The Dog Days of Summers

dogdaysThe Old Farmer’s Almanac lists the traditional period of the Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3rd and ending August 11th. These are the times for summer vacations, cook outs with family and friends, swimming, and extra baths for our four-legged family members.

The heat and humidity forces us to increase water and electricity consumption. Here are four things you can do to help offset the increased costs of summer.

  1. Consider upgrading your water heater. There are more efficient water heater choices available today, including tankless and hybrid models. The GE Geospring hybrid water heater saves consumers an average of $365 a year and is up to 62% more efficient than regular electric water heaters. To put that in perspective, a standard 50 gal electric water heater uses 4500 watt elements which is equal to forty-five (45) 100 watt light bulbs. The GE Geospring uses 550 watt elements in hybrid mode which is equal to five and one-half (5 1/2) 100 watt light bulbs! Learn more at http://www.geappliances.com/heat-pump-hot-water-heater/
  2. Tankless water heaters save energy by providing continuous hot water, instead of storing water in the tank and having to maintain a constant temperature like conventional tanked models. Learn more at http://www.rheem.com/product/condensing-tankless-ecosense-condensing-95-outdoor
  3. Get that leak fixed! Have you noticed an abnormal increase in your water bill? A persistent soggy area in your yard? Do you have a leaky hose bib? Perhaps you’ve seen evidence of moisture on a ceiling, wall, or floor inside your home. Even the smallest of leaks can cause damage and unnecessary water use. Most utility service companies will allow an adjustment to your water bill, annually, upon providing proof that a leak was repaired.
  4. Consider installing low-flow toilets. Most people don’t realize how much of our water toilets hog. After outdoor irrigation, toilets consume the most water in a residential home. Flushing a toilet accounts for 14 percent of the water used both inside and outside a home. And if you measure only indoor appliances, the percentage of water used by toilets goes even higher. Flushing a toilet uses 38 percent, or more than a third of the water, utilized indoors in the typical U.S. home. Read the entire article at http://home.howstuffworks.com/appliances/energy-efficient/low-flow-toilet.htm.

NCWaterHeaters.com is a full service plumbing company in Raleigh and surrounding areas, including Johnston and Harnett counties! We provide free estimates and take pride in providing customers with superior plumbing service and workmanship at reasonable prices. Contact us today at (919) 868-3585.

Owned and operated by Dave Noffsinger, a Master Plumber with more than 17 years of experience, NC Water Heaters treats all its clients like family. To ensure the best possible customer service, Dave answers every call personally, day or night.