How to Reduce Your Winter Heating Costs

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Winter is here and the cold weather means it’s time to crank up your furnace and water heater – but that can mean skyrocketing utility bills. With already tight budgets due to the highest inflation in decades and a possible recession, no one wants the additional financial burden of high energy costs. But don’t worry, there are lots of ways you can reduce your winter heating bills without sacrificing your family’s comfort. In this article, we’ll look at some simple tips for keeping those household energy bills in check during the colder months. Read on to find out how you can save money while staying warm and cozy all season long!

Gas meter outside home covered in snow

Get Your Furnace and Water Heater Serviced

If you want to lower your monthly energy costs and enjoy a comfortable home this season, having your water heater and furnace serviced can make a big difference. A professional checkup can help identify problems and provide a tune-up so that both appliances work more efficiently, helping lower your monthly energy bills. Plus, catching minor issues now can help reduce the need for major repairs in the future! Don’t wait – contact D&F today to schedule a water heater inspection to help ensure peak performance from this important appliance. 

Improve Your Basement and Attic Insulation

Attics and basements are responsible for the bulk of a home’s energy loss. Fortunately, there are some simple and relatively inexpensive ways to make your attic and basement more energy-efficient. Improving the insulation around attic and basement walls, ceilings and floors can help these parts of your home retain more heat. Additionally, sealing attic entrances and placing weatherstripping around window frames in your basement (and your attic if you have attic windows), will significantly reduce air leaks. This will help keep the main living area of your home more comfortable and reduce the use of – and wear and tear on – your furnace. 

Lower Your Thermostat to Lower Your Energy Bills

When the weather gets colder in winter, it’s understandable if your first instinct is to crank the furnace higher. However, small changes made to your thermostat temperature can equal big savings on your energy bill. Every degree lower translates to a savings of about 2-4%. You may not even notice a temperature difference of one or two degrees. And even if you do, it may be worth putting on a sweater to save some money.   

Get Tax Breaks for Making Your Home More Efficient

Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes an Energy Efficiency Home Improvement Credit that provides tax credits for making improvements to your furnace, insulation, and water heater. So, how does it work? If you make one of the covered home improvements, you can get back up to 30% of what you spent in the form of a tax credit, up to an annual maximum of $1,200. A wide range of home improvements are covered, from installing new, more efficient windows to buying new appliances, to adding insulation to your home. For some improvements, the annual maximum is not based on what you spend, it’s fixed – for example:

  • $250 per exterior door (up to a $500 maximum for all exterior doors);
  • $600 for new exterior windows and skylights, central air conditioners; natural gas, propane, or oil water heaters; natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces, or boilers
  • $2,000 for natural gas or electric heat pump water heaters or natural gas or electric heat pumps (these are a high-efficiency combination of furnace & A/C unit).

If you space out your qualifying home improvements, you can receive the maximum tax credit for multiple years in a row. And finally, if you’re not sure where to start, you can receive a $150 tax credit when you get a home energy audit. For more information on these tax credits and how they work, consult with a licensed tax professional.

High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program

Another provision of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 that could save you money is the High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Program. Instead of a tax credit that reduces the tax you owe dollar-for-dollar, this program provides a discount for similar home improvements. The difference is that to qualify, your annual household income must be less than 150% of the median household income where you live. This calculator estimates the value of the incentives your household is eligible for.  Here are some maximum rebate amounts for qualifying homeowners:

  • $840 for a stove, cooktop, range, oven, or a heat pump clothes dryer
  • $1,600 for insulation, air sealing, or ventilation improvements
  • $1,750 for a heat pump water heater
  • $2,500 for electrical wiring
  • $8,000 for a heat pump to heat and cool your home

The tax credits above may be combined with these discounts, provided you meet all of the requirements and are eligible for both programs. Because this program is new and is administered by the states, they’re still working out how these discounts will work. They may not be in place until later in 2023, but you can start planning now.

Making qualifying improvements is a great way to save on your taxes and reduce your utility bills, and we can help. We’re experts at installing heat pump water heaters which are eligible for a tax credit and, if you’re eligible, a rebate. Contact the team at D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling today to schedule a consultation to get a new, money-saving heat pump water heater installed.

How to Prepare Your Water Heater for Winter

Adjusting water heater

Person adjusting the settings on their water heater tankBetween freezing weather and holiday festivities, the winter months can take a serious toll on your water heater. To ensure you have plenty of hot water all throughout the cold season, it’s important to prepare your water heater for winter as soon as temperatures begin to drop. Fortunately, seasonal maintenance doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Here are the top ways to get your water heater ready for winter weather:

Flush the Tank

Professionals recommend that homeowners flush their water heaters at least once per year to clear out any sediment that is building up inside of the tank. Since your water heater has to work harder in the winter to maintain warm temperatures, fall is the best time of year to empty and clean out your tank. To flush your water heater, follow these general steps:

  • Turn off the power source
  • Give the tank time to cool down
  • Close the water supply valve
  • Attach a hose to the drain valve
  • Open the drain valve and drain the water
  • Test the water quality for signs of sediment
  • Close the drain valve and refill the tank

If you aren’t sure how to flush your tank or have questions about the process, reach out to the experts at D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling! Our licensed team has years of experience working on a variety of water heater types, so they can make the process quick and easy. 

