From small drips and leaks to major problems, a professional plumber can insure that a simple bathroom plumbing issue isn’t poised to become an expensive emergency 

DENVER, CO - There are few rooms in the home more essential than the bathroom, as the plumbing fixtures there are subjected to a daily workout by every member of the family from the first shower in the morning to the last wash-up and tooth brushing before bed. Whether the home has but one bathroom or a whole host of personal and guest bathrooms, these amenities need to be in proper working order day in and day out to ensure no lifestyle interruptions.

Trouble is, there is so much going on in a bathroom that plumbing fixtures wear out over time and repeated use, and require periodic maintenance to guarantee they are performing at the level required. Those nagging drips or running toilets can consume hundreds of gallons of water every day, plus more serious problems - like pipes leaking into the floors or walls - often go undetected until they have created thousands of dollars in damage.

Bathroom plumbing, especially in the newer, modern homes with multiple fixtures and specialty fixtures like spas and whirlpool tubs, is a very complicated system that often requires inspection and work done by a professional plumber. Indeed, many professional plumbers specializing in bathroom fixtures report they often get called in after a homeowner has hit a snag on that Do-It-Yourself fix-it project.

Since bathrooms get such a workout, any homeowner wishing to forestall problems from happening is advised to have the plumbing fixtures inspected once every two years to ensure all the connections are water tight, the fixtures are working properly, and there are no telltale signs of water damage or the early stages of corrosion from hard water. A complete inspection offers peace of mind, and if anything out of place is detected it is much less expensive, in both money and downtime points of view, to have the problem solved before it escalates into a plumbing catastrophe.

Plumbing professionals are, however, also experts at bathroom plumbing repair - including fixing those nagging drips and leaks or, if the need arises, emergency repairs when a pipe bursts or a fixture fails.

Denver bathroom plumbing repair experts report that the most typical bathroom plumbing repair calls are:

• Toilets - leaking or constantly running toilets can waste as much as 200 gallons of water a day, an unnecessary expense that any professional plumber can easily fix. Toilets leaking around the base indicate that water is seeping into the floor, and into the ceiling of the room below, and can lead to structural damage. Professional plumbers can repair the toilet mechanism or replace the toilet with a new one that matches the bathroom color and décor.
• Faucets - faucets get so much use that drips and leaks are a normal occurrence. Amazingly, a faucet dripping one drip per second wastes more than 3,100 gallons of water every year. For the most part, faucet repairs involve the simple replacement of gaskets or washers, however fixtures do wear out and periodically require replacement. Most professional plumbers have access to a wide array of bathroom faucet fixtures to match the décor or to upgrade to a dream faucet.
• Drains - slow and clogged drains are commonplace, and remedies such as pipe snakes or retail chemical drain cleaners, in the hands of a homeowner, often do more harm than good. A professional plumber can quickly diagnose and repair the problem with the proper tools - and make sure there is no bigger problem just waiting to happen.
• Water pressure - improper water pressure, either too high or too low, can not only be a hassle, it can indicate a much more pressing issue impacting the whole house. A professional plumber can determine the source of the problem and quickly fix it before it escalates into an expensive propostion.
• Hot water - hot water, of course, is at the heart of a great bathroom, and many people report issues with water temperature. The problem could be as small as a malfunctioning single-lever faucet not mixing the hot and cold properly, or it could be a corrosive block in the hot water pipe, or it could, of course, be an inadequate water heater of a water heater on the blink. A professional plumber can figure out the proper course of action quickly and could save the expense of a new water heater or a potential pipe problem.

Professional bathroom plumbing maintenance and bathroom plumbing repair, done on a regular basis and when small problems first arise, can be among the most money-saving undertakings a homeowner can do to maintain the family lifestyle. Check a plumber’s references and experience to insure the selected plumber has expertise in the type of fixtures and systems within the home, however rest assured that the cost of a professional plumber will be an investment against an emergency and money well spent.

