All homeowners need appliances to make their homes more comfortable, convenient and efficient. And, as technology of appliances improve, we benefit even more with more efficiency and more convenience. So goes it with traditional tank water heaters and the evolution into the tankless water heater.
One advantage to the traditional tank water heater is that it has over 100-year-old technology, thus it has stood the test of time. However, the hot water is only limited to the size of the tank, it is only 60-65% efficient, we pay to heat and reheat water, has only a 6-year manufacturer's warranty and its life expectancy is only 8-12 years. Over time, because of heat and pressure, a tank-type water heater becomes corrosive, sediment forms at the bottom of the tank, leaking may occur and more fuel is needed to heat water.
On the other hand, the tankless water heater provides endless hot water. No more letting the shower run until the water heats up, which will save gallons of water each year. A natural gas condensing tankless water heater can save you 61% and a propane condensing tankless heater can save you 43% in energy and money. You pay for only the hot water that you use! Another wonderful advantage of the tankless water heater is that the life expectancy is over 20 years and there is a manufacturer's warranty of 12 years. The tankless is smaller than the tank water heater, requiring less space, all parts are replaceable and the environment benefits because there is a 35% drop in greenhouse gases.
The tankless water heater has a downside also. You may experience a restricted flow of hot water if another appliance, such as a dishwasher, is running at the same time. The up-front cost is higher and the unit requires annual maintenance.
So, if your water heater is almost 10-years old, if you are noticing water leaks around your water heater, sediment in your water or insufficient hot water, it may be time to get your water heater looked at by a professional. If their recommendation is to invest in a new unit, consider your options. The tank water heater isn't the only option available anymore.
Maeser / Joni Crume
As consumers, we are all concerned about products that are going to benefit our family, our health, our finances and our environment. When those products are both attractive and super functional, it is an added bonus, especially when we feel it is our responsibility to protect Mother Earth.
According to energy.gov, inefficient clothes washers can cost three times as much to operate as an energy-efficient appliance. Choose a washer that allows you to select the water temperature and levels for different loads.
If you want or need to replace your bathroom faucet or showerhead, choosing a low-flow or water-saving fixture can be beneficial especially if leaks are detected.
Water-saving technology is even found in toilets with flushometers. These toilets have flush valves consisting of two methods of flushing. One method flushes liquids and uses 30% less water and the other is a full-flush method which flushes solids. There are also low-flow urinals that use only a pint of water instead of a gallon of water per flush, reducing 85% water usage that a business consumes over a period of time.
Not getting enough hot water when taking a shower in the morning? A tankless water heater is environmentally friendly because they are on average 22% more energy efficient than conventional water heaters. Conventional hot water heaters heat water constantly, while tankless water heaters heat the water only when it’s needed. Since heating water accounts for 30% of the average home’s energy budget, the higher efficiency of a tankless gas water heater can save you money on your utility bill.
Any home is in a constant state of updating, that is why they call it "home moanership". When choosing a new fixture, choose your own style and flair, but also choose wisely with energy efficiency and the environment in mind. Green products are everywhere and although they may be a higher cost on the front end, do the math and figure out how they may save you money in the long run.
Maeser / Joni Crume
Maeser, a family-owned plumbing, heating and cooling business, announces they are proud sponsors of University of Louisville Athletics. They dedicate their sponsorship to the strength, competitiveness, spirit, sweat and hard work of the men and women athletes that represent our home town. Maeser appreciates their competitive edge and the peak performance they bring to each game they play as they represent Louisville.
Just as U of L athletes bring such pride and commitment to Louisville, the owners and employees of Maeser choose to be ambassadors of our city as well. They have served the Louisville area since 1975 and provides families with home comforts in the way of plumbing, heating, cooling, bathroom remodeling, aging-in-place bathrooms and geothermal.
