Action Plumbing, HVAC, & Electric

Your Local Plumbing, HVAC, & Electric Experts

Category: Heating

Showering without hot water? Washing dishes in a lukewarm abyss? The quest for the perfect home water heater ignites a fiery debate: gas or electric?

Both options heat your water, but understanding their key differences can help you crown the champion for your home:

Fueling the Flame:

  • Gas Water Heaters: These fiery warriors burn natural gas or propane to heat water directly. They offer faster heating rates and often come at a lower initial cost. However, installation can be more complex and gas lines require maintenance.
  • Electric Water Heaters: These clean titans utilize electricity to power heating elements submerged in the water tank. They’re more eco-friendly and easier to install, but typically have slower heating times and higher running costs depending on your electricity rates.

The Cost Conundrum:

  • Initial Cost: Gas water heaters generally have a lower upfront price, while electric models tend to be pricier.
  • Operating Cost: Gas water heaters usually boast lower running costs thanks to the efficiency of burning fuel. However, if electricity rates are low in your area, an electric model might be more economical.
  • Installation & Maintenance: Gas water heaters require professional installation and potential gas line maintenance. Electric models are easier to install but may require upgrades to your electrical system.

Choosing Your Champion:

Consider these factors to find your perfect water heater match:

  • Budget: Can you afford a potentially higher initial cost for an electric model or are you looking for a lower upfront price tag?
  • Energy Efficiency: Are you prioritizing eco-friendliness and potentially lower running costs with an electric option, or are you comfortable with natural gas or propane?
  • Availability: Is there a readily available gas line to your home, or are you limited to electricity?
  • Space & Installation: Do you have space for a larger tank that comes with a gas heater, or is the more compact size of an electric model preferable?

Need Back-Up?

Still unsure which water heater to choose? Don’t let this hot debate leave you in the cold! 

Our skilled technicians can assess your needs. They can also discuss the pros and cons of each option. Additionally, they can recommend the perfect water heater for a comfortable home and enjoyable showers.

Remember, choosing the right water heater is an investment in your comfort and home’s value. With the help of Action Plumbing, you can navigate the Great Water Heater Debate and crown the ideal champion for your needs. Let our expertise flow seamlessly into your home and ensure you never face a lukewarm future!

Contact Action Plumbing Heating, Air, & Electrical today and turn up the heat on your water heater happiness!

Smart thermostats like Nest, Ecobee, or Honeywell Home save energy and offer convenient heating/cooling with WiFi. But they can be tricky for DIY installation in some home setups. Here are some important points to consider.

Before you purchase and install a connected thermostat, consider the following:

HVAC System Compatibility

First, check if your HVAC system works with the smart thermostat model you want. It’s an important step. These thermostats rely on constant power through a C wire connection. If your system lacks a C wire, the thermostat may lose power intermittently, causing programming issues.

Some brands offer workarounds, but having our technicians install a C wire is best. We’ll inspect your system wiring as part of a no-cost estimate.

Installation Complexity

Basic smart thermostat installations are fairly straightforward if you already have a C wire. But some households require more complex installations involving rewiring the C wire connection.

Our seasoned HVAC technicians at Action Plumbing & Heating handle hundreds of thermostat installations annually across all types of heating/cooling systems. We know the most efficient process for retrofitting older systems to support smart thermostats. Let us handle any wiring intricacies!

Smart Features to Consider

Today’s smart thermostats come packed with convenience features. As you shop models, consider must-have capabilities:

  • Temperature sensors in different zones
  • Alexa/Google integration for voice control
  • Advanced programming/automation options
  • Humidity level regulation
  • Remote access via WiFi/smartphone
  • Intuitive mobile app dashboard
  • Data insights on energy usage

We can explain the leading smart thermostat options—brands like Nest, Ecobee, Honeywell, Emerson—to match the features that best suit your household needs and budget.

Professional Guidance Makes All the Difference!

Upgrading to a smart thermostat is an investment that can pay off for years through greater home comfort and energy savings. Our experts at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric make the process hassle-free! We will provide a free assessment to assist you with your system. This assessment will cover the installation plan, the best brands, and advanced features that are suitable for your home’s needs. Invest in convenience and savings the smart way—call us or visit us today! 

Efficiency and energy savings are important concepts for many homeowners, but how you accomplish them may differ somewhat between the time of year. Especially in place like Utah, with such varying temperatures and climate conditions throughout a given calendar year, knowing how to adjust your system for maximum efficiency in every season is valuable.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help. We offer year-round HVAC services that will help keep your system efficient and operating at peak capacity, from air conditioner and furnace maintenance and tune-ups through major system replacement, smart thermostat installation and more. As we enter the fall season, one that’s traditionally used by homeowners to transition their space from the hot Utah summer into the cold, snowy winter, what are some general tips we offer our clients on keeping their systems functioning efficiently? Here are several.