In the Denver area, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver has more than 30 years of experience in bathroom plumbing maintenance, bathroom plumbing repair, and bathroom remodeling.

punctual-post-spring-2010-edited.pdf

Click on the link above to view our latest newsletter- the Summer 2010 Edition.  Check out a fun summer recipe to help make your barbeques a hit, and don’t forget to look for us on Facebook and Twitter!

DENVER, CO - There a few things more vexing in maintaining a home than a leaking or antiquated toilet, and in these summer months when water conservation is key a new toilet will not only drastically cut water use, but also guarantee there won’t be any lifestyle adjustments due to malfunctions in one of the most important rooms in the house, the bathroom.

The plumbing professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver point out that outdated toilets, particularly in older homes where the fixtures haven’t been updated in years, can consume up to 19 gallons of water per day per person in normal use, and if they are leaking or running they can waste as much as 200 gallons of water every day. A new high-efficiency toilet will stop the leaks and cut normal water usage by more than a third, to just 12 gallons of water each day per person.

Also, says Steve Jusseaume, owner and founder of the 32-year old Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, the new types of toilets on the market today are also more efficient in evacuating solid waste and are better for a home’s sewer system as well.

“Contrary to the common misconception that so-called low-flow toilets don’t flush as well as old-school toilets and require more flushing and a lifestyle change, the new high-efficiency toilets we install actually operate at higher pressures and greater efficiency,” adds Jusseaume. “If fact, our customers report that their new high-efficiency toilets are like what they are used to in their office buildings or other commercial settings. They love them.”

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program, toilets are by far the main source of water usage in the home, accounting for nearly 30 percent of an average’s home’s daily indoor water consumption. The EPA estimates that if everyone in America switched to a WaterSense labeled toilet it would save nearly 2 billion gallons of water a day across the country.

Ben Franklin’s Jusseaume notes that the new toilets on the market are also quite stylish, and there’s a model to meet the demands of any décor, to replace an existing toilet or to be a beautiful complement to a fully remodeled bathroom.

“Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver just replaced our old toilet with a very beautiful model from a company called VitrA,” says a plumbing customer in Denver. “They were able to perfectly match the color of our existing sink and shower fixtures. We couldn’t be more pleased.”

Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver carries, in stock, toilets and other bathroom fixtures from the top brands in the industry, including Toto, Kohler, American Standard, Crane, Elger, Briggs, and Vitra, and the firm will work with designers and suppliers to find any toilet that meets a customer’s need.

The VitrA brand is from a company headquartered in Istanbul, Turkey that was founded more than 70 years ago to create a wide variety earthenware products, from tea cups to electrical sockets. Today VitrA is an international brand inspired by the “sociable, luxurious Turkish Hamman culture,” says the VitrA website, and the company makes a wide array of plumbing fixtures, bathroom furniture, tiles and building chemicals. VitrA has won numerous design awards for its products, including garnering four prestigious design awards in 2006 alone:. The İstanbul Collection by Ross Lovegrove won the Wallpaper Design Award for Best Bathroom, a Good Design Award and a Red Dot Design Award; distinguished designer Defne Koz was also recognized with a Red Dot Design Award for her İznik Collection were also recognized with a Red Dot Design Award. For more information visit www.vitra-usa.com.

Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver was founded in 1978 as Deer Creek Plumbing and became a member of the Number 1 residential plumbing franchise in America, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, in 2005. Still family owned and operated, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver employs fully licensed plumbers and performs a full complement of plumbing services, from the repair and installation of boilers and water heaters, to repairing and replacing sewer lines, water mains and more. The firm also specializes in home remodeling projects for the kitchen, laundry room, basements and bathrooms.

For more information on new high-efficiency toilets and the full spectrum of home plumbing services available from Benjamin franklin Plumbing of Denver, call 1-866-PUNCTUAL or visit   http://www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com/.

