When it comes to cutting energy costs in your Fort Collins home, there’s one appliance that many will tell you to focus on: your water heater.

Water heaters can be one of the biggest energy-consuming appliances. On average, it costs about $781 to operate each year—although to find out your exact cost, you’ll need to check your appliance which should include a label listing the annual operating cost.

But, is it safe to adjust your water heater temperature? You can—and yes, it’s safe! But before you think about dialing back or kicking up the heat your water heater’s thermostat, there are a few things to consider. Is it safe? And, if so, how low or high can you go? Read on to find out.

How Low Can You Adjust Water Heater Temperature?

Reducing the temperature of your water heater by 20 degrees, can help you cut energy consumption by as much as 10 percent. That’s impressive—but you have to consider the consequences of a water heater that’s set too low.

Never set your water heater below 120 degrees. That sounds hot, but setting your appliance at anything below 120 degrees can be a recipe for disease. Bacteria can (and often will) develop in the stagnant water inside the water heater. Plus, if your water heater is set too low, you’ll also be forced to take short (or maybe even cold) shower.

How Do You Avoid Scalding?

Is your water too cold? Adjusting the temperature of your water heater can also be a disaster if you set the temperature too hot. So, what’s the best temperature to avoid scalding?

To avoid scalding children, it’s recommended to avoid setting the temperature above 140 degrees. For safety, it’s ideal to set the water heater at 120 degrees to start and increase the temperature in small increments until you find the perfect bath or shower temperature.

Good Guys Home Services: Your Fort Collins Water Heater Experts

Having water heater trouble? Will your water heater not heat up to the right temperature? Is your water heater leaking? Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Fort Collins water heater experts. You won’t have to fret about your water heater’s performance ever again. When it comes to repairing all aspects of your home’s plumbing system choose the locally owned business that takes pride in living up to its name. Whether you need assistance while remodeling your home or need us during an emergency water heater failure, you can rely on the experienced staff at Good Guys Home Services. Contact us online today or give us a call at (970) 818-8008.

We offer year-round HVAC and plumbing services throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

Do you know if your water heater is about to fail? Other than knowing how old the water heater is, most homeowners have no idea when their water heater might give out. Zip. Zilch. Nada.

Thankfully, you don’t have to worry. Most water heaters give off signs when they are about to fail. Before anything bursts or any major disruption occurs, you can expect to see one or more of these three indicators:

1. Rusty Water

Have you begun to notice your bathwater or kitchen faucet giving off a rusty residue? This could be an indicator that your water heater is rusting away on the inside. Interior rusting can lead to leaking—so it’s best to have a professional investigate rusty water before it becomes a major disaster. If you have galvanized piping, you might not have to worry quite as much. This could simply mean you have rusty pipes (not a rusting water heater!).

2. Rumbling Noises

As your water heater ages, it builds up sediment inside—and when heated, the sediment can become hard. If you hear banging and rumbling noises in an older water heater, it’s likely an indication of too much sediment and could mean your water heater is close to failure.

3. Excess Moisture

Noticing excess moisture around your water heater? This could indicate a small leak or a fracture in the water heater’s tank. Water leaks are never a good sign—and can mean water heater service, repair, or replacement is just around the corner.

Remember, most water heaters are built to last somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 to 15 years. If your water heater 15 years old (or older) it’s best to have a licensed professional assess your unit and discusses replacement options—no matter the signs or symptoms.

Good Guys Home Services: Your Fort Collins Water Heater Experts

Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Fort Collins water heater experts. You won’t have to fret about your water heater’s performance ever again. When it comes to repairing all aspects of your home’s plumbing system choose the locally owned business that takes pride in living up to its name. Whether you need assistance while remodeling your home or need us during an emergency water heater failure, you can rely on the experienced staff at Good Guys Home Services. Contact us online today or give us a call at (970) 818-8008.

We offer year-round HVAC and plumbing services throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

You wouldn’t take your MacBook to a sketchy computer repair shop—so, why would you trust one of the most expensive appliances in your home to just anyone? Your HVAC system is one of the most important features of your home (and one of the most expensive!). To make sure it’s running accurately and efficiently, you’ll need to hire the best HVAC contractor near Loveland, Colorado. But how?

5 Tips for Hiring the Best HVAC Contractor Near Loveland

Wondering how to spot a good HVAC contractor? Here, give you tips on how to find and hire the best HVAC contractor in Northern Colorado.

1. Ask for referrals (or check out online reviews!).

When looking for a new HVAC contractor, ask friends first. Neighbors and friends will be able to tell you about the company’s reputation based on their first-hand experience. New to the area? Turn to Google reviews for guidance. Google makes it difficult to write fake reviews and doesn’t allow companies to edit or remove negative reviews—so it’s typically a reliable source when choosing any service-based company.

