Welcome to 2020

As we begin yet another new year, it’s time to have a realistic look at your home or businesses heating, ventilation, air conditioning and overall plumbing. Some of these items are easy to plan and budget for, while some unfortunately are not. No matter how many times your plumber warns you about the remaining, if any, life expectancy of your hot water heater tank, you’re likely going to wait that one day too many. At that point, it’s no longer a hot water tank replacement. If you’re home is like many, there is a utility side where the heating system sits alongside the hot water heater tank. On the other side is a finished basement, usually carpeted with, depending on who else lives there, a sofa, a big screen TV, some electronic game console like a Microsoft Xbox or a Nintendo Switch. There might be a table for snacks during NFL, NBA, or MLB games. There could be an exercise bike, bought with the best intentions 4 years ago, and a total of 21 miles on its odometer.

Hot Water Heater Tank

Bradford White Tank Let’s start the new year with our first lesson on the ubiquitous hot water heater tank. You see unlike the boiler or furnace, which last decades, hot water heater tanks have a life expectancy. The better the brand, the longer the life span. Determining the age can be easy of challenging. It’s easy if your town’s plumbing inspector placed a signed and dated an inspection sticker, from when he approved the work. Since the adoption of a 4 inch exhaust from the hot water tank to and through the chimney, closer inspections to ensure installations are up to this new code have become a vital step in ensuring that no CO2 (the exhaust from burning gas to keep the hot water hot) is escaping into your home or business possibly causing a serious health exposure. Alternatively, regardless of when you purchased your home or last replaced the hot water heater tank, there is a manufacturer’s plate of when it was built, and it can be used to confirm the build date. Hot water heater tanks do not linger in wholesaler’s or plumber’s warehouses very long, so a manufacturer’s date is a viable choice to determine its age.

Regardless of when it was last replaced or installed, water in Bergen County, NJ water has become “hard”. What is hard water? Hard water is water that has high mineral content. Hard water is formed when water percolates through deposits of limestone, chalk or gypsum which are largely made up of calcium and magnesium carbonates, bicarbonates and sulfates. In addition, and, despite water filtration centers throughout Bergen County, the pipes that deliver the water to your home have been underground for decades. As bits of those pipes loosen, they become part of the water supply that enters your home. Now before you think these are 5-pound rocks, in reality they are no bigger than sand. But they combine with the aforementioned deposits of multiple minerals. And unless you have installed a whole house water filtration and purification system, the cold-water supply line to your hot water heater tank contains these imperfections. Here is a link to a 2016 report on Bergen and Hudson Water Contamination http://bit.ly/37ndPzA

The Proof.

Try this test. On the edge of most kitchen faucets, there are a series of screens to minimize that sediment from becoming a part of your morning cup of coffee. If you visit the Muccia Plumbing Facebook page, we review the components and the process of cleaning the screens to which helps to renew water pressure when the get clogged with sediment. Basically, there is an aerator housing screwed into the faucet end which you likely need to remove with pliers. Because you don’t want to damage the finish, we recommend wrapping a rag to loosen the cap. You will then see several screens and you want to take note of their sequence in the cap as you gently flush some running water to remove any sediment. Assembly is the reverse of disassembly, and again a rag should be used to avoid marring or scratching a chrome fixture when tightening the threaded aerator housing, though hand-tight with no leaks is acceptable. Start slowly to avoid crossing the threads.

Draining the Tank

Back to the hot water tank heater. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have a similar screen, and therefore over years the sediment can build up at the bottom of the tank. It’s possible to extend the like of the tank by draining it through the hose fitting and continue to allow fresh water to enter the tank. You should see brownish color water as the tank and the sediment empty out to whatever drain you have close by. Once the water is clear, you have gotten as much sediment as possible out, but certainly not all.

Anode Rods

One other choice is to replace the anode rod that is placed in every hot water heater tank. These anode rods are made in different materials.

Aluminum rods were made many years ago, and you had parents buying bottled water since consuming aluminum is unhealthy.

