3 Reasons to Consider a Tankless Water Heater

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / November 14, 2022

When we think of water heaters, most of us picture a bulky, cylindrical tank that lives in our basement or utility room. This type of water heater has been around for a long time, and as with most things, it’s since been improved.

As the name indicates, tankless water heaters remove the need for a storage tank. Instead, they heat your water on demand, as needed.

So, what does this mean for you as a homeowner?

You won’t run out of hot water

We’ve all been in…

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / May 27, 2022

Tankless water heaters deliver hot water instantly when you turn on your shower or faucet. How does it do this? It may seem like magic but it’s not.

1. When a hot water tap is opened, the tankless water heater detects the flow

2. The flow sensor activates to determine the amount of hot water needed

3. The igniter activates

4. The gas control valve opens to supply the correct amount of gas

5. The burner ignites providing a flame to heat the water

6. Cold water passes through…

5 New Year’s Plumbing Resolutions

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / January 22, 2021

The new year is a time when many people resolve to make a fresh start and build better habits. After this past year, we could all use a fresh start— including your plumbing system. So we put together a list of some New Year’s Plumbing Resolutions to help you build some habits that can save you headaches (and wallet aches) down the road. 

1. Show your water heater some love

You probably don’t spend too much time thinking about your…

The Importance of Your Furnace and Water Heater Vents

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / November 10, 2020

If your water heater and/or furnace burn gas to heat your water and home, they will also need to expel any byproducts of that combustion (exhaust)— think of the exhaust pipe on your car that removes the byproducts of combustion from your engine. We probably all know that running a car in a closed garage is a bad idea because exhaust (and more specifically carbon monoxide) can be extremely dangerous. Well, the same goes for the carbon monoxide that comes from your…

Water Heaters 101: What Homeowners Should Know

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / July 8, 2020

Does your water heater pop or leak? It could be time to repair or replace it

Everyone likes to have instant access to hot water when they need it, whether it’s for washing dishes after dinner or taking a relaxing shower or bath. But what if your water heater starts to malfunction? What if you hear a strange popping noise? Or notice a leak?

If there’s something odd going on with your water heater, it’s probably time to call…

Common Winter Plumbing Problems

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / December 27, 2019

As you enjoy the new year with family and friends, the last thing you want to worry about is an issue with your plumbing. Iowa winters can be tough on your plumbing system. While you can’t prevent every issue, there are a few warning signs you can look for to help you catch the problem before it turns into a disaster.

Frozen or Cracked Pipes

There are a lot of factors that can lead to frozen pipes, including uninsulated or exposed pipes coming into…

Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / October 16, 2018

Autumn is the ideal time to give your home some extra care. The mild weather allows you to spend a little time outdoors and give your home some TLC to make sure everything is in line before the temperature begins to drop.

To combat any issues before they begin, there are a few things we recommend you do before winter arrives.

Shut off Outdoor Faucets

You likely have at least one outdoor faucet, but it’s often not something we think…

Tankless Water Heater Installation at Meth-Wick Community

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / September 13, 2018

Isaac, one of our Commercial Leads, at Hanna Plumbing & Heating, recently worked with Meth-Wick, an assisted living center in Cedar Rapids, to install a series of commercial tankless water heaters. His work with Meth-Wick’s installation will result in countless benefits to the residents while providing a cost-effective solution for their management team.

“We’ve been providing heating and plumbing services for them for a while. While we were taking a look at their steam boiler, we noticed that we could help them be more efficient,…

Water in Your Basement During Winter? Here are 5 Areas it Might be Coming From

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / January 30, 2018

When we think of plumbing & heating issues we expect in winter, a couple of things automatically come to mind: frozen pipes and a broken furnace. One thing that might not be top of mind is water in your basement during winter – but it can definitely happen.

Walking down to your basement on a chilly winter morning to find standing water can be quite a surprise and may indicate a bigger problem. Discover the top 5 areas water…

Energy Saving Tips for the New Year

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / December 27, 2017

Are you tired of high energy bills for cooling, heating and lighting? If you are, there are steps you can take to reduce your energy consumption and lower your home’s carbon footprint! The best part? Many of these fixes are low cost. Follow these energy saving tips to reduce your energy consumption!

1. Change Your Light Bulbs

If you are like most people, you’ve probably switched your old incandescent bulbs to compact fluorescent lights (CFLs), but did you know that you can…

What to do About a Leaky Water Heater

Written by Hanna Plumbing & Heating / December 22, 2017

If you discover your water heater is leaking, follow these steps to drain it and save you from a basement full of water!

1. Turn off Fuel Source

For gas water heaters, either turn gas off at the gas meter or using a gas isolation shut-off valve.  For electric, turn it off at the breaker.

2. Switch off Cold Water Intake

Turn water off to the unit.

3. Drain the Tank

Attach a garden hose to…

Holiday Plumbing Tips to Keep Your Home Merry & Bright

Written by deNovo / November 30, 2017

The holidays are a time for families to come together and celebrate love and joy. Unfortunately, it can be a stressful time as well. If you’re having family over, the last thing you need is a plumbing disaster on your hands!

To avoid a plumbing emergency, follow these holiday plumbing tips. You can then forget about potential disasters and focus on the good times this season brings!

Holiday Plumbing Tips

Avoid pouring liquid fats and grease down your drain. As these cool, they will…

4 Ways You Can Keep Your Water Heating Bill Low

Written by deNovo / October 26, 2017

When was the last time you examined your hot water heater for efficiency? Energy.gov estimates that hot water heaters are responsible for about 12 percent of a home’s yearly energy usage. The only appliance that uses more is the HVAC system. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to control your hot water usage and your water heating bills.

1. Schedule an Energy Assessment

Most utility companies, especially electric companies, offer free energy assessments. These involve examining your home’s total energy usage and…