Commercial Water Heaters Frisco

Are Tankless Water Heaters Good for Commercial Use?

There are many considerations for making sure a tankless water heater functions seamlessly in a large or multi-unit environment. And tankless may not be the best option for all applications.

Rest assured that Earl’s Plumbing will not install a tankless water heater system without knowing that we can make it function well. That means no inconveniences like cold water sandwiches, long hot water wait times, reduced flow rates, or pressure-related issues.

For smaller commercial applications and offices under 5000 sqft, a Navien tankless heater installation is very similar to residential installs with slightly more demand and sizing requirements. The same proper installation requirements are needed, as well as some special configurations and programming. You can save thousands of dollars in water waste and gas utilities by converting to a Navien tankless water heater.

For more information about commercial Navien Tankless Heaters, visit their website.

Earl’s Plumbing’s preferred tankless system is Navien. However, we do install and replace other brands when it makes more sense or when there is a warranty-swap issue. Our network of wholesalers and suppliers carries repairs and units for Rinnai, Rheem, Noritz, A.O. Smith, and some of the other lesser-known brands.

Is it Worth it to Repair a Hot Water Heater?

The answer truly depends on the issue, the age of the heater, and your budget. There are only a handful of things that can go wrong with a tank water heater. Leaks at the tank cannot be repaired—a water heater replacement is the only option in this situation. A leak at a part may also be tank-related and would need to be inspected.

Another reason that you might call us for a water heater repair is during the home sales process. Because of the relationships we’ve built with some of the larger realtors in the area, we see all kinds of inspection reports and buyers’ addendums related to water heater repairs. Home inspectors may see a problem they think needs fixing and alert a potential buyer of their opinion. They’re only right about 50% of the time, but we have solutions for all of those repairs on every truck.

It should be noted that Earl’s Plumbing will NOT perform work on or repair any water heater that is 12 years old or older. We do not want to take your money for what will likely be a short-lived or temporary solution. We do not do Band-Aid repairs!

Can You Put a Recirculation Pump on a Water Heater?

If you don’t have to wait for hot water at any of your fixtures, then your house probably has a dedicated recirculation line or some other type of system design. What makes this system work is a small pump that pushes hot water through the lines under constant or timer-induced intermittent recirculation.

This pump will wear out over time, especially if it’s running without a timer and pushing water 24/7. Please note that there’s no water wasted in this type of system—actually quite the opposite, as you save thousands of gallons of water a year. Most of the better brand pumps (Grundfos and Taco) have a life expectancy of about 3 to 5 years, but we have seen them last far longer. In the end, the pump will go out or begin to be less effective and will need to be replaced.

When adding or replacing a recirculation pump, special consideration must be given to the size of the home. Houses over 5000 sqft. will likely need a slightly larger and stronger pump than the standard. Homes over 5500 sqft. will definitely need a larger pump and homes over 7000 sqft. have an even larger pump. Ultimately, a properly sized pump will prolong the life of the system and the water lines while working more effectively and efficiently.