Magnesium anode rods are the most popular EXCEPT where hard water is present, like Bergen County, NJ. In fact, replacing the manufacturer’s anode rod may actually accelerate the corrosion and with it, the end of the life of the hot water heater tank.

Zinc rods are made of a combination of aluminum and zinc, 1 proportion of zinc to 10 proportions of aluminum. Zinc serves to reduce the smell of sulfur which can affect some water tanks, although modern water heaters are not typically supplied with zinc anode rods installed at the factory.

Impressed Current Rods – These are anodes which use electricity to attract corrosion. These rods do not have a sacrificial metal, nor lack the self-created currents which the anode rods are typically capable of. Impressed current rods do not need to be removed and replaced, as they don’t corrode, but they do need to be infrequently cleaned in order to maintain the electrical charge. Please note that impressed current anode rods are usually found in large commercial water heaters, where the risk of corrosion is higher than usual.

Combination Anodes Rods – The combination anode is an ordinary anode which is attached to an unusual place. Most anodes are at the top of the heater, attached by a hex head screw. Some water heaters have an anode attached to the hot water outlet. This anode is installed inside the pipe, and can be difficult to reach, often involving the removal and breakage of the pipe, and the unscrewing of the hot water pipe nipple section. You can add a combination anode by lowering a rod into the pipe after removing the nipple attachment and replacing it with a rod.

Henry's Plumbing Supply Before heading off to your local plumbing supply house to replace an existing anode rod, there are some important considerations. First, if you look at the top of a typical 40-gallon tank, you’ll see a 6 sided “nut”. That is the part holding the anode when it was delivered from the manufacturer. It is installed by a machine, set to an exact torque, and is extremely hard to loosen. Next, within a 3-4-year span, in Bergen County, NJ and other parts of the US dealing with hard water, it’s likely that the original anode rod is a mere skeleton of its original self. Between the difficult position and tight fit of the factory anode nut, even the strongest do-it-yourselfer might be ale to crack it open and remove it, but the costs of a typical anode rod of $25 may make it seem like a wise decision, but if you do make sure you take the make, model and capacity of your current hot water heater tank. While I am certainly a fan of saving money, the best choice is to budget for a new hot water heater tank every 8-10 years, and most plumber offer financing since the cost of a quality hot water heater tank, if it needs the expansion for the exhaust from 3” to 4” will average between $1,700 and $2,000. Play it safe. If the nut on top crack due to the pressure necessary to remove it, you will have no hot water until it can be replaced.

Summary: Muccia Plumbing, Heating and AC Service has been serving Bergen County homes and businesses for over 43 years. We service any brand of hot water heater tank. We recommend Bradford-White tanks because of their superior performance and longevity. The are proudly built in the USA. Muccia Plumbing overs 24 x 7 x 365 including weekends, holidays and late-night. Our technicians are factory trained to not only service HVAC systems, but to offer advice on how to get the most out of your hard-earned money. Call us at 201-343-1414 or visit our website at www.mucciaplumbing.com for discount coupons and subscribe to our newsletter for special offers, new products, tips for the “Do-It-Yourselfer” and more.

We often bring up water heater replacement in our online and Facebook posts. Some readers might assume it’s not just sound advice. Today we’re going to go a little deeper on why hot water heaters need to be replaced.

Like any other home appliance, it can be a surprising hit to your budget. Just like your refrigerator, microwave or even your car, replacing the water heater will result in one less headache you can count on for several years. Consider that neglecting to replace your water heater before it fails ends up costing far more in repairs and operational costs. So here’s some additional points why it’s important to recognize the signs that your ready to need a replacement:

Your current water heater no longer meets your needs.

Whether you have a tank or tankless water heater, every water heater is meant to be installed according to power and capacity. Simply put, if your family has grown by adding children or parents, you may need one of the bigger storage tank heaters 50-75 gallons. Alternatively, empty nesters likely will only need a 40 gallon or perhaps a tankless water heater. Muccia Plumbing techs will guide you on the best choice based on a discussion rather than merely a one for one replacement.

