A while back I wrote a column in which I explained the new light bulb legislation.

I lamented the complexity of the law. But I was able to find solace in the fact that the light bulbs of the future will be good even for those of us in the non-bureaucratic real world who, at the end of the day, just need light.

Since then, there is something new and it could impact consumers as much as its luminous predecessor.

In an effort to curb energy consumption, the U.S. Department of Energy concluded that water heaters are inefficient and must be redesigned to meet a higher standard.

The details of the legislation are still a little sketchy.

But what is certain is that it affects all phases of the industry. While it will certainly result in energy savings over the long haul, it could have some immediate disadvantages.

A rough outline of the mandate indicates that while all water heaters have insulation, most will require more.

The result will be heavier tanks larger in both diameter and height. Gas-fired models may be required to have a redesigned vent system and possibly an improved ignition design.

Tanks larger than 55 gallons may be subject to a more advanced set of standards as well as additional upgrades.

Questions remain about how manufacturers will make all of this come together and what ramifications will trickle down to the user.

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Energy-saving mandate could put us in hot water

The Florida Home Partnership is providing free water heater blankets to area residents as part of its continuing energy conservation efforts. Water heater blanket packages can be reserved, and then picked up at the partnerships main office at 201 14th Ave. SE, Suite H, Ruskin.

On average, water heating costs homeowners between $400 and $600 annually, said Earl Pfeiffer, the partnerships executive director. One way to cut this cost is to insulate the water heater, which can reduce standby heat losses by 25 to 45 percent.

Making these blankets available to the community is consistent with our mission of helping keep the cost of housing low, he continued. Energy efficiency is one major way to control home operating costs.

A short, six-minute video on how to install the blankets is available at http://www.flhome.org. While newer water heater models may not need the additional insulation, homeowners with models older than 10 years, that are warm to the touch or have an R value of less than 24, may.

The water heater blanket packages, including written installation instructions, are available while supplies last. Residents are limited to one blanket per home but residents with two tanks can request an additional package. Apartment and business owners may also make special requests to reserve packages.

Scheduled pick-up times are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Packages must be picked up within one week of the reservation, otherwise they may be redistributed without notice.

To reserve a package, call (813) 672-7889 or email sara@flhome.org.

Read more here:
Does your water heater need insulation?

Water Heater Install Raleigh NC 2

By: Your Service Professional

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Water Heater Install Raleigh NC 2 - Video

Total Installation Cost Range: $850 - $2,000 Average Materials Cost: Average Labor Cost: Avg. Time to Complete: 6-8 Hours, 2 Installers

Usually Includes: Tankless Water Heater, Labor, Tools & Supplies

When you want to have instant hot water or want to use the water in their home more efficiently, the installation of a tankless water heater may be the right answer.

If you have a tankless water heater installed in your home you can also save space by removing your bulky tank water heater that is constantly losing heat. With a tankless model, the water stays hot all the time and your utility bills may be lowered as much as 24% to 34% less, according to the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute.

Most often,tankless water heater installation is done by a plumber or HVAC contractor and most of the cost is based on what tankless water heater you want installed, as well as the complexity of the installation. On average, a tankless water heater can be installed in under 8 hours by a plumber and their apprentice. This job may take longer and additional fees will most likely be involved if there is extensive prep work that is needed or if there is a need for additional plumbing or pipes.

In this guide, youll learn about the tankless water heater installation processes and any special skills or tools you may need. The cost to install a tankless water heater could be affected by many different factors and we will help you understand more about those items and how to get cost savings.

Tankless water heater installation estimates will usually include:

A plumbing contractor will most likely use the table of supplies and tools listed below to install a tankless water heater. This list is fairly extensive, but to be completely prepared you should probably have all of these on-hand if you want to try out a tankless water heater installation on your own. You or your helper should have quite a bit of knowledge in plumbing and wiring before you try to do the job yourself.

Your total tankless water heater cost can be effected by many factors. If any modifications are needed in either the wiring or plumbing, there will be additional costs. As an example, if you currently have a tank water heater in your utility closet where the pipes come in at the bottom of the wall, there may be a need to re-route piping so that the tankless can be installed where the water temperature is at its prime. Installing the tankless in the correct location helps with the flow and speed of the water.

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Compare Tankless Water Heater Installation Costs

News

Friday, January 16, 2015

By KATHY CLEVELAND

Staff Writer

A couple of weeks ago, someone living in the outskirts of Brookline got very lucky.

A passerby noticed smoke coming from the front porch and called for help, and fire damage was confined to a small area of the porch.

The problem was wood ashes a common cause of winter fires when they arent disposed of properly, Brookline Assistant Fire Chief Scott Knowles said.

January is a peak month for house fires, and local fire officials have some tips for avoiding the devastation of a winter fire.

These fires are usually caused by heating equipment, and on average, wood stoves, fireplaces and other forms of alternate heat are involved in more than 60,000 reported U.S. home structure fires a year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable, J. William Degnan, state fire marshal, said in one of his recent newsletters.

Read more from the original source:
Fire officials warn of winter dangers

Tankless Water Heater Install | Fort Worth Plumber | Dfw Plumbing
http://www.slableakdetectionandrepair.com 817-606-8737 Fort Worth Slab Leak Detection and Repair company Morgan Leak Detection and plumbing.