Change Thermostat Settings

When you’ve decided the time is right, one of the big transitional themes during the fall period for your HVAC system is changing your thermostat settings. This takes very little time, requires no HVAC service or maintenance and will save you money on your utility bills.

If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure to change the “hold” function that’s in effect during the summertime. This will keep your system from constantly running when you’re at work or too far away to notice it. If this was not done, and you notice your system is still running during the hours you’re away, even though it’s warm outside and there’s no one home to benefit from it, simply push “hold” for as long as necessary until your next programming session.

If you don’t have a programmable thermostat and would like to invest in one, you’ll receive ongoing energy savings by programming it to adjust the temperature in your home when you’re not there. If you work during the day or tend to be away for long stretches of time, this is a great way to cut big costs on your utility bills.

Change Air Filter

Another huge factor in HVAC efficiency, one that’s present throughout the year, is the presence of clean, high-quality air filters. If one is already present, make sure it’s in good condition and replace it if necessary. Filters do a great job of preventing dust, airborne allergens and other contaminants from entering your system and creating problems for its operation, which will cost you money at best and cause serious damage at worst.

The type of filter you use is also a big consideration. High-efficiency filters will catch more contaminants and reduce the number of times your system must work harder to make up for them, saving you money on maintenance costs over time.

Ductwork Upkeep

If your ducts have not been inspected or cleaned for several years, the fall is often the ideal time to do it. Dust accumulates faster during the fall months, when your system is working harder to cool down your house before winter arrives, and doing this work on a regular basis can save you hundreds on energy costs over time. Call one of our technicians today for more information about scheduling ductwork maintenance.

Baseboard or Radiant Heater Prep

If your home utilizes baseboard heating, radiant heating or any other method that uses something other than traditional air ducts for late fall and winter heating, the early fall is ideal for adjusting your system settings to accommodate the temperature drop. This mostly means ensuring there are no blockages or dirt buildups in important vent areas — remove furniture or any other potential blockers that might interrupt the flow of warm air once the cold weather eventually hits.

Close Fireplace Flue

If your fireplace flue wasn’t already closed during the summer season, it’s important to do this on a regular basis, especially during the fall months. Keeping the flue open is a safety hazard and ensures all heat is lost up into your chimney instead of your living space — meaning you won’t feel as comfortable as you should due to the fact that some of your heat will be escaping, a factor that also puts a strain on your HVAC system and raises your monthly utility bills.

Lower Dishwasher and Washing Machine Temperatures

As the weather gets colder outside, systems that use hot water — such as your dishwasher, washing machine and others — have to work harder. This is because the water they’re pulling into your home begins at a cooler point than it would during summer, causing your HVAC system to heat it as a supplement. If your dishwasher and washing machine aren’t set to lower temperatures, these tough-working systems will have to burn more energy to manage the load.

For this reason, it pays to lower the temperatures for these machines by just a few degrees once the weather turns cold. You’ll still get the same amount of cleaning results while also helping your HVAC system maintain its energy consumption.

Professional HVAC Maintenance

Finally, the fall is a perfect time to have your HVAC system inspected and maintained by a professional. Ensuring your system is in good working order and fully prepared for the temperature drops and changing weather conditions of winter ensures that you’ll end up saving on energy while also enjoying more comfortable living conditions.

To learn more about HVAC fall energy savings or schedule a visit from our team of service technicians, all you need to do is pick up the phone and call us right now. Call the pros at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the common mistakes made by homeowners during the winter as they look to heat their homes. While many of these are well-intentioned or based on understandable gaps in knowledge, they can lead to issues ranging from spiking heating bills up to long-term stress and damage to your HVAC system.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help not only provide your home with proper HVAC equipment like furnace installation and repair, but also offer expertise on the use and maintenance of these components. What are some of the other common mistakes we help our clients avoid as they look to heat their home both affordably and comfortably this winter? Here are a few to keep in mind.

Curtains and Window Concerns

Curtains and window dressings are an area where homeowners should be proceeding in the opposite manner from the summer period. During warm season, keeping blinds or curtains closed during the heat of the day is a great way to limit the home’s interior temperature – during the winter, on the other hand, these should be opened during the day to allow the sun to assist in warming the home. This is free heat you should not avoid.