Muccia guidance combined with family changes you provide, ensures the right size, type and capacity to install. We’ll recommend the right size water heater to keep your heating bill low while maintaining both comfort and convenience.

Loss of Efficiency

In the context of water heating, the word “efficiency” means how much you must spend on average. Efficiency and utility bills are one of the first indicators that your water heater needs replacing. If you do not see your water heater usage suddenly doubled or tripled, there should be no reason for your water heater costs to rise.

More frequent calls for repairs

Have you found yourself calling in for water heater services in #BergenCounty more than once in the same year? That is a huge clue a complete failure is close. Water heaters more than any other home appliance should never require more than one repair. If you have needed to call a plumber twice, or just once every year, it is clearly a sign that your water heater needs replacing.

Here’s the “but”. If your water heater is 8 years old or less and giving you these signs of problem, call Muccia Plumbing. One of the frequently early failures is the purchase of a new water heater from a home improvement center. If it’s a plumbing-supply-only brand like Bradford White, it may be eligible for replacement under the manufacturer’s warranty. Of course, using a general “handyman” instead of a NJ licensed master plumber such as Muccia Plumbing, may be proving unqualified repairs to generate revenue or simply incompetence.

Age is still the #1 reason to replace a water heater.

As we have stated many times, age is usually the most frequent reason for water heater replacement. A quality brand water heater, still under 7-8 years old, can be solved with a maintenance check or a repair. Leaking water, high fuel costs and poor efficiency on a 10 year or older unit requires replacement. Imagine having guests on a holiday stay-over and suddenly there is no hot water. The table to the left is Bradford White’s guide to determining the manufactured date one of their hot water tanks. It’s tough to read here so please visit https://www.bradfordwhite.com/find-your-model-and-serial-number#

However, regardless of the brand, its usually easier to read your town’s inspection and approval sticker.

If you look at the date row, the bottom is dated 08/22/16 and signed by the inspector.

Bottom Line: How long should a tank or tankless last?

The life expectancy of water heaters varies between each type.

Tank water heaters: 8 to 12 years.

Tankless water heaters: Over 20 years.

While there is no hard rule, where your water heater lands on the scale depends on 1) the quality and brand of the water heater 2) installation and right-sizing by a master plumber 3) proper maintenance such as draining the tank to remove scale or sediment.

Muccia Plumbing features Made in the USA Water Heaters, both tank and tankless, from Bradford White. Our techs are trained by the manufacturers of all products we service to ensure proper installation and use.

The choice is simple. Now that we’ve given you a detailed lesson on water heaters, there’s only one thing left to say “I call Muccia” and schedule an appointment 201-588-5907

The venerable hot water tank has finally met it’s match. For the last ten years, debates continued about the efficiencies and longevity of tank vs tankless water heaters. However, the match is over. Recent updates in materials and processes for on-demand hot water from a tank unit can stand up side by side with a new tankless.

First, the obvious, there is no need to run precious water up two stories until it’s warm enough to take a shower. In fact, there is a tiny learning curve that avoids pushing the handle to the furthest heat position. Do that and step in to the shower and you may get scalded!

Next, the life span of the tankless system is now easily 20 years besting the typical tank system by double the lifespan.

Efficiency: While these systems are more expensive, they are also more efficient. In fact, Consumer Reports indicates that tankless water heaters are 22% more efficient than standard models. The monthly savings might be nominal, but homeowners can expect to save hundreds of dollars annually.

Space savings: Whether you’ve been using a 40 gallon, 50 gallon or 75 gallon tank, the space needed for a tankless water heater is a fraction of what those tanks take as tankless are bolted onto a wall using no floor space whatsoever.

Tax breaks remain: Because they are more efficient, tankless heaters qualify for federal tax credits, which help offset the steep installation cost, usually 10%. In sum, if your existing 8+ year tank is headed to obsolescence, consider a Bradford White tankless system.