DENVER, CO - Mortgage rates at the end of May have hit record-low territory and may go even lower this summer, and coupled with lower housing prices experts believe this may be the best time in years to buy a home.The plumbing professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver advise prospective homebuyers to have the selected property’s plumbing inspected, particularly on older homes, to ensure that there are no expensive potential problems lurking in the sewer system, sprinkler system, water mains, drains, fixtures and water-based appliances.”

Our licensed plumbers do full-house plumbing inspections before a purchase is made, and sometimes these inspections turn up issues that have very real material effects on the home buying decision,” says Steve Jusseaume, Founder and Owner of the 32-year-old family owned business.

“Potential buyers have used our inspections to renegotiate the purchase  price of the home, to have the current owner fix the problems before buying, and in some cases simply to just walk away and find another home. When we don’t find any problems, then the buyers have the peace of mind that, from a plumbing perspective, they have made an excellent choice.”Jusseaume also recommends that home sellers have a full-house plumbing inspection before placing their home on the market.They can find problems early and take care of them or discover that the home’s plumbing is in tip-top shape - and present the inspection and any problems addressed as a major competitive selling point to buyers, he says.Home buying in Colorado and nationally set a brisk pace in March and April as buyers rushed to take advantage of up to $8,000 is federal tax credits being offered for purchase contracts consummated by April 30 with sales completed by June 30.However, many experts expect the housing market to continue its return to health over the next several months, spurred on by pent-up demand from slow sales during the recession and also by the lowest mortgage rates posted in decades.Freddie Mac, one of the chief quasi-governmental companies involved in the mortgage industry, quoted 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) rates of 4.8% for the week of May 20 - the lowest rate for such debt instruments since 1972, the year Freddie Mac began to track rates on a daily basis. That year the average for a 30-year FRM was 8.04%, rising to 13.47% on average in 1980, 10.13% in 1990, and 8.05% in 2000. This past decade has shown a steady decline in rates, but the current 4.8% is the lowest on record and real estate observers believe it will drop even further over the summer.

“There probably hasn’t been a better time to buy or sell a house in my lifetime,” says Jusseaume, the veteran plumber.”But people have to make the right decision, and potential plumbing problems rank right up there with the most expensive repairs and upgrade a homeowner will face.”A Complete Home Plumbing Inspection from Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver, performed by the company’s professional and fully licensed plumbers, ranges from checking out every system in the house for any obvious problems, to more detailed diagnostic services if a potential problem is identified. The costs vary, as detailed diagnostics run the gamut from simple to complex, but such an inspection will lead to years of worry-free home ownership.For complete details on Complete Home Plumbing Inspections for home buyers and sellers alike from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, call toll-free 866-PUNCTUAL, local at 303-340-3400 and visithttp://www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com/denver-plumbing-inspections.php.

DENVER, CO - With warmer weather coming, longer days, school ending, more outdoor activities, and even vacations on the horizon, summer is a popular season for home remodeling projects, and the plumbing pros at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver say that plumbing is often at the heart of the changes.”The most popular home remodeling projects involve new or upgraded bathrooms, and refreshed and expanded kitchens and,” says Steve Jusseaume, owner and founder of the 32-year-old family business. “The key to the work is plumbing. That’s why we have hooked up with contractors and have connections with fixture manufacturers so we can help customers through every phase of a remodel, from concept and design through construction.”Jusseaume, a master plumber who has vast experience in remodeling projects, adds that the most critical aspect of many remodeling projects is the need for plumbing upgrades to handle the demands of modern households.

