Roto-Rooter Minneapolis: Preparing Home for Winter Energy Efficiency Requires Safety

MINNEAPOLIS, MN, October 19, 2012 (Press-News.org) In today's world, most Americans are doing everything they can to stave off energy costs and achieve eco-friendly solutions. Although many citizens are still recovering from summer heat, those in colder parts of the country are preparing for the arrival of low winter temperatures. Much of these efforts focus around winterizing homes for the season, as homeowners are doing everything from eliminating drafts to cleaning out air ducts. While complete winterization is essential to creating an energy-efficient home, Roto-Rooter Minneapolis highlights ways that homeowners can embrace the colder months by improving plumbing efficiency by winterizing home plumbing systems. The company also explains that when homeowners take on the task of working on their own plumbing, it is essential to make safety a priority.

A recent article from The Fort Morgan Times addresses the issues of approaching winterization with safety. For instance, those who turn to electric blankets must remember to turn them off after use. It also notes that the U.S. Energy Department warns against using stoves or ovens to heat homes, as the practice can present many fire risks. Although these efforts involve heating the air in homes, Roto-Rooter Minneapolis notes that the winter is also a time when homeowners rely on hot water. This need is predominantly addressed by water heaters, which many may find need to be improved.

In terms of efficiency, Roto-Rooter Minneapolis notes that many have found tankless water heaters as a great alternative to the traditional model, as these heat water on-demand and require less energy than water heaters with large storage tanks. Tankless water heaters also typically last longer than traditional water heaters if maintained correctly. If one does not need repair work or a new water heater, it is still vital to check its temperature setting and make sure it stays at 120 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal energy conservation and to eliminate the risk of scalding skin.

As part of their wide array of services, qualified plumbers from Roto-Rooter Minneapolis can make sure that the temperature setting of a water heater matches the actual temperature of water flowing out of faucets. Often, water cools when it travels through pipes and is considerably cooler when it finally reaches the tap.

At any time of the year, Roto-Rooter Minneapolis reminds homeowners the importance of keeping flammable materials away from the water heater to reduce fire hazards within the home.

In addition to water heater safety, Roto-Rooter Minneapolis also notes that it is important to watch out for freezing temperatures as autumn advances. Before freezing temperatures occur, it is vital to shut off water supply valves to outdoor plumbing to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. It is also extremely important to make sure all water supply pipes have plenty of insulation around them. Exposed pipes beneath trailers or pier and beam homes should be wrapped it thermostat-controlled heat tape to prevent the pipes from freezing. Roto-Rooter Minneapolis urges residents to contact licensed professional plumbers if they encounter any unusual problems in their plumbing during winterization efforts or need help dealing with frozen pipes this winter.

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Roto-Rooter Minneapolis is pleased to be a member of the largest plumbing repair, sewer and drain cleaning company in North America. Since its 1935 inception, Roto-Rooter has remained committed to providing superior plumbing services to homeowners and businesses alike, utilizing innovative technology and high-level knowledge of plumbing and drain systems. The company is proud to offer an array of services to its Minnesota customers, both in Minneapolis and throughout the Twin Cities, and to give each client the peace of mind that all plumbing maintenance and repair issues are being handled professionally and expediently.