The program will run from Monday May 20, 2019 and conclude June 30, 2019. There is no fixed discount until the initial inspection is done, and “stacking” i.e. using TV ad discounts or downloaded $25 discounts cannot be used with this program. However, we expect the discount to be pleasing to our customers.

Mike Muccia’s first 4 tips to get ready for winter

Mike’s Tip #1

In a recent edition of Mike’s Kwik-Tip on Facebook, we recommended that you remove the timers off any hose bibs since a quick unexpected freeze will destroy the internal plastic parts. (In English please!) There is a fitting where a hose can be attached to a home water supply (usually more than one) so watering the lawn and garden is simplified. The part that the hose screws onto is called a hose bib. We received many “thank you”s for that tip, but now that we are in October, it’s time to go one better and it’s a 2 step process.
First, stretch out the hose(s) and remove any water just by rolling them up. This is extra easy if you have a hose reel.
Next, it’s not enough to simply shut the valve off where it’s sticking out of the basement and through the wall outside. You’ll need to go into your basement or crawl space and shut the pipe off at the valve inside the house. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a pipe which is split in the middle. (see an example on left)

Mike’s Winter Tip#2

Draining the hot water heater. Yes, we realize this is a terrible waste of both energy and water, BUT draining and rinsing the sediment that ends up on the bottom of the tank will extend the tank’s life and now’s the time to do it. NOTE: This may not be for every do-it-yourself homeowner since it requires turning off the natural gas and the water supply, then running a hose from the bottom of the tank until it’s empty, refill it again, draining it one more time, and one final refill. Then turn on the gas line and lighting the pilot light. If you have any misgivings about doing this, either skip this step or call Muccia Plumbing. While this will improve the tank’s operation and lifespan, we don’t want you to accidentally shorten your own. If your tank was installed in the last 2-3 years, you’ll be fine. If you’re not sure, look for the town inspection sticker. Their dates are usually easier to read than the manufacturers. If your tank is near end of life, be aware that Muccia only sells and installs Bradford White Made in the USA hot water heater tanks. For example, Bradford White fittings are all brass, not plastic and are guaranteed to provide you with years of excellent service.

Mike’s Winter Tip#3

Replace your rubber washing machine hoses. If your washer was installed by the company that sold it to you, they most likely used the rubber hoses that came with the machine. These hoses are holding back the full pressure of both hot and cold water until the washer timer calls for them to release their water supplies. They are OK for a year or two but living in NJ, we are subject to brutal hot days and frigid cold days, and those fluctuations in ambient temperature cause the hoses to fail. The standard for several years was braided stainless steel. Those held up better, but over time the stainless steel wrapping would also fail. We recommend the Danco Flood Anchor washing machine hoses. What’s great about these hoses is they have a ball bearing built into the connector at the water supply. No matter what happens to the hose, the ball bearing will prevent a flood by stopping the water from escaping the fitting. These are not cheap, and if you’re handy and can remove and replace the hoses, they are worth the price. You can sometimes find them at Sears or True Value. They come in a 6-foot length, so before you start taking things apart, make sure 6 feet will work for you or look for another brand. You can purchase them anywhere you wish. The Amazon ad example is simply that – an example.

Mike’s Winter Tip #4

Now it’s time for you to do a simple inspection. In one of our first blogs, we discussed what leaks or just water on the floor around your furnace or boiler may mean. There are three parts that can fail about 6-10 years into the life of a new boiler.

The first part is the boiler pressure relief valve. Here’s the exact explanation from the NJ Master Plumbing manual: A safety valve is a valve that acts as a fail-safe. An example of the safety valve is a pressure relief valve (PRV), which automatically releases a substance from a boiler, pressure vessel, or another system when the pressure or temperature exceeds preset limits.