The founder, Marvin Maeser, has always emphasized the importance of doing the job right, that means following all plumbing and HVAC codes and providing work that is of professional quality. Just as all the U of L coaches emphasize good sportsmanship, fairness and honesty, so does Marvin Maeser coach his employees on professionalism, integrity and unequaled customer service. He stays on top of the newest trends in the industry to better serve our loyal customers. They also have weekly meetings with technicians to provide them with training on new products and refresh them on existing products. The management team stays involved in all aspects of the business, so they are never more than a conversation away from better understanding our customers' needs.
Maeser technicians are all licensed by Kentucky, are background tested and drug free and treat your home with respect by wearing shoe covers, cleaning up when they leave.
Call Maeser! You can trust them for any emergency involving plumbing, heating or cooling needs.
Experience the Maeser Difference • Just Ducky Services for Your Home
Good luck to all University of Louisville athletic teams. GO CARDS!
Maeser Services / Joni Crume
Maeser has been around since 1975 and was founded by Marvin B. Maeser. If you have been in the Louisville area for awhile, you probably know Maeser as Marvin Maeser Plumbing. And rest assured, on any given day you can find Mr. Maeser hard at work in the new construction area of the business, emphasizing the importance of doing the job right, following plumbing codes and providing quality work.
Over the years, however, you have probably come to know Maeser, as just, Maeser. We have been around long enough and have a well-established ego that we feel most people have used our service or at least know about us. Certainly you have seen our big trucks with the bubbles and the adorable duck we affectionately call Ducky.
Ducky makes his appearances at all kinds of events including the University of Louisville versus North Carolina football game. He was sporting a big cardinal tattoo on his cheek and was getting his picture taken with U of L fans, kids, dogs, the U of L cheerleaders and even the military. We provided the photos for free, however, if you donated money to get your picture taken, it was sent to Kosair Children's Hospital.
Along with Ducky, you may have seen our float in the Gaslight Festival Parade or in the Middletown's Family Fun Festival and Craft Show in September. Our float consists of a bathtub with a faucet and in the Middletown Parade we had a special group of guys called the River City Thunder Baseball team join us on our float.
Maeser was also proud to sponsor the Million Dollar Duck for the Ken-Ducky Derby and Harbor House of Louisville, which provides quality care to adults with developmental and physical disabilities.
Through out the years Marvin Maeser Plumbing has been involved in providing service and materials on many Habitat for Humanity homes as well.
Maeser likes to give back to the community and to the wonderful customers that have been loyal to us over the years. So we want to take this opportunity to say Thank You.
Thank you for allowing us to enter your home and provide you service. Thank you for trusting us to know when your equipment needs to be replaced or if it can be repaired. And finally, thank you for giving us the opportunity to provide you and your family the best possible comfort when it comes to plumbing, heating, cooling or bathroom remodeling.
And if you see our duck on the big yellow truck, wave…our tech may have a plastic duck for you!
Maeser Services / Joni Crume
Decisions…we make them every second of every day. Sometimes the decisions we make aren't life changing, however, some decisions we make can improve our lives, save us money, help the environment, or keep us safe. When it comes to plumbing, heating, cooling, bathroom remodeling or geothermal, Maeser can educate you on some of the choices you have to make, guiding you to the right decision for your family.
Everyone with a home needs a water heater to, well, heat up water. We want warm water for a shower or bath, to use your dishwasher or to wash your clothes.
There are different types of water heaters, however, so choose the one that works for you. The standard cylinder water heater is filled with water and has a heating mechanism at the bottom. They come in different sizes so if you have a growing family, you may consider a higher capacity water heater. You can also choose a Tankless water heater. It is energy efficient, supplies hot water on demand, is environmentally friendly, reduces your utility bill and will last twice as long as a standard water heater. As always, check out the pros and cons of any water heater you choose.
If you are building a new home or needing to replace your heater or air conditioning unit, consider geothermal. Although the standard HVAC system is competent, and Maeser installs and repairs all types of units, the benefits of geothermal are worth a review. Upfront the cost is more to install, however, geothermal can save you 40-70% in heating costs and 30-50% in cooling costs compared to conventional systems. Within 5 years, the estimated energy savings for geothermal is $6,600, compared to a high-efficiency heat pump system which is estimated at only $3,000. With rebates and local and federal tax credit, the initial cost is dramatically reduced.
