Space Plumbers

The space shuttle Endeavor is zooming towards the International Space Station with plumbers on board. Can you believe it? We always knew that plumbers were on the front lines protecting the health of the nation - now we're into outer space. Very cool.

In the New York Times article describing the plans to expand the space station's facilities so that it could accommodate six people rather than the usual three, we noticed they mentioned the "ick factor." Every plumber knows about the ick factor. In this case, they were talking about recycling urine to provide drinking water. (Don't gag! It could come to that in California.)

Anyway, mention of this particular icky thing inspired us to add Dune to our bathroom reading list. Have you read it? It's a pretty good book - check it out.

And remember: if it's yellow, you'll save a little water if you let it mellow, but don't drink it. The technology for that is still a little out there.

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Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477
www.nodrips.com

Water Heater Prices Set to Increase in the Bay Area

Beginning January 1, 2009, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 9, Rule 6 will apply to natural gas-fired, tank-style water heaters that are less than or equal to 50-gallons in capacity with inputs of 75,000 Btu/hour or less.

In plain-speak? The cost of residential natural gas water heaters is going up.

On November 7, 2007, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District amended Regulation 9, Rule 6. The amendments expanded the scope of the rule to:

• regulate Nitrogen Oxide emissions from water heaters and small boilers from 75,000 Btu/hr up to 2 million Btu/hr heat input;
• regulate Nitrogen Oxide emissions from mobile home water heaters and commercial pool and spa heaters that were exempt from the standards in the rule;
• establish more stringent Nitrogen Oxide limits for all affected equipment;
• and modify the requirements for certifying water heaters and boilers subject to the rule.

The requirements are applied in phases and beginning in January the rule affecting residential-sized water heaters kicks in. If you are anticipating having to replace a water heater in the near future and want to avoid the price increase, now would be the time to go ahead and replace your old heater.

New water heaters 50-gallons and less sold and installed after January 1, 2009 in the San Francisco Bay Area will need to have been modified to limit exhaust to the new acceptable levels - thus the price increase.

So in a nutshell, this rule prohibits the sale, installation, or offer for sale of any of the following types of water heaters unless the water heaters meet these highlighted emissions limitations:

Residential Water Heaters: Nitrogen Oxide emissions for residential natural gas-fired water heaters (less than or equal to 75,000 Btu/hr) must meet the following schedule:

• Tanks less than or equal to 50-gal - manufactured after 01/01/09 - limited to 10 ng/joule (1)
  
• Tanks greater than 50-gal - manufactured after 01/01/10 - limited to 10 ng/joule (1)
  
• Any tank with power assist - manufactured after 01/01//11 - limited to 10 ng/joule (2)
  

(1) Does not apply to direct-vent, power-vent, power direct-vent storage tank water heater or water heaters used for mobile homes.
(2) Does not apply to water heaters used for mobile homes.

There are separate requirements that apply to additional types of water heaters and boilers. You can find the complete Bay Area Air Quality Management District compliance advisory on the web. It is good to be informed.

This comes to you from the 'Thought You Should Know' department at Boden Plumbing. If you have questions - or are interested in switching out your water heater - give us a call (707 996 8683) or send an e-mail.

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Boden Plumbing primarily serves Sonoma Valley, Napa Valley, and the Petaluma area. We provide a full range of residential plumbing repairs and services.
866-663-7477 0r 707-996-8683
www.nodrips.com