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3 Amazing Benefits of Water Softeners

How Water Softeners Work to Benefit the Household

Many people aren't aware of how water softeners work or the benefits they provide. After all, for some homeowners, the most they know about hard water is that it's technically safe to drink, cook with, and bathe in. While this is true, many effects of hard water are overlooked by this overarching statement. Just because hard water is safe to drink doesn't mean it doesn't come with other negative effects. In fact, in areas with particularly hard water, the cost of installing and maintaining a water-softening system is offset in just a few years.

Many homeowners also like water softeners for another reason: They provide a better quality of life, which is hard to price. Read on to learn more about the benefits of water softeners.

Better Cleaning

Hard water is simply water with many minerals, such as magnesium and calcium. One of the effects of these high concentrations is the water's inability to wash away soap scum fully. This leaves unsightly spots on dishes and a soapy film on almost anything the water touches. This is why homes with hard water often have near-permanent whitish rings around faucets, drains, and basins. No matter how much scrubbing the homeowners do, these rings are hard to remove or return quickly.

Likewise, washing clothes in hard water can cause them to fade, making them look worn even when they're brand new. Sometimes, dark clothes come out of the washer looking nearly as dirty as when they went in. But with a whole-house water softener installed, these issues fade away like the unsightly spots left over from hard water!

Longer Lasting Pipes and Appliances

Hard water isn't just tough on clothes, dishes, and water basins. It can also be tough on pipes and appliances. The appliance that takes the brunt of the abuse is the water heater. When hard water is heated, the calcium in the water turns into limescale buildup inside the water heater. This can affect the water heater's efficiency, making it work harder to heat the water for the home. Limescale buildup can also decrease the life of the water heater.

But the damage doesn't stop there. Limescale can also build up in the pipes, which can cause clogs, leaks, and a shortened lifespan for the plumbing system. The same also goes for appliances like washing machines and clothes washers. Any appliance that uses hard water will become affected by limescale buildup. It may take years to show the ill effects, but it will happen. So when homeowners install a whole home water softener, they can rest easy knowing that they are taking good care of their appliances and pipes.

Better Skin and Hair Health

When hard water interacts with soap, it leaves a film on anything the soapy water touches. This is true for clothes, dishes, hair, and skin. Many homeowners who bathe in hard water notice this first in their hair, and the leftover residue that is difficult to wash out makes the hair look dull no matter what shampoo or conditioner is used.

Likewise, bathing in hard water can dry out the skin. When a soap-and-mineral residue is left on the skin, it pulls moisture out, leaving it unhealthy. Some people also complain of itchy skin after bathing in hard water. But with a water softener installed, homeowners can enjoy the feeling and look of skin that doesn't have a soapy residue left on it all day.

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has been serving San Antonio, TX, since 2007. They offer personalized solutions and comprehensive service, tailoring their solutions to the unique problems experienced by homeowners. Contact them today for water softener installation in San Antonio, TX.

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Four Reasons to Install a Tankless Water Heater

Who Are Tankless Water Heaters Right For?

Tankless water heaters are a relatively new technology. And like any new technology, it's common for people to be initially unsure about them. Especially since they cost more than their storage tank counterparts, this slightly higher upfront cost shouldn't discourage homeowners from learning about tankless water heaters. For most households, the benefits of tankless water heater installation far outweigh the drawbacks. Read on to learn four reasons to install a tankless water heater.

Less Energy and More Savings

The concept behind tankless water heaters is increased efficiency all around. There's no storage tank, whether the unit heats with gas or electricity. Tankless water heaters heat water quickly as it's needed. This means there's no need for the water heater to heat water even when unnecessary. This is how storage tank water heaters work, after all. They continue heating the water in the tank even if it won't be used for hours — or days. That's a lot of wasted energy.

Seeing how much saving this means for the average homeowner is amazing. While numbers will vary depending on the household's water usage, the average energy savings for a household using 41 gallons of hot water daily is as much as 34%! That translates to significant savings over the life of the tankless water heater.

Endless Hot Water and No Tank

Tankless water heaters are often called on-demand water heaters. This is a good indication of how they operate. Unlike a storage-tank water heater, there's no running out of hot water with a tankless heater. However, tankless water heaters can only heat so much water at a time. So it's possible to max out the hot water generated. This can happen when people or appliances use hot water at multiple faucets. This is why those homes with high simultaneous hot water usage often install more than one tankless heater.

When thinking about storage tank water heaters, finding a place to install a second one would be difficult, even if there was a reason for it. But this isn't the case with tankless heaters. These are much smaller than their old-fashioned counterparts. They can fit easily in smaller spaces, such as storage closets. This makes them ideal for use in space-challenged homes. It also makes multiple installations in bigger homes a simple matter.

