another $400 to the Roto-Rooter man, Love said.

A few of her neighbors also have suffered similar sewage backup problems since the fall.

Every time it rains, we have to put on our worry faces, Love said while dragging out items from her basement on yet another rainy day.

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Davich: Sewage backup: The city needs to know

Cleanup continued Thursday in Penn Yan, Yates County, after Tuesday night's torrential rain sent buckets of water and mounds of mud streaming into the village. Rain remains in the forecast.

According to the Department of Transportation, all state roads are open in Yates County. Crews today started the process of repairing ditches, driveways and pipes on Routes 245, 364, 53 and 54, among others.

In Penn Yan, it was another day of shoveling mud and sorting through debris. Angel's Family Restaurant was one of many Main Street businesses damaged. They hope to reopen Saturday.

"There was no flood insurance. Luckily, we were able to salvage a lot of the food. The health department was called, because our freezers tipped over, but luckily, they didn't open, so we were able to salvage a lot from that. Our hot water heater survived, our air conditioner survived, so in light of everything, we're in a pretty good place. Lot of cleanup to do," said Angelique Neal.

Local insurance agent Tim Culver is an officer at the Masonic Lodge, which has no flood insurance. He was joined by an adjuster assessing the damage.

"We'll probably end up getting a denial letter in case down the road there's FEMA or anything like that, we could recoup some of our losses," Culver said.

While going through the building, someone smelled gas, leading to the building's evacuation. The fire department came in to check it out, before giving an all-clear.

Lt. Governor Bob Duffy, who owns a home on Keuka Lake, said he understands the concern of residents who don't have flood insurance. He says the state is looking in to it.

"For those that aren't insured, we are going to look at the resources available. That's a problem in every one of these storms and we're doing that right now. We're having people look at what we can provide and once we get the facts, we're going to share that will all of the leaders and homeowners here. I just don't want to make a promise I can't deliver on," Duffy said.

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Penn Yan Cleans Up After Storm, Watches the Forecast

Houston, Texas (PRWEB) May 15, 2014

Plumbing systems are needed in buildings for distributing water, which fulfils a variety of needs. Included among those needs are heating and waste removal. Not only do buildings need professionals to install water heaters and sewer drains, such devices need to be cleaned and maintained so that they work well and last longer. To this end, Southern Plumbing Services LLC recently revealed their new maintenance services for water heaters and sewer drain cleaning. Mainly serving the Houston metropolitan area, which includes cities like Sugar Land and Missouri City, Southern Plumbing provides services to residential and commercial customers.

Southern Plumbing is certified to provide tankless water heaters, which has major advantages. When water is stored in a tank, it would have to be heated continuously. However, tankless systems heat water as needed, thus making it a more energy efficient option. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that reduction of energy costs make tankless systems 24 percent more efficient than traditional water tanks. Also, at five to 10 years, tankless systems tend to last longer than regular water storage systems; and they take up less space. Southern Plumbing has 24-hour service available, so trained professionals can come at any time to perform the installation.

Southern Plumbing's sewer drain cleaning service is priced for affordability, thus making sure that preventing potential health hazards does not break the bank for the average customer. Also, Southern Plumbing trains people to restore trenchless pipes by inspecting them for slab leaks and drain leaks. In some cases, the professionals can remove tree roots that are obstructing the sewer line. The company can also replace sewer lines in the event that the client does not wish to stick with the old drain.

With water heater services at around $622 to $793 and sewer services that range from $624 to $3,572, Southern Plumbing are strict in being upfront about their pricing. So, customers are never in for an unpleasant surprise.

About Southern Plumbing: Founded in 2004, Southern Plumbing Services LLC specializes in repairing residential plumbing systems and installing and re-routing sewer lines. The company is also a certified tankless water heater installer, and it is the recipient of the 2013 Super Service Award from Angie's List. Southern Plumbing Services LLC carries $1,000,000 worth of general liability insurance, as well as $500,000 of auto insurance. The company can be reached by dialing 713-539-6239.

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Southern Plumbing Provides New Maintenance Services for Water Heaters and Sewer Drain Cleaning

16 hours ago

The White House is finally on the solar grid, in response to prodding by environmentalists and nearly four years after then-Energy Secretary Steven Chu pledged that solar panels and a solar water heater would be installed on the historic building's roof.

The American-made panels are converting sunlight into energy at the first family's residence as part of President Barack Obama's "commitment to lead by example to increase the use of clean energy in the U.S.," said Matt Lehrich, a White House spokesman.

The long-awaited announcement came as Obama on Friday touted a raft of administration initiatives aimed at boosting the use of alternative energy, as part of his alert on climate change - a message that resounds with his liberal base but faces opposition from congressional Republicans, who the president said Friday were "wasting time" arguing about what he said was a settled debate.

"Climate change is real and we have to act now," Obama said at a California Wal-Mart as he praised the company for embracing solar energy. He sought to counter Republican criticism that addressing climate change will cost jobs, saying "there are cost-effective ways to tackle climate change and create jobs at the same time."