In addition, always ensure windows are properly closed and locked. You might be shocked how much harder your furnace and HVAC system will have to work to heat the home if even a small gap is present in certain windows, allowing air out when it should be kept in.

Vent Closing

Some homeowners assume that closing all vents in rooms that aren’t being used is a way to save on heating costs. This is not true – ducts in your home are meant to heat the entire area evenly, and will stop working correctly if you close vents unevenly. HVAC professionals recommend keeping all vents in the home open even if you aren’t using certain areas or rooms.

Leaks or Drafts

If you notice any drafts of cold air where there shouldn’t be, or especially if you find leaks, gaps or full-on cracks in your entryways, door areas or similar locations, these should be attended to right away. Leaving them alone will only cause them to worsen, and as we noted above, even small gaps leading to air loss will cause enormous strain on the furnace – and a rise in your heating bill simultaneously.

Regular Maintenance

Finally, perhaps the single largest mistake you can make this season is putting off annual HVAC maintenance. Best done twice a year, during the fall and spring, this maintenance allows us to ensure your system is in good shape headed into a new season – we’ll inspect the entire setup, ensure there are no minor issues that require repair and set you up for the season ahead.

For more on avoiding common heating mistakes during the winter, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

There are several examples of words or terms in the English language that just don’t make a whole lot of sense, and one that fits right into the HVAC world is duct tape. The word “duct” included in this title seems to pretty clearly indicate that this tape will be effective for sealing or otherwise repairing HVAC air ducts – but in reality, this is not the case at all, and duct tape is not recommended for these uses at all.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re happy to offer numerous HVAC services, from AC or furnace installation to many duct-related themes, including installation of ductless mini-split heating systems for those who want to remove any duct concerns whatsoever. We’re also here to steer you away from certain homeowner HVAC mistakes, one of the most common of which is using duct tape for HVAC ducts when this should never be done. This two-part blog will go over why duct tape and other forms of HVAC tape are limited at best in their efficacy when it comes to duct sealing or repairs, and generally should not be used for these purposes.

History of Duct Tape

For starters, it’s helpful to understand the history of duct tape to grasp exactly why it’s become such a misnomer today. Duct tape was created during the World War I period, originally meant as a consumer-grade tape that was meant for ammunition boxes. At the time, it was actually known as “duck” tape – either because it was made with duck cloth or because of the images its water-resistant properties invoked of water slipping off a duck’s back.

By the 1950s, however, this name had changed. Somehow, with folks assuming this tape would be useful for their air ducts, the term shifted to duct tape. However, as we’ll dig into further in our subsequent sections, duct tape is not actually useful for these purposes – more below.

Moisture Concerns

One of the top concerns with modern forms of HVAC tape, including duct tape, is moisture reaction. Many ducts will deal with water vapor and moisture, plus could have crack or leak issues that cause small amounts of condensed water to seep out. If you’re attempting to cover these issues with HVAC tape, it will not properly prevent this moisture leakage, leading to mold issues, water damage and other concerns.

Temperature Issues

Another major problem with duct tape is its inability to resist temperature changes. Your air ducts go through a wide range of temperatures throughout the year, but these fluctuations will wear down duct tape and cause it to lose its adhesive properties fairly quickly. What good is a sealant tape for an HVAC system if it can’t stay attached? None, really.

For more on why duct tape isn’t actual meant for your air ducts, or to learn about any of our HVAC or plumbing services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basic tips for homeowners looking to limit the strain on their plumbing system during the summer. The summer is often the toughest period for a given home’s plumbing system due to increased needs for water and usage of various plumbing fixtures, but you might be surprised how much you can alleviate this stress with some extremely basic tactics.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re proud to offer a wide array of residential plumbing services, from standard plumbing maintenance like summer upkeep to larger areas like trenchless sewer line repair and many others. In today’s part two, we’ll go over a few additional themes to keep an eye on, whether on your own or with the assistance of our handy plumbers for any areas you’re not comfortable managing.

Care While Gardening

The summer is the most popular season of the year for gardening for some relatively apparent reasons, but it just requires some very basic care for those who want to be sure they do not impact their plumbing system in any way. This is especially true for anyone who plans to do significant digging, whether for the purposes of planting, landscaping or something else.

Why is this a concern? Well, because sewer, gas and possibly other utility lines are placed under lawns in residential areas. If you accidentally dig into these, you could be looking at incredibly expensive repairs, not to mention hazards. If you have any significant digging plans, you should find out where your utility lines are before you plant – particularly the sewer line, which can lead to major leakage and related issues if it’s dug into.