Tankless Heaters Last Longer

In the head-to-head comparison of storage tank water heaters to tankless water heaters, the tankless option comes out on top regarding efficiency, hot water supply, and size. But what about longevity? Well, it's not much of a contest there, either.

The average storage tank water heater will last between ten and fifteen years. On the other hand, the average tankless water heater has an average life expectancy of twenty years. This is because there's no tank for the water to eat through after so many years. Sure, tankless water heaters still need regular maintenance. But with that maintenance, they will generally last much longer than their counterparts. This is why they're an excellent choice for anyone looking to replace their water heater — or to install a new one altogether.

About A&A Plumbing

A&A Plumbing has been proud to serve San Antonio, TX, since 2007. They perform a comprehensive assessment before ever starting to work, ensuring they're providing the personalized attention each customer needs. They also take pride in keeping each customer's property clean. Contact them today for tankless water heater installation in San Antonio, TX.

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Why Get Professional Water Heater Maintenance?

Avoid Getting Stuck Without Hot Water This Fall!

Hot water is such a ubiquitous part of everyday life in most American homes that it's easy to take it for granted. After all, it's used for everything from handwashing and bathing to doing laundry and washing dishes. So when the water heater goes on the fritz, everyone in the house feels the pain – especially as colder weather approaches.

Aside from old age, the leading cause of water heater failure is a lack of proper maintenance. And with the water heater tucked away in a garage, basement, or utility closet, it's easy to overlook or put off maintenance until it's too late. To ensure homeowners don't get stranded without hot water just as the chilly weather rolls in, this article will explain why routine water heater maintenance is so important, what it entails, and how to tell when the hot water heater is on the verge of a breakdown!

Benefits of Regular Water Heater Maintenance

Every homeowner should be aware of several water heater maintenance benefits. Firstly, it helps prevent unexpected breakdowns and other issues by addressing minor problems as early as possible. Along these lines, maintenance also helps prolong the unit's life by mitigating the effects of normal wear and tear.

A well-maintained water heater will also perform better and with greater energy efficiency, which can lead to lower energy bills. By improving the unit's efficiency and reducing or prolonging the need for water heater repair or replacement, routine maintenance can save homeowners loads of money in the long run!

What Is Included In Water Heater Maintenance?

During a water heater tune-up, a professional plumber will perform various tasks, which vary depending on the type of water heater.

When servicing a conventional water heater, the plumber will flush the hot water tank to remove sediment buildup, inspect the anode rod (a device that attracts corrosive substances to protect the tank shell) and replace it if necessary, and test the T&P (temperature & pressure) relief valve. They will also check electrical connections, safety devices, and burners, replacing, tightening, or cleaning anything that needs it.

Tankless water heater maintenance involves most of the same tasks, although there's no water tank to flush and no anode rod to replace. However, tankless water heaters must be flushed periodically since mineral scales can accumulate inside the unit, interfering with the heat exchanger's ability to heat the water.

Mineral scale and sediment buildup can crack heat exchangers, clog pipes, and damage storage tanks, so flushing a water heater is one of the most important parts of maintenance. Generally, it's best to do this once yearly for conventional units and every 1-2 years for tankless units.

Signs that the Water Heater Needs To Be Serviced

Suppose it's been more than one year since the water heater was last serviced. In that case, homeowners should consider scheduling water heater maintenance to ensure the unit is in good shape and operating smoothly. But there are a few other signs it might be time for water heater repair or maintenance:

The hot water runs out faster than usual
The water doesn't get as hot as usual, doesn't get hot at all, or comes out too hot
The water temperature fluctuates frequently
Low hot water pressure (particularly if the cold water seems to have normal pressure)
The hot water is discolored or smelly
Water is leaking from the water heater itself
The water heater is making strange sounds (popping, rumbling, hissing, whining, etc.)

If homeowners notice any of these signs, there's likely a problem with their water heater. A simple maintenance visit may resolve the issue, but in some cases, water heater repair may be necessary. But if the unit is very old (10+ years) or the storage tank is leaking, a water heater replacement may be more cost-effective. To properly diagnose and resolve the issue, homeowners should consult a qualified and reputable plumber!

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

Since opening its doors in 2007, A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling has become one of the most trusted and highly-rated plumbing companies in San Antonio. As an award-winning, family-owned local business, they are proud to offer up-front pricing, personalized solutions, and emergency plumbing service. They also offer a money-saving maintenance plan and guarantee 100% satisfaction on every job – so homeowners know they can count on A&A for water heater maintenance in San Antonio, TX!

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When Does a Home Need a Water Softener?

Understanding Hard Water

Water is called the universal solvent. What does that mean, exactly? It means that water can dissolve most things it comes into contact with. When water has dissolved a substance, that substance is carried around in the water until it is chemically removed or the water is distilled. This has huge implications for drinking water piped into homes daily.