By: Cliff Morgan

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Tankless Water Heater Install | Fort Worth Plumber | Dfw Plumbing - Video

News

Friday, January 16, 2015

By KATHY CLEVELAND

Staff Writer

A couple of weeks ago, someone living in the outskirts of Brookline got very lucky.

A passerby noticed smoke coming from the front porch and called for help, and fire damage was confined to a small area of the porch.

The problem was wood ashes a common cause of winter fires when they arent disposed of properly, Brookline Assistant Fire Chief Scott Knowles said.

January is a peak month for house fires, and local fire officials have some tips for avoiding the devastation of a winter fire.

These fires are usually caused by heating equipment, and on average, wood stoves, fireplaces and other forms of alternate heat are involved in more than 60,000 U.S. home structure fires a year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

While these numbers are frightening, nearly all of these fires are preventable, J. William Degnan, state fire marshal, said in one of his recent newsletters.

More:
Fire officials from Merrimack, Brookline and Bedford warn of winter dangers

Tenants of one Brooklyn building struggling to get heat in bitterly cold temperatures finally get relief after getting help from "NY1 For You." NY1's Susan Jhun filed this follow up report.

These days when renter Tracy Berkley comes home he can take off his jacket without freezing.

"I no longer have to get up three or four times a night to check my space heater or run the shower for twenty minutes to heat the bathroom up," Berkley says.

That's a luxury for the Brooklyn tenant who we first told you about last week. Berkley had been living without any heat since November when a fire broke the building's boiler, leaving the asthmatic renter in the cold, using any means to stay warm.

"I've got the oven on and I've got the electric heaters on and I've got blankets," Berkley says.

Berkley told us a new boiler was installed after the fire and turned on briefly but since then he said the building manager refused to turn the heat back on.

We contacted the manager for the building and he told us even though a new boiler was installed and heat could be provided, the pipe line size was not big enough for the boiler, cooking gas and hot water heater.

He said he knew it was cold and that's why he was encouraging tenants to move out.

We contacted the Department of Housing Preservation & Development and National Grid, and the two agencies came out immediately to work to get the heat back on.

"I am so grateful for NY1. I'm grateful to have heat," Berkley says.

Here is the original post:
NY1 For You: Brooklyn Tenant Gets Heat After Months in Cold

Ruskin, FL (PRWEB) January 13, 2015

Florida Home Partnership (FHP), a non-profit housing developer, continues its energy conservation efforts by providing water heater blankets at no cost to residents of Hillsborough and Pasco Counties. Water heater blanket packages are available for pick-up at the FHP main office in Ruskin or at the model home office in Dade City, Florida. Homeowners and renters are eligible to reserve packages. The only requirement necessary is "having a hot water heater in your home."

On average, water heating costs homeowners between $400 and $600 annually. One way to cut this cost is to insulate the water heater which can reduce standby heat losses by 25%-45%, remarked Earl Pfeiffer, FHPs executive director. Making these blankets available to the community is consistent with our mission of helping keep the cost of housing low. Energy efficiency is one major way to control home operating costs.

A short six minute video is available on FHPs website, http://www.flhome.org, demonstrating how to install a water heater blanket. While newer water heater models may not need additional insulation, homeowners can determine the need for insulation if the tank

Water heater blanket packages including written installation instructions are available beginning Monday, January 12, 2015, and are available while supplies last. Residents are limited to one blanket per home. Residents with two tanks may request an additional package. Apartment and business owners may also make special requests to reserve packages.

Scheduled pick-up times are Monday Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the FHP main office on 201 14th Ave, SE, Suite H, Ruskin or in Dade City at the Sunset Hills model home office (36982 Sol Vista Drive, Dade City). Packages must be picked-up within one week of the reservation, otherwise items may be redistributed without notice.

To reserve a package, call FHP's main office at the 813.672.7889 or email sara(at)flhome(dot)org.

About the Florida Home Partnership Florida Home Partnership (FHP) is a non-profit Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) that offers affordable homeownership opportunities to low and moderate-income first-time homebuyers through the USDA Self-help Homeownership Program, townhome ownership, and affordable rentals. The agency also manages Hillsborough County (FL) Homeowner Rehabilitation Program.For more information about the program, call 813-672-7860 or visit http://www.flhome.org, friend us at - http://www.facebook.com/Floridahome, follow us at - @flhome1.

Read more from the original source:
Florida Home Partnership Distributes Free Water Heater Blankets

Tenants in one Queens building are dealing without heat as temperatures stay cold in the city. NY1's Michael Herzenberg filed the following report.

"Its very cold in here, you have to go to bed with robes and socks. Thats crazy because there's no heat, said Woodside resident Earlene Jenkins.

Jenkins says her heat doesn't work.

It's not cold in her Woodside Public Houses apartment, but she says that's because she constantly boils water on her stove which fire officials say is unsafe and she uses a space heater.

The pipe in the bathroom is hot to the touch, but the rest of the radiators aren't.

It's much the same scene from the first floor to the sixth floor of her building and Jenkins says she's worried about her 91-year-old father who lives with her.

"How dare they not give my father, 91 years old, heat. How dare they. He has to walk around with robes, she said.

"There's no heat, it's terrible, said her father.

"They said they would come and fix it and nothing has been about it, said resident Luis Bernal. They did come but they said everything would be fine and they're still no heat at all.

NYCHA says building 31-49 was experience gas pressure problem that has been fixed. Officials say they will continue to check on the apartments but residents are skeptical of any real improvements.

Original post:
Woodside Tenants Suffer Without Heat During Deep Freeze