Bradford White

Residential water heaters are often taken for granted. They’re usually installed in a closet or basement or other out-of-the-way spot, and it generally costs less to replace a standard water tank system than other home systems, so many homeowners don’t see water heater maintenance as an urgent priority.

But proper maintenance almost always pays off in the long run, and not just for homeowners. While contractors may benefit from the additional business generated by emergency service calls, those one-time sales aren’t nearly as important as the name recognition and trust they can cultivate with maintenance agreements that help insure optimal product performance and longevity.

Unfortunately, many water heater service professionals either don’t recognize the value of maintenance plans, or don’t know how to effectively communicate the advantages to their customers.

Pay a little now or a lot later

Over the life of an appliance, the minor cost of an annual inspection or tune-up can help save homeowners in multiple ways. Inspections can catch small issues before they become major problems, which in turn helps extend the life of the water heater. In addition, regular service helps ensure efficient performance, which can reduce energy costs and provide for consistent product performance.

Preventive maintenance also helps protect homeowners from the inconvenience and high costs associated with emergency service. Unplanned repairs tend to cost more than regular maintenance and can interrupt household routines, which can be more than a nuisance. Missed work and the disruption of planned events like family vacations can add to the financial burden of emergency water heater repair.

Many successful contractors recognize that it’s in their own interest to help customers avoid emergencies, no matter how lucrative they can be. Routine service calls don’t generate a lot of income, but they build name recognition and, more importantly, lasting relationships. That can be a vital distinction when it’s time to replace an existing water heater, or in the unfortunate event of an emergency.

Maintenance vs. warranty

One misconception that contributes significantly to deferred maintenance is not having a full understanding of a manufacturer’s warranty. Many homeowners assume that the warranty will cover most repairs. Why pay for even minor service now if you expect your warranty to cover the cost of major repairs later?

But the scope of a warranty is limited and very specific, covering demonstrable defects in manufacturing. Proper installation and application and, in some cases, even documentation that the recommended maintenance has been performed, are typically required in order to maintain a valid warranty. Even then, warranties typically don’t apply to local conditions that can significantly affect water heater performance, like water quality, climate, air quality and the hardness of the water supply.

A warranty is an important tool that homeowners should be familiar with. But the best warranty will not apply to the simple wear and tear of daily use or issues arising from local adverse conditions.

Connect with homeowners

It doesn’t take salesmanship in order to maximize the long-term advantages of maintenance agreements. In many cases, a few simple tweaks to existing workflows can be extraordinarily effective tools to open new opportunities for preventive maintenance.

One simple enhancement is to follow the example of HVAC contractors and leverage seasonality. If water heater use tends to go up in your service area during colder months, try to schedule new maintenance service calls in late summer or fall. Employ multiple seasonal opportunities to connect with customers, from back to school, winter holidays, summer vacation or the switch to Daylight Savings Time, and set up regular seasonal reminders for follow-ups.

The single best time for a maintenance agreement conversation is immediately after a substantial repair or emergency service. Homeowners who have recently experienced the cost and disruption of a major equipment repair or unplanned replacement are in a position to recognize the likely payoff of an investment in ongoing service.

Ultimately, communication is the most crucial tool for connecting with customers about preventive maintenance service. Contractors who can effectively and objectively relay information to homeowners are in a position to relieve the anxiety many of them feel about water heaters and other large home appliances. By educating them and offering a convenient, affordable solution, you can establish your company as the trusted solution for any foreseeable service.

Dustin Bowerman is director of corporate training and product support for Bradford White Corporation, a full-line manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial products for water heating, space heating, combination heating and storage applications. For more information, visit www.bradfordwhitecorporation.com.

Leading hot water solutions manufacturer Bradford White supports top snowboardcross competitor and master plumber as he races to compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing

Bradford White Water Heaters, an industry-leading manufacturer of residential, commercial and industrial water heating and storage products, announces its continued support for master plumber and general contractor Jonathan Cheever as he pursues his dream of competing in the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

The company has renewed its sponsorship agreement with Cheever, a 2018 U.S. Olympian and former national snowboardcross champion who has balanced world-class international competition with plumbing, general contracting and design work throughout his career.

Cheever credits his career in the skilled trades as the key factor allowing him to compete internationally for more than 15 years.

“My experience in the trades has been essential to my snowboarding career,” Cheever said. “Without the flexibility I found in the industry, I wouldn’t have had the freedom to race all over the world, from the U.S. and Canada to New Zealand, Europe and Asia. Plumbing has also taught me lessons in patience and resilience that have been critical to maintaining a professional snowboarding career for almost 20 years. I’m grateful not only for Bradford White’s generous support of my efforts but for their dedication to the entire trades profession.”

Cheever learned the plumbing trade from his father while growing up in Boston and earned his master plumber license in 2004. He currently operates Team Cheever Design Build in Park City, Utah, delivering high-quality residential and commercial plumbing, general contracting and interior design services.

“Jonathan represents peak achievement, not just in his sport but in his career as a hard-working tradesman and entrepreneur,” said Carl Pinto, Jr., senior director of marketing communications for Bradford White Corporation. “The dedication that he has demonstrated on the slopes has also fueled his success as a highly skilled plumber and contractor. While his accomplishments are extraordinary, they also reflect the commitment and discipline that define the trades. We’re proud to be working with him as he continues to chase his dreams.”

Cheever’s outstanding career accomplishments include multiple podium finishes in World Cup competition; a third-place finish in the overall 2010-11 World Cup standings; the 2010-11 U.S. championship in snowboardcross; and a place on the U.S. team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea.

The new floor-standing FT Series Combination Boiler and Water Heater is the only residential combi boiler that delivers uninterrupted home heat and on-demand hot water simultaneously.