This is what it looks like:

The second part is the water pressure relief valve: Again, from the Master Plumber manual: Back Pressure Valves. Back pressure valves are pressure relief valves used in pipes and pumps. They are essential in the plumbing industry. Their function is to maintain a set pressure, particularly at the pump’s outlet port or discharge, and doing so ensures correct metering. This is what it looks like:

The third and final part is an air expansion tank. Once again, directly from the plumbers manual: An expansion tank is a metal tank connected to a building’s water heating appliance designed to accommodate fluctuations in the volume of a building’s hot water supply system. These fluctuations occur because water expands in volume as it gets hot and loses volume as it cools.

NOTE: This should not be confused with the hot water tank. This is meant as a fit for a home that is running on a hot water system. The boiler heats the water, it is then pumped throughout the home raising the temperatures of the radiators. It is one of the more efficient means to heat a home since, after the hot water returns, the pipes retain their heat

The simplest way to test for a water leak is to put some paper towel on the floor and let it sit undisturbed overnight. If in the moning the paper is wet or simply feels of an unusual texture, please Muccia Plumbing at 201-778-7085

Muccia Plumbing, Heating and AC has already begun to get calls to schedule a heating system startup. It makes sense and it’s worth spending a few moments understanding what we do and why you should care.

Understanding the complex heating system and why it needs an annual startup

Your heating system is a complex machine. It includes a variety of devices that check for fuel pressure, water level, water pressure, valves, zones, pumps and more. These devices and indicators are specific to your system, and are meant to take care of each part of your home or business with a unique “zone”. Simply put, a zone is an area of your home or business that is getting heat (or not) based on the thermostat that is relaying information back to the main system. Whether time-based (start the heat at 6 AM) and/or temperature based (Don’t let it drop below 65 degrees), each zone is an independent place and based on use, will require more or less heat than another room.

Heating system startups save money

For example, let’s say you have a large family room say 30 x 30 feet square. This may be the place where on a holiday morning kids, adults and family gather to open gifts. Once that fun is over, everyone goes back to another room – kids go out or to their bedrooms, parents set about doing laundry, cooking, or any other planned activity. To maintain that 30 X 30 heat at a comfortable 72 with no occupants is simply a waste of money. Today’s efficient boilers and hot water systems produce heat rapidly so that if it’s needed, it takes a very short time to regain that heat level from the earlier time of day.

Likewise, there are two other times where lowering the heat can save money. One, of course, is when everyone is sleeping. While we don’t want to freeze everyone under the covers of their bed, it is much more comfortable to sleep in the 60s than in the high 70s or low 80s. The bedcovers are designed to hold in body heat and what feels comfortable above the covers, is likely unbearable when you have 2 inches of down covers on top of you.

The second should be equally obvious. If everyone in the family is off to school or work, there is no good reason to pump high 70s low 80s into an entire house. Remember the heating system’s primary job is to keep people warm. And if you have pets, worry not. Unless the temps drop way down into the 40s or 50s, the natural fur on cats and dogs insulates them from that small differential in room temperature.

How a heating system startup is done

Now that we’ve explained why the basics of a heating system, let’s talk about what’s involved in having Muccia Plumbing do a startup inspection. As mentioned earlier, the heating system is a complex system with multiple indicators built into the system to permit a trained plumber to determine efficiency and manufacturers recommended positions. Let’s begin with water pressure. There is a delicate balance between too much and too little water entering and exiting the system on demand. An early indicator of a failure is a water drip behind the system. Along with all the technology, there are built-in relief valves to avoid excess water from being distributed on your floor or too little which can cause a complete failure.

In point of fact, the first part of the startup inspection is a detailed visual look around for anything out of the ordinary. Since this is likely the first time since May that the system has been turned on, the plumbing/heating tech will look for drips around the system to find any parts which may have exceeded their usefulness. Often these include the water pressure gauge, the water inlet pump, and the thermal expansion tank. These three parts are interrelated, and it’s often best to replace all three rather than guess which one is prepared to fail.

