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Hot Water Systems and
Home Inspections
Pre-Purchase Home, Building, Condo, and Co-op Inspections in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island, Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, Putnam, and Westchester
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In residences (homes, condos, and co-ops) the hot water is used for bathing and cleaning. In some buildings, the hot water serves to sterilize equipment that is used by the general public.
Besides comfort, hot water serves a vital role in maintaining good health. To serve this role, the hot water must be produced at an appropriate temperature.
Most homes, buildings, condos, and co-ops have a tankless hot water heater, a hot water heater with a storage tank, a hot water booster tank, or an indirect-fired hot water heater.
The Engineers of Heimer Engineering evaluate the hot water system in the home or building you are considering purchasing and advises you if it is sufficient. You are also advised of the need to budget for upcoming replacement of the hot water heater.
The expense analysis in the engineering report helps you understand the expenses involved in repairing or replacing the hot water system.
Hot Water Temperature
In homes, buildings, condos, and co-ops, the temperature of the hot water should be around 120 degrees Fahrenheit, although some dishwasher manufacturers recommend 130 degrees Fahrenheit to assure that the dishes will be properly cleaned and sterilized. Lower temperatures are recommended by others to reduce the risk of scalding and reduce energy consumption. A lower temperature, however, increases the risk of bacteria growth.
Hot water that would scald in seconds at 140 degrees Fahrenheit will take minutes to cause the same level of injury at less than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Many hot water systems produce hot water at well over 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
The risk of scalding or serious burns, especially to children and elderly people, is high. When possible, our Engineers measure the hot water temperature and advises you of hazards.
Hot Water Heater
Life Expectancy
Hot water heater life expectancy varies dramatically depending on the type of hot water heater. A tankless hot water heater can last as long as the heating system in which it is mounted, although effectiveness may diminish over time. An automatic storage hot water heater, hot water booster tank, or an indirect-fired hot water heater typically lasts from seven to 15 years. Our Engineers evaluate the hot water system, and advises you of remaining life expectancy.
Tankless Hot
Water Heaters
A tankless hot water heater heats the water by circulating it through coils inside a boiler. As the water circulates through the coils, it is heated.
Tankless hot water heaters may suffer from performance problems, especially as they age. Many systems start out at an initial temperature hot enough to scald. After running for a short time, this hot temperature may fall to a relatively low temperature. To help overcome this problem, many people install hot water booster tanks in conjunction with a tankless hot water heater.
A variation of the tankless hot water heater is the instant hot water heater, sometimes called the demand hot water heater. In an instant hot water heater, water passes over a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is kept warm, usually by a gas flame or electric coil.
Hot Water Booster Tanks
A hot water booster tank works in conjunction with a tankless hot water heater. Most hot water booster tanks are small hot water heaters. The water is pre-heated in the tankless hot water heater. The heated water than circulates into the hot water booster tank. The hot water booster tank stores the hot water, and warms it if necessary. This increases the amount of available hot water, although at the cost of greater energy consumption. Often, hot water boosted booster tanks are electric, which makes them expensive to operate.
Hot Water Heaters
With Storage Tanks
When many people say hot water heater, they are typically referring to a single unit that both heats and stores the water. This type of unit is sometimes called an automatic storage hot water heater. This type of unit must have some method of heating the water (typically oil, gas, or electricity) along with a tank to store the heated water.
The size of the storage tank is typically between 30 and 120 gallons, depending on the type of fuel used and the amount of hot water needed. Heimer Engineering's Licensed Engineers evaluate both the fuel and the hot water demands to determine if the hot water heater is sufficient in size.
Indirect-Fired
Hot Water Heaters
An indirect-fired hot water heater consists of a storage tank, a circulator pump, and a boiler that serves as a heat source. The boiler (and the water is contains) is kept hot. When the storage tank of hot water falls below a certain temperature, an aquastat activates the circulator pump. The boiler-heated water is circulated through coils in the hot water storage tank.
This process heats the water in the storage tank. The water heated in the boiler never contacts the water in the storage tank.