Insulate Pipes

Insulating exposed pipes near your water heater helps increase efficiency and keeps your hot water from freezing during cold spells. You may also want to consider insulating pipes in areas that are particularly drafty or cold, such as basements and attics. This will help keep them warm and prevent potential burst pipe damage due to freezing temperatures.

Lower the Temperature

Cold weather places a lot of strain on your water heater by making it difficult to retain thermal energy. To keep your unit from working in overdrive, we recommend dialing back the heat just a little bit during the winter. If you normally keep your unit at 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, consider lowering the temperature to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Doing so will not only prevent malfunctions, but it will also lower your utility bills significantly by reducing heat loss through the tank.

Check for Leaks or Corrosion

Leaking and corrosion are surefire signs that your water heater needs to be repaired or replaced. Look near your unit for puddles of water, dripping, or other moisture problems. Also, it’s prudent to pull out the anode rod to check for corrosion. If you notice any damage, contact a licensed plumber to inspect the water heater.

Schedule a Professional Inspection

If you want peace of mind knowing that your water heater is in great shape for the winter, schedule a professional maintenance service! At D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling, our licensed experts are committed to providing you with excellent service and durable results. We are very familiar with common water heater problems, so we will provide you with recommendations on how to keep your unit functioning perfectly long-term. For a free estimate, get in touch with us today!

Go Energy Efficient and Get a Huge Tax Credit

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The sun shines on rooftop soalr panels

Just a few weeks ago, the Inflation Reduction Act was passed and it will have a big impact on your wallet as a homeowner.

While it’s yet to be seen if this new act will have an impact on the cost of gas and groceries, it will make transitioning to an all-electric, energy-efficient lifestyle more affordable.

We wanted to share all the details, and highlight how we can help you make the switch with ease. Here is the best info we have at this point:

What is the Inflation Reduction Act? (IRA)

The Inflation Reduction Act is a new act that was passed with the intention of reducing inflation in the United States. Some of the ways it can attempt to do this is by offering incentives for people to switch to more energy-efficient systems in their homes, like heat pump water heaters.

These incentives will come in the form of tax credits and rebates for the purchase and installation of new clean energy technology.

What home improvements will be incentivized?

The IRA will incentivize a variety of home improvements, but one that will have a big impact on your plumbing is a new water heater. If you upgrade to a high-efficiency all-electric heat pump water heater, you could receive up to $1,750 in tax credits and rebates.

Here are some other non-plumbing-related home improvements you can make to receive similar incentives:

Installing rooftop solar: The IRA provides 30% off the cost of rooftop solar, which amounts to average savings of $7,000, according to estimates from the Sierra Club. The bill also offers 30% off the cost of home batteries for the first time.

Switching to electric appliances: The Inflation Reduction Act offers homes up to $14,000 in rebates to switch over to electric appliances — covering up to 50% of the costs for moderate-income households and 100 percent of the costs for low-income households.

This includes up to:

  • $8,000 for a heat pump, which serves as an air conditioner in the summer and heater in the winter

  • $1,750 for a high-efficiency, all-electric heat pump water heater

  • $840 for an electric induction cooktop

  • $840 for a high-efficiency all-electric heat pump clothes dryer

  • Up to $9,100 for enabling improvements to the electric panel, wiring, and home insulation

Improving energy efficiency: An alternative rebate option offers to cover more than 50% of the cost of whole-home energy efficiency retrofit or more than 80% in the case of homes occupied by low to moderate-income households.

Households that do not participate in either rebate program can still claim a variety of home energy tax credits, which are improved and extended for 10 years by the bill.

And if you invest in rental homes or apartments: The IRA’s investment incentives aren’t just for individual homeowners. The bill provides rebates of up to $400,000 for whole-building energy efficiency retrofits in large multifamily apartment buildings as well as grants and loans worth $1 billion in total for improving efficiency and installing zero-emission equipment in affordable housing units.

There are also other credits for purchasing new and used electric vehicles.

Benefits of upgrading to a heat pump water heater

Water heaters usually only last 8-12 years, so if yours is nearing the end of its life, you might be due for an upgrade anyway. And with the IRA, there is no better time to switch to a more energy-efficient water heater. Here are 5 benefits of heat pump water heaters:

1. Save money on your energy bill: Heat pump water heaters are 4x more efficient than standard electric water heaters, so a typical family can save around $300-400 per year by switching. This helps offset the cost of installation, which is generally higher for these much more efficient pieces of equipment.

2. Longer lifespan: Heat pump water heaters tend to last longer. Between 10-15 years, while a standard water heater will only last 8-12.

3. Less wear and tear: Since heat pump water heaters don’t use as much electricity to heat water, there is less wear and tear on the system overall. This means you can go longer without needing repairs or replacements.

