Got Hot Water?

Are you running the tap waiting for the hot water to arrive? We know. It's inconvenient - and a waste of both water and money. But what are ya' gonna do?

Well, a hot water recirculation system could be just the ticket.

Think about it. You may not run the hot water all day long while the family is away from home at work and school. During that time, heated water lays in the line cooling off. Then when you do get home - or up in the morning - and need the hot water, all that unused and now tepid water needs to be run through the line - and down the drain - before fresh hot water reaches the faucet.

It's goofy.

With a recirculation system, water temperature is maintained in the line when you need it most. At Boden Plumbing, we like the Grundfos Comfort System. It's a straightforward install and easy to maintain. The pump attaches to your hot water heater and a small return valve is unobtrusively installed on the furthest faucet in the home. Since the existing lines are used, there's no added expense for additional lines. Then timers keep that hot water circulating in the pipes just when you need it most - saving time, energy, water. You name it.

If you'd like more information, call the shop. Or log onto the Grundfos site to learn more.

:: the Grundfos recirc system
:: PG&E energy calculators

Don't Get Caught without an Earthquake Valve

We don't mean to be alarmist - really we don't. But let's be realistic. Stuff happens. The good thing is some "stuff" we can prepare for and mitigate - even some of the big stuff. Like earthquakes.

Earthquakes are one of those inevitable eventualities that no one who lives in faulty areas can run or hide from. Besides structural failures, perhaps the biggest danger when an earthquake strikes is fire. In particular, fire from ruptured gas lines.

A gas shut-off valve is a smart addition to any building located in earthquake country. Triggered automatically by the shaking of a temblor, they quickly cut off the supply of gas to the building, which greatly reduces the risk of fire – a very good thing! In fact, many insurance companies in California now require installation of a gas shut-off valve before writing new policies.

The valve is installed outside on your gas line, near where the line enters your home, and it's on duty whether you're home or not. The cost of installation varies depending on conditions at your particular property and there are a couple of options to choose from, but it's a pretty straightforward procedure. Call us with any questions - we'd be happy to give you an estimate. You can contact us at 707.996.8683 or e-mail us at info@nodrips.com.

:: www.nodrips.com

Considering Going Tankless?

As energy costs continue to rise, interest in tankless or on-demand water heaters is increasing. These types of heaters are actually nothing new; they've been around for 50 years or more in Europe where energy costs have been traditionally high, and they have also been used in commercial applications. They are definitely something to consider, but whether or not a tankless system will work for you depends on how you and your family use hot water.

Tankless systems heat water directly, on demand, thereby avoiding the standby heat losses associated with heaters with storage tanks. No need to wait for the tank to fill up with hot water. No need to keep a pilot light on to maintain water temp 24/7. According to information at www.tanklesswaterheaterguide.com you can increase your energy efficiency anywhere from 8 to 50% by using an on-demand system.

The very important thing to know is that on-demand systems supply hot water at a rate of 2 - 5 gallons per minute, with gas-fired heaters providing higher flow rates than electric heaters. Smaller units may not be able to provide enough hot water for simultaneous use at multiple outlets. It's possible to work around this - with bigger heaters, point of use heaters, or multiple heaters - but it's important to evaluate both your hot water needs and the layout of your home before you decide to go tankless. And keep in mind that a bigger gas heater may require a bigger or dedicated gas supply.

Regular maintenance to keep the heating element clear of mineral buildup can keep your heater working well for years - saving energy in the long run. And that's a good thing. But do your homework, consider your options. The info is out there.

If you have more questions, call or e-mail us here at Boden Plumbing. We have experience with both traditional tank style and tankless models. We can help you decide what's best for you.

:: www.tanklesswaterheaterguide.com
:: PG&E energy calculator

Tap Into Filtered Water

There are lots of reasons to rethink our consumption of bottled water. One big one is simply the cost - do we really spend as much as $12.00 on a gallon of water while we're bemoaning $4 for a gallon of gas? There are also the environmental and social costs of privatizing water supplies and then shipping them halfway around the world, not to mention all those plastic bottles! Perhaps the most important reason, though, is that we often don't even know whether or not what we're drinking isn't just somebody else's tap water.

Beginning July 1st, the City of San Francisco began weaning itself off bottled water (SF Says No to Bottled Water). Recognizing that the City's public water supply from Hetch Hetchy is pretty much as good as it gets, the powers that be cut off public funds to all city departments, city concessions, city-funded events and functions in city buildings for bottled water. By the end of the year, the City will stop shelling out for water for the legendary office water cooler. After that, any water dispensers in City buildings will have to be attached to the existing plumbing system and dispense good old fashioned tap water.

Some restaurants have also made the switch to tap - foregoing Santa Lucia, Fiji and San Pellegrino for filtered water. (Restaurants begin the switch to tap.)

Making the switch from bottled water seems like a good idea, doesn't it? But what if you're not as confident in your water supply as are the people of San Francisco? If that's the case, it's definitely worth considering a water filtration system.