In the Metro New York area (with its half-year heating season), an indirect-fired hot water heater might be less expensive to operate than a separate hot water heater. In addition, during very cold days the boiler may not be able to heat the house and produce hot water simultaneously.
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Contact Heimer Engineering℠
Heimer Engineering℠ is happy to help you. Senior Staff members are available Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM. After 5 PM, please leave a message. Messages are checked during the day on Sunday, and Sunday evening through Thursday evening. Inspections are performed seven days a week.
Heimer Engineering's℠ inspection fees are competitive with non-Engineer's fees, especially when you consider that many non-Engineers charge extra for termite inspections, swimming pools, etc.
Inspection orders are taken by senior staff members. A real estate purchase is complex and you should be able to speak with someone who can answer your inspection questions.
To set up an appointment for a pre-purchase inspection or to find out about Engineering services or expert court testimony email Info@heimer.com, text 888.769.6910, or call 800.605.1500. If no staff member is in the office, leave a message.
Ask About a Web Discount
Heimer Engineering℠ serves the Metro New York area, including New York City (Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Bronx, Staten Island), Long Island (Nassau County, Suffolk County, and Upstate New York (Rockland County, Putnam County, and Westchester County).
Heimer Engineering℠ respects your privacy. Some home inspection firms share information with insurance, landscaping, home maintenance, moving, cable, mortgage, and other companies. You will not receive phone calls or solicitation emails from third parties as a result of providing us with personal information. For more information, see our Privacy Policy.
In the event of a life-threatening emergency call 911. Emergency situations need to be handled by first-responders who can evacuate buildings, shut utilities off, and take other steps necessary to preserve life.
Standards of Practice
and Code of Ethics
Our Licensed Engineers substantially adhere to the InterNACHI® Code of Ethics, to Subpart 197-4 of the State of New York Code of Ethics and Regulations for Home Inspectors, the ASHI® Standards of Practice, and the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE®) Code of Ethics. In the event of a conflict, the Licensed Engineer uses Engineering judgment to decide what standard or Engineering principle takes precedence. All State of New York Licensed Engineers are bound by New York State Education Law Article 145.
Discounts
Ask about a web discount. Discounts are also available for referrals (attorney, real estate broker, mortgage broker, co-worker, friend) first time buyers, senior citizens, military (army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard), first responders (police, ambulance, fire), municipal employees, security personnel, and union members.
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Inspections are performed only after the client signs a Pre-Inspection Agreement. Use of this website is governed by our Terms of Use. This website is made available for informational purposes and does not represent a professional opinion of your situation.
Heimer Engineering℠ performs home inspections, building inspections, condo inspections, and co-op inspections in the State of New York. Expert witness services are provided regarding playground injuries, parking lot, walkway, and stairway slip, trip, and fall.
The Heimer Engineering℠ website was designed and is maintained by Harold Krongelb PE. The contents of this website were written by Harold Krongelb P.E. This website is not intended to offer Engineering opinions or advice. Sitemaps and indexing information can be found at Page Sitemap, Image Sitemap, Mobile Sitemap, and Video Sitemap.
©1997-2018 Andrea and Harold Krongelb. All rights reserved. Used under license by Heimer Engineering PC.
Heimer Engineering PCf/k/a Richard L Heimer PE PC
2171 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 230
Commack, New York, USA 11725-2947
New York Metro: 800.605.1500
New York Metro: 800.640.8090
New York Metro: 646.757.4500
Bronx, New York: 718.547.2000
Brooklyn, New York: 718.237.7777
Manhattan, New York: 212.563.4777
Long Island, New York: 516.487.2100
Long Island, New York: 631.549.2500
Nassau County, New York: 516.487.2100
Putnam County, New York: 845.638.4900
Queens, New York: 718.544.3000
Staten Island, New York: 718.227.5000
Suffolk County, New York: 631.858.5500
Suffolk County, New York: 631.288.3900
Suffolk County, New York: 631.549.2500
Westchester County, New York: 914.576.6100
Fax: 631.858.5599, 646.795.4571
Text: 888.769.6910
URL: www.heimer.com
Email: Info@heimer.com