4. Environmentally friendly: Heat pump water heaters don’t use as much electricity, which means they produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, when compared to gas water heaters, studies have shown a reduction in emissions by 50% and more!

5. Functions as an A/C: If your water heater is located inside your home, the heat pump water heater can also help with cooling in the summer. By moving heat from the water in the tank to the air around it, the water heater takes on a dual role as an air conditioner.

Can I start taking advantage of these benefits now?

Starting in 2023, tax credits and rebates will be available for many of the home improvements listed above. So if you’re thinking about making any upgrades to your home, it may be worth waiting just a little longer to receive a bigger discount.

In the meantime, our Plumbers in Plaid can help make sure your water heater is in good shape to last until it’s time to upgrade in 2023.

Fall is quickly approaching, which means now is the perfect time to schedule a check-up or maintenance appointment for your water heater. We can also show you the options available if you want to upgrade to a new water heater in the new year. Here’s to saving money and energy in the years to come!

The Plumbers in Plaid

P.S. Want to learn more about high-efficiency heat pump water heaters? Click here.

Tankless Water Heaters – Should You Upgrade?

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D&F tankless heater

Tankless Water Heaters – Should You Upgrade?

Do you know why plumbers hate installing tankless water heaters? Because it’s a tankless job! Ba dum tss! In all seriousness, we love installing tankless water heaters. They provide an unlimited supply of hot water and can cut your monthly bills, what’s not to like? Now here’s why you should upgrade. 

How Tankless Water Heaters Work

Tankless water heaters connect directly to your plumbing. When hot water is requested, a series of heating elements turn on and heat the water that passes through them, providing you with hot water on demand. 

The Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

  • Long lasting: Because tankless water heaters don’t store water, they usually operate efficiently for at least 20 years. They also often come with longer warranties than conventional water heaters. 
  • Lower utility bills: The Department of Energy says tankless water heaters use around 24%-24% less energy than conventional storage tank water heaters. 
  • Endless hot water: Tankless water heaters provide water on-demand so you have an endless supply of hot water.
  • Compact size: Tankless water heaters are much smaller than their conventional counterparts. This means you can install it in various places and it won’t take up much space.
  • Reduced carbon footprint: Because you’ll be using less energy with a tankless unit, you’ll reduce your carbon footprint.
  • Increase in home value: tankless water heaters are highly sought after, so if you plan to sell your home in the near future, this may be an attractive feature to potential buyers.

Tankless Water Heater Installation

For decades, homeowners have relied on traditional tank-type water heaters to generate warm water for their homes. Today, you have various options, including the ever-so-popular tankless water heater. So get with the times and get yourself a tankless water heater today–now even! D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling is here to help you pick the right unit for your home and your budget so give us a call! 

Signs Your Water Heater Needs Replacing

D and F Signs your water heater needs replacing

Heating element with rust and scale. D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling serving Portland OR and Vancouver WA talks about signs your water heater needs replacing.Whether you own a home or run a business, having hot water is important. But what happens when your water heater stops supplying hot water?

Every appliance will wear out eventually and your hot water heater is no exception. In this blog post, we’ll look at signs your water heater may be failing and offer tips when choosing a new water heater.

Signs of Water Heater Failure

Recognizing the signs your water heater is failing will allow you to replace it before you wake up one-day climbing into a cold shower or standing ankle-deep in water. Below are some common signs your water heater may need replacing.

  • Insufficient Hot Water: whether you only get warm water and not hot, or have just cold water
  • Discolored or Foul-Smelling Water: water that is rusty-colored, cloudy, or smelly often means there is a build-up of mineral sediment at the bottom of the tank
  • Corrosion: if you notice your pipe fittings are corroded this typically means water is leaking through
  • Water leaks: water heaters can leak slowly over time or very abruptly, this is a surefire sign your unit needs replacing
  • Unusual Sounds: popping and banging sounds or often indicators mineral sediment has built-up
  • Old Age: traditional tank-type water heaters typically have lifespans of about 8 to 12 years while on-demand tankless water heaters last about 20 years

If your water heater is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s probably time you contact your local plumber and have your water heater replaced.

Selecting a Water Heater

Selecting the right water heater for your home or business is important, but with so many options out there, how are you supposed to choose? Below are some factors you’ll want to consider while shopping around for a new hot water heater.

  • Fuel source: what source of energy does your home use natural gas or electricity?
  • Size: how much space is available for your new water heater?
  • Volume: tank-type water heaters are characterized by how many gallons of water they can hold. For example, for a family of 3 or 4, a 50-60-gallon tank would suffice.
  • Energy-efficiency: you may want to look for Energy Star Certified water heaters

If your water heater is reaching the end of its lifespan, you’ll want to consider replacing it with a new, energy-efficient model. From gas water heaters to tankless on-demand water heaters, there are many types of water heaters out on the market. If you need help determining which water heater will best fit your needs and your budget, consider contacting your local plumber like D&F Plumbing, Heating and Cooling. We’ll help you find the perfect water heater and professionally install it!