Startup testing

The tech will next begin a series of tests between zones and their equivalent thermostat. This is to ensure that the heat which is called for is acting on a request from the correct thermostat. Since each hot water pump is controlled electronically by the appropriate thermostat, it is imperative that the two are working in tandem.

Finally, if so appropriate, the tech will replace all filters (typically on hot air systems) that were replaced last year. Clogged filters, whether for Air Conditioning or Heater systems are the #1 loss of energy and comfort. After replacing the filters, the last step is ensuring that the performance of the system is at its peak. Techs are uniquely trained to listen for water flows, responses to thermostats and a host of other sounds to instill confidence that the startup has put the system in readiness for winter. And in case you were wondering, it is not necessary to request and schedule a startup inspection in the winter. Anytime between the end of September and the end of October is usually perfect, though if you want to get your system scheduled when you want, the earlier the better.

Heating system startups make us both happy

Thank you for taking the time to read this latest in Mike’s Tips. Our goals at Muccia Plumbing, Heating and AC have not changed in our 40 years of doing business in Bergen County. We will never sell you parts you don’t need, and you’ll know exactly what fees will be involved. No surprises. Just delighted customers. You can reach Muccia Plumbing at 201-343-1414 or visit our website at www.mucciaplumbing.com

slow drain sink Everyone, depending on age and education, can feel confident doing handyman jobs around their home, condo or business. One example is dealing with a slow or clogged drain. Most (both male and female) homeowners will take a quick drive to the local home improvement center, and look for something stronger than what is sold in the local grocery store next to bleach and dish detergent. However, when it comes to drains and sewage plumbing, while there are many small things that a regular handyman can do on his or her own, small issues can turn into big problems. And a home or business without clean running water can be a disaster. Sometimes, that “crud” is all that is keeping a pipe from leaking and flushing it away with a toxic chemical just opened a hole in a pipe. Clearly, this is not the time to skimp on a professional plumbing care. What follows are some examples of how an NJ Registered Plumber, like Muccia Plumbing, can actually save you money.

Trained Technicians who can Analyze Core Plumbing Problems

It’s often common today to search for a plumber on Craigslist. These may be journeymen, working under the license of a Master Plumber, or merely be a do-it-all handyman, who did a “keyword search” on plumbing, leaks, drains, and so forth. Often they can fix the obvious problems. However, by hiring an experienced licensed plumber like Muccia Plumbing, you can be confident that their technicians have the proper training and knowledge to get to the true cause of your plumbing issues before they turn into a disaster. With over 40 years of experience, Master Plumber Michael J Muccia has been trained and hires technicians also trained to fix real issues that may have been developing for dozens of years.

NJ Licensed Plumbers Are Accountable

njslmpLogo Another benefit of Muccia Plumbing is that they are required by NJ State Law to be bonded and insured. In the unlikely event, something were to go wrong with your plumbing job, you would have someone to hold accountable for resolving such issues. This extends beyond the specific job they were called to do, but any accidental damage caused by an unforeseen exposure.

Quality = Time = Money

time-money-quality There is an old saying: Knowledge is Power. When it comes to plumbing, knowledge usually also means money. You’re not relying on someone who may be inexperienced with your type of heating or air conditioning system. Rather than admit a shortcoming, they will likely try everything they can else risk having to bring someone else in, and share the fee they will charge you. Every hour that goes by while they try to figure it out is costing you money. To put it another way, why should you be paying for someone else’s on-the-job training? By calling a licensed NJ Plumber like Muccia Plumbing you will most likely save money by saving time, knowing every aspect has been tangled before, resulting in an expedient completion, done right the first time.

Your Peace of Mind

warranty Money is important, but it’s not the only thing to consider whether you need a new hot water heater, a home heating boiler, or to replace a simple leaking valve. Choosing an unlicensed NJ plumber is like going to a dentist who also happens to be a car salesman. You want a pro. You want to know that when you shut the lights for the night, there are no running toilets, no dripping pipes, and all the components of your heating, cooling, ventilation, and plumbing are working as designed.