Choosing to change the look or even remodel your bathroom to conform to your lifestyle may make your early morning routine less hectic. Perhaps you have a large whirlpool tub that is somewhat impractical for your lifestyle now. Consider installing a large shower with grab bars for safety and a spa-system shower head. The options are limitless and Maeser can guide you to the best and most economical option for you and your family. We can design a layout to fit your budget, then coordinate the entire project.
Choices can sometimes be a daunting proposition, but with the goals you have in mind, and a clear vision as to what will work best for your family, the first step is already taken. A little guidance from experts in the field can help you make the right decision. And when deciding on a plumbing, heating, cooling or bathroom remodeling company, we hope you choose Maeser.
Maeser Services / Joni Crume
Have you ever left your house and a few minutes later realized you forgot your cell phone? I bet you turned the car around and retrieved your phone. America has embraced the connectivity the cell phone has given us. We crave being three seconds away from our mom, dad, friend, best restaurant or scheduling a plumber for an emergency. Being able to talk or text someone within seconds is only half of the capabilities of a cell phone (as long as it's a "smart" phone). You can play games on it, take pictures with it, keep your calendar of events on it, and if you have Internet capabilities, you can access anything on the world wide web. And what the cell phone can't do, you can usually find an app that will.
Maeser is a state-of-the-art company and staying connected in every possible way to our loyal customers is one of our priorities. That is why we made sure our web site is compatible to your smart phone. So whether you access the web site through our url address (maeser.com) or scan our QR code, you can be advised on the best water heater or air conditioner for your family, find out how to obtain endless hot water, view our bathroom remodeling projects, view our universal design or aging in place bathrooms, learn about energy-efficient geothermal systems, or schedule an appointment: all from your cell phone. We make it easy and convenient because we value our customers. We know how much stress is related to a backed-up sink, cold showers every morning or a sewer-related problem, so we make sure our contact information is available on the device that has become such a big part of our lives.
You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter from your smart phone. And please feel free to put our number on speed dial. (502) 206-4192.
Schedule your fall maintenance today before the rush!
Maeser Master Services
When it comes to our home, we want our surroundings, and in this case, our bathroom, to match our personality and style. You may just want to introduce some new accessories, change the color scheme or theme or do a massive bathroom remodel that coincides with your lifestyle. One thing that is a constant for any degree of decorating plan is functionality. Pair functionality with beauty and you have not only a delightful, practical space, but a bathroom you would be proud to allow your guests to use. To begin, let's start with the basics.
Let's talk about color. If you are wanting to change the color of your bathroom and not sure what color you want, start with asking yourself a few questions. What is your favorite color? What color combinations make you take pause and sigh? Would colors in nature appeal to you? What are your hobbies? If you are a hunter, consider camouflage; ok, perhaps not the whole bathroom, but aspects of it such as hunter greens, deep musky browns or natural fiber colors. Are you a scrap-booker? What colors are your "go-to" colors? Is your job tedious and monotonous? Don't make your bathroom that way; go big, with bold, bright colors that add excitement to your life.
Blues and greens have a calming effect, whereas bold red, orange and purple are more intense, thereby making your heart race a bit. Think about how color makes you feel and start being aware of those colors. Take pictures with your cell phone of colors you find in the grocery store, patterns in clothing, floral arrangements or upholstery patterns. Color is everywhere and it can change our mood, excite us, calm us, inspire us and motivate us.
If, however, color intimidates you, go neutral! White, cream, taupe and browns can be spectacular when accessorized with bold and bright towels, pictures, shower curtain, tile, lighting, mirrors, medicine cabinet, window treatments, etc.