At Boden Plumbing we feature an activated carbon whole-house filtering system that improves on reverse osmosis systems, which waste 3 to 4 gallons for each gallon of filtered water provided and increase the acidity of the water.

The great benefit of one of these systems is that they provide clean, fresh-tasting water through every outlet. If you use a public water supply, this can be important because chlorine is a fact of life in municipal water and, while it may be an important step in removing dangerous pathogens from the general water supply, it’s not something you want to take in on a regular basis once that water gets to your home. Studies now link increased cancer rates to drinking chlorinated water. Filtering it from your drinking water at the kitchen tap goes part of the way, but did you know that over 60% of the chlorine and other impurities that you take in from your water comes through your skin and lungs while bathing and showering?

The system we like requires no periodic maintenance—and even does away with the need for a water softener. Combine that with a six to eight year life span and it means you can have a continuous supply of fresh water that’s good for you, good for your plants and the environment—and good for your plumbing system—often for less than a penny per gallon.

Many of us spend a lot of money each year on bottled water and find only partial solutions to hard water and filtration. Why not consider simplifying your water treatment with a whole-system unit—and get one-step peace of mind? If you would like more info, log on to our website at www.nodrips.com or send us an email here at Boden Plumbing. We'd be happy to tell you more!

Do You, uh, Fish 'n Flush?

Frankly, we think it should have a different name. But what do you think? Could this contraption have factored into Andrew Stanton's inspiration for Finding Nemo? Hmmmm... we wonder... Where did he find Nemo?

No word on whether it's low flow.

www.fishnflush.com

Easy Steps to Saving Water

This post first published earlier in the year, but with summer coming on and a possible water shortage looming for Sonoma Valley, we think it wouldn't be a bad idea to review it one more time.

The importance of efficient use of potable water should be a no brainer, but it's sometimes easy to get distracted by other things. Take a little time now to audit your plumbing system and honestly examine your use of water. There's never a better time to save water.

Reducing unnecessary water use doesn’t just make for good karma, it saves you money on your water bill! But why wait for the summer months – when water usage reaches its peak - to think about saving water? Act now to reduce use. When summertime comes you'll have a better idea of how much water you really use inside - before you turn on the irrigation outside.

First and foremost - stop the leaks
You’d be surprised how much water goes down the drain as a result of leaking faucets and connections or running toilets. If you need the cold hard facts, visit this USGS website to find out just how much one leaky faucet can set back your water budget. Check it out.

Also, it’s a good idea to have a separate shut-off for your irrigation system so that if leaks develop outside – and they often do – you can shut your system down until repairs can be made without affecting the house supply.

Replace your old water-hungry toilet
The toilet is certainly the largest water user inside your house, so take advantage of the Sonoma County Water Agency’s rebate program and replace any old non low flow toilets. The water agency will reimburse Sonoma Valley County Sanitation District customers (sewer customers, not septic users) $150 for each high-efficiency toilet installed in a residence and $260 for each low flow toilet installed in a business – when you are replacing an old non low flow model. Not bad!

...and water-hungry clothes washer
Rebates are also available for installing water efficient clothes washers; check with Valley of the Moon Water District (996-1037) or City of Sonoma (938-3681) for more info on what appliances qualify for rebate. On septic? You may still qualify for the same rebates if you are a Valley of the Moon Water District customer or get your water from the City of Sonoma. Check with your water supplier for details.

Choose appropriate plants
Customers in our service area enjoy a Mediterranean climate, which means hot dry summers. With so many wonderful choices available, there's really no excuse for watering plants adapted to a different climate. Reducing turf area to a sensible minimum and growing plants best suited for your area automatically reduces your irrigation use.

...as long as you follow through and water less, that is
Duh! But you'd be surprised - you might even surprise yourself. Seriously, remember to adjust your watering schedule to match your new heat- and sun-loving landscape. Also, include plenty of hose bibs in your outside set-up for easy hand watering and spot watering.

Would you like more information? Visit www.h2ouse.org for more details on wise water use. Or e-mail us here at Boden Plumbing.

When Gray is Green

(from Using Graywater in Your Home Landscape Graywater Guide, California Department of Water Resources, January 1995)

Tired of watching your bath and laundry water go down the drain when it could be put to good use on your landscape? Did you know that it's safe - and legal - to reuse that "graywater"?

In addition to conserving water and probably reducing your water and sewer bills, you will also be drought-proofing your landscape by using graywater. Since more than half of your indoor water can be reused as graywater, during shortages, when outdoor watering may be restricted, you will have a constant source of water. With landscapes valued at between 5 percent and 10 percent of the value of a home, this back-up supply of water may be an important economic insurance policy for you.

Graywater is distributed subsurface and can be used to efficiently maintain lawns, fruit trees, flowers, shrubs and groundcovers. The type of plants it can not be used to irrigate is vegetables (i.e. your edible plants).

Find out more about graywater at the links below. Or contact us here at Boden Plumbing to find out about the options for your home. info@nodrips.com or 996-8683

:: Info on graywater
:: California Graywater Guide
:: more info on graywater and ecological design
:: NRDC Onearth article