Laars Heating Systemsannounces the launch of its powerful, ultra-high efficiency floor-standing FT Series Combination Boiler and Water Heater, the only residential combi boiler that simultaneously supplies abundant home heat and endless hot water without interruption.

“Home heat and hot water are critical to health and comfort in our daily lives,” said Chuck O’Donnell, director of marketing for Laars Heating Systems. “The Laars floor-standing FT Series Combination Boiler and Water Heater, like the rest of the FT Series of products, is built to meet the needs for space heating and domestic hot water reliably, efficiently and economically.”

The FT Series Combination Boiler and Water Heater includes a unique, integrated domestic hot water mini-indirect tank that delivers stable hot water on demand. Advanced smart technology coordinates uninterrupted space heating with domestic hot water demand and ensures continuing hot water supply for multiple heating events.

With industry-leading capacity, the FT Series Combination Boiler and Water Heater can deliver six gallons per minute of hot water in the first minute and 5.2 gallons per minute continuous delivery at a 70°F temperature rise. Other features include domestic hot water recirculation compatible; built-in low loss header for ease of installation; robust stainless-steel fire-tube heat exchanger; top piping connections for flexible installation; and large front access for service and maintenance.

“The Laars floor-standing FT Series Combination Boiler and Water Heater offers a unique combination of performance, efficiency and convenience,” O’Donnell said. “Based on extensive feedback from heating professionals, multiple features have been incorporated that make installation and service straightforward and accessible, and also provide options for homeowners.”

For more information, visit http://www.laars.com.

The right residential water heater solution depends on multiple factors

Tankless water heaters are one of the most talked-about topics in the home services industry. The rising popularity of tankless water heater technology is being driven by the perception that tankless heaters provide the same dependable performance as traditional tank-type units while using less energy and taking up less space.

That is true for certain single-family residential applications. The efficiency and reliability of tankless technology is sufficient to meet many household needs. As long as homeowners do their homework, have a clear understanding of their hot water usage, and work with a professional to select and install the right equipment, there are usually very few issues.

In many circumstances, however, traditional tank-type water heaters still offer maximum performance, reliability and value, and remain a solid option to meet the hot water needs of most families. Both tankless and tank-type applications can be an appropriate solution, depending on a number of factors, including the size of a home, its existing water heater configuration, the demand for hot water, budget, fuel type availability and personal preference.

For a typical residential application — a single-family home with two bathrooms, standard shower heads, a dishwasher and washing machine — one tankless unit will usually be sufficient. But homeowners can run into issues with high-flow, high-demand luxury fixtures, like a car wash shower head or a 90-gallon soaking tub. People may find that their new tankless product works fine 99% of the time, but they can’t get sufficient water pressure out of their high-flow shower head. This is because the flow rate of the fixture exceeds the amount that the unit can produce. Additionally, remodeling or adding to a home with an existing tankless water heater might create more demand than the installed unit can supply.

In those situations, a tankless water heater paired with a storage tank might be the only available option. But this approach is rarely a preferred solution, because most homeowners choose tankless in the first place because they wanted its efficiency or space-saving features.

Tank-type water heaters maintain a constant reservoir of hot water. Tankless heaters only work when a fixture opens, using less energy overall. But tankless requires more energy when it is used, making the transition from tank to tankless a challenge in many circumstances.

Most gas tankless water heaters provide between 120,000 and 199,000 BTUs, compared to about 40,000 BTUs for tank-type residential gas heaters. In order to switch from a gas tank-type heater to tankless gas, the capacity of the gas line may need to be increased, adding complexity and cost to installation. Similarly, an electric tankless water heater can use double or triple the power of an electric storage tank heater, requiring major electrical upgrades.

Venting is another potential roadblock in transitioning from tank to tankless. Adding or expanding the capacity of existing exhaust and intake pipes may be required, which could mean cutting additional holes in the walls and roof.

Maintenance is critical for the longevity and performance of tankless water heaters. Unfortunately, water heaters tend to be the forgotten appliance. They’re hidden behind a utility door or inside a closet, and many people don’t think about them until there’s an issue and they don’t have hot water.

We know many people don’t keep up with the recommended maintenance of their water heaters, but tank-type units can last for 10 years or more with few problems. Tankless water heaters, however, are more likely to show reduced performance and suffer breakdowns if users don’t follow a regular maintenance schedule.

As the popularity of tankless water heaters continues, new features are becoming available, such as recirculation, connectivity and built-in buffer tanks. The Bradford White Infiniti® K Series tankless gas water heaters offer top connections, which make switching from a storage tank heater more convenient. At the same time, innovations like electric heat pump water heaters and condensing gas water heaters are opening new possibilities for energy efficiency in tank-type water heaters.

In the end, the distinction between tankless and tank-type water heaters isn’t as neat as it is often presented. Both technologies offer advantages, and tank-type water heaters will continue to be a solution in many circumstances for years to come. It’s about choosing the right product for the job at hand. As long as consumers know what they’re looking for and work with a professional, they can be confident that they’ll find the right configuration for their home.

GUEST AUTHOR: Trevor Pinto is the Product Manager of Residential Products and Application Support for Bradford White Corporation and has been with the company since 2012.  Pinto began his career in the Product Management Department starting out as a Product Analyst and has grown in the ranks over the past several years.  In his current role, he oversees the residential product line as well as the application support team.  The application support team is responsible for assisting Bradford White’s customer base with selecting the appropriate product for a specific application and providing general product knowledge. 

Prior to joining Bradford White, Trevor graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology.  He grew up in the Philadelphia suburbs and is a passionate Philadelphia sports fan, enjoys music and the outdoors including camping, hiking, and fishing.  He currently resides in Lansdale, PA with his wife and two children.