Digressing just a bit here, I took a long weekend to chill, regroup and unwind at a gorgeous log cabin at Rough River, Kentucky. The owner of the cabin decorated with such simplicity, and yet followed the "log cabin" theme of river, water, boating, fishing and hunting. This was a departure from my normal life and therefore, a relaxing experience. The walls and floors in the bathrooms were all wood, so in order to work with this theme, hunter green and "river water" blue colors were introduced. Simple and yet so effective because she worked with the neutral wood colors and created a pleasing, "woodsy" atmosphere.
Consequently, when choosing your colors, make sure they work with the features that you are not changing, such as the wall tile or flooring. Choosing a blue/green color scheme may be nice, however, pairing it with pink wall tile may be aesthetically disturbing. (Speaking of disturbing, you may want to entertain the idea of changing the pink tile!)
So color will start you thinking about which direction you want to go. Just make sure your style is reflected in whatever color scheme you choose. After that, think about changing your fixtures; but that is for another day and another blog.
Maeser Services / Joni Crume
Have you ever had a person you didn't know go out of their way to help you out or give you advice that didn't necessarily benefit them? Have you walked into a store and been greeted by an employee that acted as though they were truly glad you were there? Did they help you find what you were looking for or just point a finger in the general vicinity of the item? Every business should strive for the customer service difference.
Businesses have a multitude of different ways to add value to their product or service, however, they fail in any one area, and it can leave a bitter taste in the mouth of a customer.
Building customer loyalty is the goal of every business, so when a customer calls, the front-line employees answering the phone are representing your company. Cheery and helpful customer representatives can turn the demeanor of any customer from sour to delighted. If your company is a service-oriented company and your employees go to a customer's home, the customer has to feel comfortable and trust your employee. Having a clean uniform, and as my mother always said, "a wholesome appearance", makes the customer feel at ease. These employees are the ambassadors of your company. They represent the image you are wanting your company to portray, and the excellent service your customers expect. They are the "product" you are selling because of their knowledge and experience. Keeping them informed, knowledgeable and well trained, makes your company look like experts in their field.
Marvin Maeser applied this mission and beliefs to his company 38 years ago and we still practice them today. Maeser is a service-oriented company and is the name our customers have trusted for plumbing, heating, cooling and bathroom remodeling. We pride ourselves on having the best trained technicians in the industry. They are licensed and experienced servicemen and they are important and respected members of our Maeser family. We value our customers and value the employees that service our customers. The Maeser difference is customer service. We guarantee it.
Maeser Services / Joni Crume
The dog days of summer are July 3 through August 11 and yep, we are in the thick of it right now. There are days that I ponder how people survived without air conditioning. Perhaps lots of front porch swinging with ice cold lemonade. But modern conveniences have improved our comfort and we expect those comforts to work flawlessly.
So what steps should you take if your air conditioner stops working?
- One of the most common causes of a cooling issue is a tripped breaker. Breakers are designed to protect your system and your home. Tripped breakers, if not addressed, can lead to expensive repairs.
- Change your air filter once a month and more often if you have several pets. A dirty air filter restricts air flow, reduces air quality, makes a home uncomfortable and can result in frozen indoor coils. This can lead to expensive repairs.
- An A/C system is a sealed system and should not have a refrigerant leak. However, if it does, efficiency falls, electricity use rises, your air conditioner may not cool, the coil may freeze and the compressor could become damaged. The problem may be as simple as a bad valve or a weakened connection.
- Check to make sure the switch isn't turned off. Some heating and A/C systems have a wall switch at the indoor unit for safety and convenience. This wall switch may have accidently been switched off or left off during mild weather.
- Thermostat problems are another issue that should be looked at when your A/C isn't cooling properly. Some thermostats must be toggled between heating and cooling modes. If it is in the wrong position or breaks, your A/C won’t start. Quality digital thermostats rarely fail. Some of the cheaper digital thermostats have a switch that might break or a voltage spike might cause a malfunction.
You can still swing on your front porch or even drink lemonade. But if you follow our advice, and keep your A/C system running efficiently, when the heat becomes just a little too much to bear, you can bask in the coolness of your air conditioned home.