Water Heater Temperature

Another theme the summer is generally a common time of year for: Vacations and trips, whether we’re talking cross-country adventures, weekend camping trips with the family or any other variety. One handy plumbing tip for whenever you take such excursions is to turn your water heater temperature down much lower than usual – this will not only limit strain on the system and give it a break for a few days, but will also save you money on your power bill at the end of the month for heating services that you won’t need while out of the house.

Connections and Leaks

Finally, particularly for homes with kids out of school for the summer, appliances like dishwashers and washing machines will see heavy work this time of year. Periodically, be sure to check basic connections and hookups to ensure there are no leaks or other issues forming, concerns that may lead to major water loss and an increase in your monthly bill.

For more on tactics to alleviate strain on your plumbing system this summer, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the common reasons why you might have begun to notice slow hot water being provided to certain taps or fixtures in your home. There are several potential culprits behind this event, ranging from the distance of your fixtures to the hot water heater to the quality of the heater itself and several others.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re proud to offer a wide variety of water heater repair and replacement services to help remedy any such concerns, including tankless water heaters that provide on-demand water and limit any concerns of proper temperature. In today’s part two, we’ll go over a few additional potential causes of slow hot water, including a primer on water heater tank recovery periods for such systems.

Improper Sizing

In some cases, your system’s issues with providing hot water fast enough to all fixtures may actually trace back to the water heater’s initial installation. Whether due to a mistake by a previous HVAC company, an increase in family size or some other cause, the current water heater might actually be far too small to service your entire home.

When this is the case, it will not have the capacity to handle the regular requests for hot water throughout the home. If this is the situation, our plumbers will be able to quickly identify this problem based on simple volume, plus recommend a larger upgrade to meet your needs.

Water Heater Failure

In other situations, the simple reality will be that your water heater has run its standard lifespan and is now wearing down after many years. If your water heater was installed at least a decade ago or has shown other signs of wear-and-tear over recent years, they may either fail suddenly or simply become less effective over a period of time.

Again, our plumbers are here to help. We’re happy to assess your water heater and recommend to you whether repairs might solve your concerns or whether an upgrade to a new system is your most cost-effective option.

Recovery Times

Finally, for all homes using a tank-style water heater, recovery times must be considered. These refer to how long it takes the tank to re-heat and deliver more hot water once it’s depleted its current stores, and they will depend on several factors:

  • Size of the tank (larger tanks take longer to recover, but also have larger initial capacities)
  • Fuel type (electric heaters take about twice as long to reheat as gas heaters)
  • FHR: Short for first hour rating, this is a metric where the higher it is, the shorter your recovery time
  • Temperature rise: The temperature of your incoming water makes a huge difference, as cold water takes much longer to heat than warm water

In most cases, it will take a standard 80-gallon gas water heater roughly an hour to recover after being fully depleted. Our plumbers will advise you on whether your time might be shorter or longer.

For more on understanding why your hot water supply is slow arriving, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

No one wants to wait around for their hot water supply, and you’re probably wondering what’s going on if long waiting periods have begun to show up for some of your home’s hot water fixtures. Why is a given shower, tub or any other fixture taking so long for water to heat up?

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’re here to help. We offer a huge variety of water heater repair and replacement services, including offering high-quality tankless water heaters that provide water on-demand so you’re never stuck waiting for a slow heating process again. There are several reasons you may be experiencing slowness with your hot water heater, some of which can be easily remedied while others tie back to installation or related themes. This two-part blog will dig into everything you need to know in this realm.

Simple Distance Themes

In some cases, particularly in larger homes or areas where significant plumbing pipes are required to transport water from the heater to the fixture that requires it, the reason for slow heating traces back to this distance. It simply takes a bit longer for hot water to make its way through a longer set of pipes to a distant faucet or showerhead.

Homeowners in this situation often find numerous benefits from a tankless water heater installation. Instead of having to wait for water to travel through pipes, this system provides hot water on-demand for all your fixtures immediately.

Sediment Buildup

Maybe the most common issue that leads to slow hot water delivery, and luckily one that’s easily remedied, is the buildup of sediment and minerals in your water heater tank. Various loose minerals will be present in the water, sinking and settling at the bottom of your tank. When this reaches a significant enough point, this sediment will block the hot water outlet pipe either partially or even completely, stopping hot water from flowing out at the normal rate. This sediment will also block heat transfer from the heating element to the water itself.

As we noted, however, sediment buildup can be removed. Just call our plumbers to flush your water heater and drain this sediment.