He suggested a growing consensus that climate change is a threat: "Unfortunately, inside of Washington we've still got some climate deniers who shout loud, but they're wasting everybody's time on a settled debate," he said.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said that if Obama were serious about creating jobs he'd change course.

"If the president really wanted to be helpful and move America toward energy independence, he'd do things like approving the Keystone pipeline, stopping the war on coal," McConnell said.

The panels on the White House are a part of a plan to improve the energy efficiency of the building and "demonstrate that historic buildings can incorporate solar energy and energy efficiency upgrades," Lehrich said.

It's estimated that the upgrades will pay for themselves in energy savings over the next eight years - if the next president doesn't remove them. President Jimmy Carter installed 32 panels in 1979, when an Arab oil embargo spiked fuel prices, but President Ronald Reagan removed them in 1986 when the roof was resurfaced.

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Solar panels finally arrive atop the White House

TEMPLE The grassroots green movement Monadnock Energy Resources Initiative is moving forward with its first home solar installation next month.

Were moving forward in a new direction and were very excited about it, said Bev Edwards, coordinator for Monadnock Energy Resources Initiative (MERI).

The group was formed two years ago by members of several Monadnock region town energy committees.

The Monadnock Energy Resources Initiatives mission is to help people rely less on fossil fuels and reduce their overall carbon footprint, Edwards said. The group accomplishes this through renewable energy installations and low-cost or no-cost weatherization opportunities and training, she said.

Were trying to cut costs for people so they are able to switch from burning so much fuel, especially fossil fuels, Edwards said.

Since forming, the group has already held two hot water heating barn raising installations.

These are community building events in which volunteers help install a solar hot water heater and the home owner provides lunch and a promise to pay it forward through MERI volunteer work in the future.

The one-day project requires a group of volunteers and a licensed plumber. After rebates and tax incentives, the project costs the homeowner about $3,000.

Edwards credits the Plymouth Area Renewable Energy Initiative for inspiring and training MERI members.

They started it with neighbors helping neighbors, Edwards said.

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Monadnock green group plans home solar installation

Includes More Places Of Assembly

The carbon monoxide (CO) detector requirement in its building code was expanded through legislation signed by Mayor Bill de Blasio last Friday, Apr. 25.

Intro. No. 11, which passed the City Council unanimously in an Apr. 10 vote, mandates the installation of CO detector systems in new buildings with assembly places and that feature a fire alarm system. Existing structures are grandfathered in, but owners will be required to install CO detectors if and when fire alarm systems are replaced.

The current building code requires that property owners install the detectors in dwelling units served by any kind of appliances (such as a stove or hot water heater) that may produce carbon monoxidea colorless, odorless gas that is fatal to anyone exposed to excessive amounts in a short period of time.

This important bill amends the New York City building code to increase the number of life-saving carbon monoxide detectors in our city, de Blasio said before signing the bill last Friday. East year, about 200 people are hospitalized because of accidental carbon monoxide poisoning, and people are dying needlessly.

The law de Blasio signed requires CO detectors in places of assembly such as restaurants, taverns, nightclubs, bars, catering halls, movie theaters, houses of worship and other venues where large numbers of people gather.

The Department of Buildings will adopt rules and standards for the installation of CO detector systems. Provisions of the law take effect on Oct. 1.

Local sponsors of the legislation include City Council Majority Leader Jimmy Van Bramer and City Council Members Elizabeth Crowley, Daniel Dromm, Rafael Espinal, Julissa Ferreras, Karen Koslowitz, Antonio Reynoso, Donovan Richards, Eric Ulrich and Ruben Wills.

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Mayor Expands City CO Detector Rules

Bandera, Texas (PRWEB) April 30, 2014

A plumbing emergency can put Bandera residents in the difficult position of needing professional services as soon as possible without being able to research and call around for the best price. Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning, a 24 hour plumber in Bandera Texas, has taken some of the stress out of water heater replacement by offering their customers a $150 discount in the event of an emergency.

By offering the discount during an emergency situation, Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning aims to make their customers comfortable with the service, even at a time when decisions need to be made quickly. Both tankless and traditional hot water heaters fall under Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditionings umbrella of expertise and they can install all major brands and models.

To redeem the offer, Bandera residents are to visit http://www.jonwayneair.com/plumbing/. For more information about water heater repair, replacement, or maintenance, homeowners are encouraged to visit http://www.jonwayneair.com/plumbing/water-heater.cfm or call (210) 293-5550 to set a service appointment.

About Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning Jon Wayne Heating and Air Conditioning is San Antonio's largest residential HVAC service and plumbing company. Their focus is to help customers create the most comfortable environment possible. Highly trained technicians use state of the art equipment and techniques to locate problem areas and maximize efficiency, providing homeowners with healthy and comfortable spaces.

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Bandera Plumbing Company Offering Discounted Emergency Services for Water Heater Replacement