In nature, water is distilled as it evaporates into the atmosphere to form clouds. As the vapor condenses and forms rain, it picks up substances it comes into contact with. Once rain hits the ground, it picks up minerals and runs off to a river or lake that may serve as a municipal water supply.

In many areas, the mineral profile of the soil allows water to pick up copious amounts of calcium and magnesium. These minerals are dissolved in water to a great extent that they can interfere with some aspects of modern plumbing. Here is a quick discussion about dealing with hard water by installing water softeners.

How Do Water Softeners Work?

The solvent qualities of water are one of the things that can make it so useful. When water is saturated with dissolved minerals, it can have a hard time dissolving things like treatment chemicals or anything intended to be washed off a surface. Removing hardness minerals from water allows water to behave better in useful ways.

To accomplish this, water softeners pull minerals out of residential water. Water softeners are installed at the service entrance where water lines enter the home. All of the water in the home is flushed across a bed of resin that captures ions. Periodically, the resin bed is flushed with a heavy brine to remove ions and refresh the resin bed. This process is automatic and goes on without any intervention from the owner.

Signs Hard Water Is Present

Most people may be uninterested in water softeners because they believe water is water. Most often, these people don't recognize the signs of hard water or understand how helpful softened water can be. Some of the signs that a water softener can be beneficial for a home are:

Itchy, dry skin and hair
Poor-tasting water
Soap residue left on hair, skin, and dishes
Water spots on dishes and spotted glasses
Dull, faded clothing with residual dirt and odors
Crusty, white buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances

How Can Whole-Home Water Softeners Help?

Water softeners can improve the water quality in a home, promoting health and prolonging the life of plumbing and appliances. When soft water is used to bathe, soap and grime are more easily dissolved and washed away. This results in healthier skin and hair. Additionally, soft water tastes better, promoting hydration.

Water softeners are one of the best ways to protect plumbing. First, they remove the minerals that can form a scale on piping that can interfere with water pressure and corrode appliances faster, like the water heater. This reduces plumbing repair costs and prevents expensive water heaters' premature failure.

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling can help every home achieve more healthy and helpful water. Water softener and water treatment options help owners protect their water supply. Call today for comprehensive plumbing service in San Antonio, TX.

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Why Having A Water Filter Can Make the Summer Better and Less Expensive

The Benefits of a Whole House Water Filtration System

It is perhaps culturally understood that water put through a water filtration system is better. It may, however, leave people asking, “In what way?” If filtered water is better, how and why is this so? That is the question that this article will try to answer. Since most people don’t know exactly where their water comes from, it can be difficult to know what it may contain. When people are backpacking in the wilderness, they must carry water filtration equipment with them to keep from getting sick from the microbes that may be present in the water. Even though the water that comes into individual homes in residential areas is treated, there are still things that people may not want to ingest. Below, the paragraphs will discuss why filtered water is the best choice for any household.

Benefit #1: Improves Taste of Drinking Water and the Beverages Made from It

Anyone who has had to drink sulfurous well water knows the rotten egg smell that never quite leaves the water. It has very little taste, and such water is not harmful, but it is a bit unappealing. In the same way, even if a home doesn’t have well water, invisible elements can affect the water’s taste. Purer water makes for better-tasting water and better-tasting coffee, tea, lemonade, etc., because if there are contaminants in the water, they are in the drinks that use water as well. A few examples of the types of water filtration systems used in homes are listed below.

Activated Charcoal: This is often the first step in water filtration to remove things from the water that affect the taste of it. This is the most common filter in those that attach to a sink.
Reverse Osmosis Water Filter: This filter forces the water through a thin membrane that removes particulate matter, larger molecules, and even some microbes. This leaves the water purer and better tasting.
UV Filter: Though this is not a “filter,” passing the water through a beam of UV light does sanitize it by destroying any remaining germs.

All three of these filters are often combined with a whole-house filtration system.

Benefit #2: The Water is Purer and Safer

Not only do filters make water taste better, they also make it safer. Everyone knows that water is healthy and humans need to drink a lot of it. But if the water has contaminants, it can do more harm than good. Some of the contaminants that filters remove are:

Chlorine
Fluoride
Hard water salts
Heavy metals
Iron rust
Microbes

This ensures that the water household members pitting in their bodies are actually good for them.

Benefit #3: It Pays for Itself

Buying and drinking bottled water can get expensive, and it can be very bad for the environment with all the plastic trash it produces. Having a whole house water filter can nip this problem in the bud. If a household uses reusable bottles and fills them with their filtered water, they can drink safe, healthy, and paid-for water. It is money-saving as well as helpful to the planet.

About A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling

A&A Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling offers multiple-award-winning service to the Greater San Antonio, TX Area. Call them today for comprehensive water filter service from friendly technicians.