Volume Restrictor

In other cases, you may have some kind of volume restrictor present on various fixtures in your home. A good example here is a low-flow showerhead, which is meant to lower the amount of water pressure and overall water used – but in some cases, it may not be working properly and could lead to issues with hot water flow and timing. In these situations, our plumbers will usually be able to make some basic tweaks to any restrictors in place to solve the problem.

For more on the potential causes of slow hot water in your fixtures, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric today.

If your home is in need of a new water heater in the near future, a modern upgrade you should be strongly considering is the tankless water heater. Also known as an on-demand water heater, the tankless water heater removes the traditional tank from the equation, instead providing hot water through an on-demand heating component that brings several distinct benefits, including major water savings and several convenience areas as well.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we’re happy to offer the highest quality in tankless water heaters available today, plus experienced plumbers who will help with every area of water heater replacement. Perhaps the single most common question our plumbing contractors get when considering a tankless water heater for their home: What size unit should I be purchasing and installing to meet my home’s water needs? Here are the important factors that help determine the answer to this question.

Flow Rate Requirements

The first metric to be aware of is flow rate, which refers to the amount of hot water the tankless unit is able to produce. Flow rate is generally listed using gallons per minute (gpm), and your unit must have the requisite capacity to meet the needs of all your fixtures.

When you have the expected flow rate of the various fixtures in your home, you can use this information – combined with how often you expect given fixtures to be used during peak times – to determine the total flow rate the system needs to be able to handle. Keep in mind here that tankless water heaters generally restrict you to one or two simultaneous water activities. As a reference, here are the average flow rates found in low-flow plumbing fixtures:

  • Showerhead: 2.5 gpm
  • Bathroom faucet: 1.0 gpm
  • Tub faucet: 4.0 gpm
  • Kitchen faucet: 1.5 gpm
  • Washing machine: 2.0 gpm
  • Dishwasher: 1.5 gpm

Temperature Rise Factors

The other major factor to be aware of when sizing your new tankless water heater is the temperature rise, which describes the temperature of the water when entering the system compared to how hot you need it to be when it comes out of your fixture. This involves knowing the average groundwater temperature in your region, something our pros can inform you of. You need a unit capable of delivering a temperature rise within your basic range, which will help determine the size you choose.

Combination Listings

In most cases as you browse tankless water heater models, flow rate and temperature rise metrics will be listed as a combination. For instance, units will provide their flow rate based on the required temperature rise – the former will often change based on the latter. Both must be considered when sizing your tankless heater.

For more on choosing the proper size for a new tankless water heater, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the basics and benefits associated with mini-split ductless HVAC systems. These systems, which combine a wall-mounted indoor unit and an outside compressor, are intended for smaller areas or situations where you require independent temperature control between specific rooms or spaces within your home or building.

At Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical, we offer a variety of mini-split ductless systems to fill all your needs. What are some of the situations or circumstances where installing a mini-split ductless HVAC system into your home or building might be the best choice? That’s what we’re looking at in today’s part two of our series.

New Home Additions

One of the most popular formats wherein ductless systems are often utilized is when homeowners are performing a new construction project on their space that involves adding a new level, a new room, a new garage or any other kind of significant addition. In these situations, ductless HVAC systems make the entire process far easier because they do not require specifically-sized ducts – they will naturally size themselves for the new space.

In addition, ductless mini-split systems can operate independently when installed. This means you do not need to mess with your current HVAC system, even if it’s not a ductless one. The new system will be installed as its own separate entity and will function as such.

Independent Zones

Most standard HVAC systems have a single thermostat for the whole house, meaning everyone in the space has to deal with the temperature that’s decided upon. Mini-split ductless systems, though, allow for independent temperature zones based on rooms or areas in the home – you can install up to eight separate zones in a given home, meaning each person in the home can control their own temperature.

Downsizing and Energy Savings

If you’re in a situation where certain rooms in your home aren’t being used, you may want to conserve energy by closing off vents and conditioned air to these rooms. But you may not realize that this practice can lead to pressure imbalances in a normal HVAC system, damaging its components – as you may have guessed, though, there’s no such strain placed on a ductless system, where you can simply set these rooms for less stressful temperatures. You can also simply install a ductless system for your most-used rooms, then leave the lesser-used rooms with the existing HVAC system running on a low level.

No Existing Ductwork

Finally, for any kind of an installation or remodel process that involves structural changes, mini-split ductless systems are ideal. This is particularly true in cases where you’re looking to install a new HVAC component, but the home does not have existing ductwork in place – the new installation will be both cheaper and more efficient using a mini-split ductless system.

For more on mini-split ductless HVAC systems, or to learn about any of our plumbing or HVAC services, speak to the staff at Action Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electrical today.

Select Your Location

    Select Your Location