Devon's Trusted
Water Heater Services company

Tankless water heaters are the most energy-efficient hot water systems on the market. In fact, tankless water heaters can be approximately 35% – 80% more efficient than traditional hot water tanks. 

Tankless hot water heaters can be powered by electricity or gas. However, gas-powered tankless heaters are more efficient. In addition to being more energy-efficient, tankless water heaters cost less to operate (up to 50% less than traditional hot water tanks) and last longer (up to double the lifetime).

The plumbing professionals at ProSolutions PHAC recommend the following high-efficiency tankless water heater:

• Noritz EZ111 (Gas Powered)

Please note: Although tankless water heaters are the most energy-efficient hot water system, they are not for everyone. Our guide to tankless water heaters can help you decide if a tankless heater is the best option for your home.

There are several common signs that your hot water tank may stop working. Consider calling a water heater services company to take a look at and repair or replace your unit if: 

1. Your unit is getting old. The average water heater will last 8 to 10 years. 
2. Your water smells or is discoloured. For example, if the water looks rusty the unit may be corroding. 
3. You hear loud noises coming from your hot water heater. Loud popping or crackling sounds can mean sediment has built up in the tank.
4. Your tank is leaking or you notice water around the water heater.
5. Your hot water tank no longer provides enough hot water.
6. The water pressure has gone down and is not sufficient.

Sump pumps need annual maintenance. Like other appliances in your home, a sump pump should be maintained and serviced on a yearly basis. In some cases, more maintenance may be required. It is important to stay on top of sump pump maintenance in order to prevent a disaster. Oftentimes, homeowners will not notice that their sump pump isn’t working until it’s too late. Suddenly, when the sump pump is required, the homeowner discovers that it isn’t working as it should be. Many professional plumbing contractors provide Service Partner Plans that can help you properly maintain your appliances. An annual maintenance plan like this will ensure that your sump pump is always in top working condition.

Most homeowner’s insurance policies in Canada cover “sudden and accidental” water damage, which includes burst pipes. However, the coverage might not extend to damage resulting from lack of maintenance or negligence. It’s essential to review your policy and speak with your insurance provider to understand the specifics of your coverage.

There are several preventive measures you can take:

• Insulate your pipes, especially those in unheated areas like basements, garages, and crawl spaces.
• Keep your home’s thermostat set to a consistent temperature, even at night and when you’re away.
• Allow faucets to drip slightly during extremely cold spells to keep water flowing.
• Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes.

The difference between a boiler and a hot water tank has to do with the way in which each uses the hot water that it produces.

Both boilers and hot water tanks take cool water, heat this water and then distribute it throughout a home via pipes. However, the water that is heated by a boiler is distributed throughout the home via pipes, radiators and radiant in-floor systems in order to heat it – to keep the rooms, floors, garage, etc. comfortable and warm.

On the other hand, a hot water tank heats water that is used for cooking and cleaning purposes – for showers, dishwashing, laundry, etc.

You can’t run out of hot water with tankless water heaters – unless, of course, the power supply is off or goes out. However, a tankless water heater can have trouble keeping up with demand if too many things require hot water all at once. For example, if several appliances are operating at the same time (the dishwasher, the laundry machine, etc.), and you go to have a hot shower, you may find that your tankless unit isn’t capable of providing enough hot water. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that you install a tankless water heater that has a large enough capacity to handle your demand for hot water.

A sump pump is an appliance that is used to help prevent flooding in your home. If you’re in a flood zone and your basement floods regularly, if you have older plumbing, or if you just want to take a proactive step against flooding, then a sump pump installation is right for you. Sump pumps help prevent flood damage in your home by detecting increasing water pressure or water levels. If high levels are detected, the sump pump will pump water out of your basement and away from your home to a better location like a storm drain or a well.