2. Check for branding.

Mama always told you not to judge a book by its cover. While that’s still true, it’s a cliche to avoid when hiring a new HVAC company. Does the HVAC company you are considering have a quality website? Did they show up to your home in branded attire? Often, this means they are a  well-established business. Companies without logos and no online presence might not be around long enough to hold up their end of a warranty—or may flake if your unit needs extra repairs.

3. Always ask about experience.

Be wary of companies that tout experience over everything else. It’s great if an HVAC company has been in business for over 25 years, but like any field, HVAC is ever-changing. If you want your home to be smart and energy-efficient, make sure your contractor is well versed in cutting-edge technologies, too.

4. Check licenses.

Before hiring an HVAC contractor, ask about licenses. Most will have their license number properly displayed on their website or will be happy to give it to you when you ask. If the HVAC company your considering is hesitant about giving you their license number, be wary. If you choose an HVAC company without a license, there’s no guarantee of a job well done.

5. Shop around for fair pricing (and always get bids in writing!).

When shopping for a new HVAC contractor, you should do just that—shop around. Get estimates from several different contractors and compare prices. If one is too low, toss it. If one is too high, toss it too. Also, make sure to get all bids in writing—it should include a list of everything you need to be done, plus itemized prices.

Good Guys Home Services: Your Fort Collins HVAC Experts

Want to keep your home’s HVAC system running optimally? Choose Good Guys Home Services—the Fort Collins HVAC experts. You won’t have to fret about your furnace or cooling system’s performance ever again. Our HVAC professionals perform regular furnace and HVAC maintenance like tune-ups, inspections, cleanings, repairs, and more at the start of every season. Plus, we have raving reviews from neighbors and past customers all over Northern Colorado—take a look here.

We are here to help with all of your heating and cooling needs throughout the year. Contact us today to schedule a maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services here. Want to chat with a technician? Give us a call today at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.

Looking to go green this winter? Want to save a few extra bucks on your heating bill? Whether the environment or your wallet has encouraged you to take steps towards energy efficiency, there are plenty of things you can do to help. Here are 4 ways you can improve energy efficiency in your Loveland, Colorado home (or a home nearby!).

1. Call in the Professionals

Calling in a professional HVAC technician is the first step to assessing your home’s energy situation. Home energy audits can be done to determine what is costing you so much and if your appliances are operating optimally.  

Also, you want to regularly maintain your heating systems during the winter to save energy. Check the furnace filter monthly during the winter—clean or replace ASAP it if it’s dirty.

2. Make Your Home Smarter

Did you know you could save as much as 10% each year on your heating bill just by setting the temperature back a few degrees? To make this process easier, consider installing a smart home thermostat—like the Nest Learning Thermostat—to improve your energy savings automatically. Smart thermostats can help you become more aware of your energy usage, so you can take action to stop overindulging and then adjust temperatures for you. Check local home improvement stores to see if there are any rebates or discounts available on smart thermostats (or check with us to see if we have any current specials on smart thermostat installation!)

3. Seal Off Any Leaks

Losing heat to the outside world can take a toll on your energy bill. Sealing windows, doors, and any cracks will help to keep out cold drafts. Want to know the number one culprit of leaks around the home? Unfinished spaces. Check around cupboards, baseboard, and in unfinished garages or attics to see if you can find a draft. Add caulk or weatherstripping to seal them off.

4. Use the Sun

We know this one sounds simple, but it can actually be the easiest and most cost-effective solution. To utilize the sun for heating your home, simply open the curtains on your south-facing windows during cold winter days. This will allow free heat from the sun to move into your home. At night, close those windows off with thick, well-made curtains to insulate the home.

Schedule Regular Furnace Maintenance with Good Guys Home Services Near Fort Collins, CO

In addition to these steps for improving energy efficiency, it’s always a good idea to have a service technician regularly maintain your furnace system, too. When you choose Good Guys Home Services near Fort Collins, CO, you won’t have to fret about your furnace’s performance or your home’s energy efficiency. We are here to help with all of your heating needs throughout the coldest months and beyond. Contact us today to schedule a maintenance appointment or learn more about our HVAC services here. Want to chat with a technician? Give us a call at (970) 818-8008—we can’t wait to speak with you!

We offer year-round HVAC and furnace services for heating, cooling, and more throughout Northern Colorado. Located in Fort Collins, we also serve the following areas: Loveland, Ault, Greeley, Denver, Windsor, Boulder, and Longmont, Colorado.