Whatever your plumbing problem, don’t waste time or money. Contact Muccia Plumbing today at 201-343-1414 or via email at mail@mucciaplumbing.com We promise we’ll leave you happy, every time.

The announcement happened about 18 months ago. The US DOE allowed distributors to sell in-stock units made before the announcement, but now those units have all but disappeared. Home and business owners are likely unprepared for a much larger than anticipated expense. As a Bergen County Plumbing and Heating service for more than 40 years, Muccia Plumbing wants homeowners to be aware of this change now. This post serves to remind you to budget accordingly, based on the age of the existing water heater you own. It’s bad enough to be surprised on a holiday weekend by a failed water heater. That surprise can quickly turn to shock when an unexpected higher cost than anticipated is requireed for a replacement.

What changed?

The 2015 DOE (Department of Energy) Final Rule energy efficiency mandates require higher Energy Factor ratings on all residential gas, electric, oil and tankless water heaters sold in the US. These changes will have an impact on how water heaters are manufactured, distributed and installed, affecting manufacturers, wholesalers, plumbing contractors and customers alike. The Energy Factor (EF): Energy Factor is the ratio of useful energy output from the water heater to the total amount of energy delivered to the water heater. The higher the EF is, the more efficient the water heater.

Why should you care?

First, start at the water heater factory. These changes require higher hot water heater manufacturing costs for insulation and parts to achieve EF guidelines. The times of the typical natural gas 40-gallon water heaters for $800 including installation are likely over. With this ruling, the water heater alone may cost upwards of $900 for a 40-gallon natural gas fired made in the USA heater. Additionally, the diameter of the flue pipe (the aluminum ventilation pipe that goes from the exhaust vent on the top of the water heater to the chimney) has been increased from 3” to 4”. This is not an insignificant change, and may require replacing the chimney liner if not done correctly. Though safe for most do-it-yourselves to tangle with water pipes, removing and reinstalling a natural gas or propane line is not meant for the typical homeowner handyman or handy-woman.

Additionally, the diameter of the tank is larger than most pre-2015 built water heater tanks. If you are currently running a water heater in a closet or other tight space, be prepared for some further demolition and construction costs to your home or business, in order to accommodate the larger tank diameter, re-piping of water, fuel and exhaust pipes.

When is the best time to check the age of your hot water heater?

NOW!

Why now?

Muccia Plumbing wants you to be aware of these Department of Energy mandated changes, and to be prepared to budget accordingly. You may have been ready for an $600 out-of-pocket expense based on a prior replacement. An expense of over $1200 or more is usually not something most homeowners and businesses budget for. Add the additional cost of a weekend out-call due to an unforeseen failure, and you could be looking at $2,000 or more. Muccia Plumbing wants you to be ready before your water heater fails unexpectedly, so you can depend on hot water in your home or business on-demand.

What brand to choose?

The truth is that like most products you can buy, there are cheaper alternatives. Home Improvement Centers will offer an overseas made 40 gallon tank for as little as $400. We won’t. Muccia Plumbing is a certified installer of Bradford White water heaters, and often have replacement models in stock in our Hackensack warehouse. Bradford White is the ONLY water heater brand that is 100% American Made, and they are not sold in home improvement centers. Bradford White is made with industrial strength materials and brass fitting for longer life and added safety.

The Final Point To Know

Muccia Plumbing has been servicing all brands of water heaters for 40 years, and we continue to do so.
Our prompt, courteous and affordable service has kept our customers returning to us year after year.

Bradford White

However, when you require replacing an old water heater, we strongly recommend Bradford White, based on their energy factor compliance in manufacturing, their build quality, and our experience with superb warranty support. As previously mentioned, Muccia Plumbing is listed as a certified Bradford White partner on their website. You can learn more at www.bradfordwhite.com.

Call Muccia Plumbing today for help determining the age of your water heater and how to plan for its replacement at 201-343-1414. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mucciaplumbing/