As residents throughout Connecticut and New York come to grips with the freezing temperatures of winter, it becomes imperative to protect water pipes and other plumbing devices from the cold weather. One device that is notably affected by the extreme cold temperatures is your Stamford tankless water heater, especially when it is located outside of your home. Tankless water heaters utilize a condenser, which keeps the water warm previously to use. This allows the warm water to be ready and waiting for you when you need it. Many Connecticut residents are of the understanding that the hot water temperatures created by a tankless water heater is not effected by the frigid temperatures. However, if you do not under go the appropriate provisions to protect your heater from the cold weather, your hot water heater can potentially freeze over and lead to costly repair services.
Having yout tankless water heater installed on the exterior of your home will have some advantages, but in order to protect it from the harsh Connecticut winters, you will need to take a few preventative measures. Most present day tankless water heaters have incorporated freeze protection devices that will help protect it from frigid temperatures, but the drawback is that it will only provide protection for the unit and it does not do anything to insulate the pipes leading into the unit from the winter elements. If you want to protect outdoor pipes, you could keep water running through them or cover them up with insulated blankets to keep them warm. It is just as important to protect your water pipes to ensure that you will be receiving a steady flow of hot water through the winter months.
Safeguard your water pipes
In order to forestall the water lines that direct into the tankless heater from freezing, it is imperative that you winterize or correctly insulate the pipes during the winter season. You should locate the areas of the piping that are most exposed to the winter elements and take measurements of these sections. You can then administer self-sealing pipe wrapping to the exposed area of the water pipes. It is an affordable and energy efficient solution to help prevent your pipes from freezing. The pipe wrapping insulation helps protect your copper and iron pipes against mold and condensation, which will help to prevent heat gain and loss and save you money on energy bills.
Another option to applying protective insulation to your pipes is to install an electric heater cable, which will be very effective in preventing damage due to freezing temperatures. A heating cable is essentially a cord with encased electrical wire, that when plugged in regulates the temperature around plastic or metal pipes. You can run the cable along side of the water pipe, wrapping the cable around the piping every one to two feet in a spiral pattern. Upon wrapping your exposed pipes with heater cable, it is important to secure it with electrical tape and then cover it with pipe insulation. These measures will ensure your pipes are protected and help your pipes maintain the right temperature through the winter season.
Winterizing your tankless water heater system
If you are planning on flying south for the winter, you can begin preparing your tankless water heater by completely disconnecting it’s source of power. You can then turn off the water supply to the tank, and begin draining the water from the tankless water heater. It is also recommended that you disengage the water pipes from the tank to ensure that the water pressure is at nominal levels. In order to keep yard debris from accumulating in the vents of your system over the winter season, you should secure a weather-proof cover over the entire tank.
Many homeowners throughout Connecticut are not aware that in order to maintain a properly running hot water heater, it is imperative to protect the water heater from the winter elements. You can contact the plumbing and heating technicians at Schede Plumbing for all of hot water heater repair and maintenance needs. We can keep your hot or cold water temperatures and energy bills under control. Our plumbing and heating experts will repair and install any type of residential or commercial water heaters. Contact us today at 203-969-2299 for a free consultation!
Schede Plumbing and Heating provides drainage repair, hot water heater installation and maintenance services, tankless water heaters, generators, air conditioning, general pluming repairs and installations, new construction, well pumps, and general heating installation and repair services. Our service area includes the following towns and surrounding areas in Connecticut and New York: Fairfield, Greenwich, Stamford, Westport, Westchester, White Plains, New Rochelle, Rye. Contact us today for a FREE Consultation!