Older homes in particular, he says, were not originally designed to handle the addition of extra bathrooms, the installation of a spa or hot tub, kitchens with extra faucets, dishwashers and large-capacity washing machines.”Often we have to make some basic plumbing changes to ensure every desired water need in the house is met,” says Jusseaume. “One of the biggest things that comes up is the need for greater hot water capacity and, of course, we are experts at home hot water heating solutions.”Home remodeling projects are often required to meet the needs of a growing family, and Jusseaume says that is manifest the majority of the time in a higher demand for hot water.  The solution gaining in popularity is tankless hot water heating systems that provide endless hot water for every need in the home, while at the same time being highly energy efficient compared with traditional tank hot water heaters.Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, part of the top national residential plumbing contractor franchise in the country, has its own proprietary tankless hot water system solutions called GoHOT. Available in various sizes to handle the needs of any size home, natural gas-fueled GoHOT tankless water heating systems take up less space than traditional water heater tanks, as they are mounted flush to a wall, and since they only heat water when needed, tankless systems can save homeowners about half the cost on utilities now being charged for hot water.”Not only do you get endless hot water and energy savings, but through 2010 the federal government is offering up to a $1,500 tax credit on the cost of a tankless hot water system and installation,” notes Jusseaume.Beyond hot water, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver customers are looking at new kitchens, new and upgraded bathrooms, second-floor laundry rooms, and finishing basements, including the addition of basement bathrooms and wetbars. The plumbing pros specialize in installing sinks, tubs and showers of all types and leading brand names.

In addition, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing can upgrade laundry rooms, install dishwashers, install and repair ice makers and a whole host of modern conveniences, like water faucets next to cook-tops for the pasta chef in anyone.Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver was Deer Creek Plumbing for 28 years before joining the national franchise organization Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in 2005. Family owned and operated, the company taps the national resources of the Number One residential plumbing franchise in the country, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver employs licensed plumbers and handles every home plumbing need, from small leaks and slow drains, to main sewer and water lines, sump pumps, water softeners, gas lines and more.To schedule a guaranteed appointment and for complete information on all of the remodeling and plumbing services from Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver - The Punctual Plumber - call toll free 866-PUNCTUAL, local at 303-340-3400 and visit www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com.

Recently, our technician Keith, was in a Denver home and noticed that the customer looked distressed.  Upon asking if the customer  was alright
she responded that she had a headache.  He asked if anyone else in the house had been experiencing headaches.  She responded that since they had moved in, 3 months prior, everyone had complained of headaches.

Keith then realized that there might be a carbon monoxide leak in the house.  After getting test equipment from his truck, Keith found toxic levels of carbon monoxide.  This example occurs far too often in our community.

As professionals we are responsible to bring this message to our community.  Every winter we hear about fatalities.  But low to moderate levels of carbon monoxide occur EVERY DAY!  In the warm weather your attic fan can cause carbon monoxide to be drawn throughout  the house. Combustion air vents must be in place and not blocked off.

If you think there is a possibility that this is happening in your home please call a professional.

To read more about carbon monoxide poisoning, please visit http://www.carbon-monoxide-poisoning.com/article1-co-levels.html

From all of us at Ben Franklin Plumbing, we wish you a safe 2010!

Governor’s Energy Office “Recharge Colorado” energy rebate program is immediately oversubscribed on “tankless water heaters,” proving the popularity and efficiency of this endless supply of hot water, says Ben Franklin Plumbing of DenverDENVER, CO - Colorado consumers eager to cash in on energy-efficient rebates from the Governor’s Energy Office clogged phone lines and the internet on the program’s first day April 19, and those lucky enough to register locked up the entire rebate allocation for tankless hot water heaters in a matter of hours.The oversubscription on $300 tankless hot water heater rebates put the public spotlight on one of the most energy-efficient and energy-saving home appliances on the market, says Steve Jusseaume, owner of Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver, but he notes that significant incentives to upgrade to tankless technology are still in place.”The federal government is offering up to $1,500 in tax credits - credits, not deductions - for the purchase and installation of a tankless hot water heating system through the end of 2010, and most ultility companies have rebates too,” Jusseaume notes. “But the real advantage in tankless hot water heaters is endless hot water for every need in your home at a fraction of the energy cost of a traditional hot water heater.”Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver, through its affiliation with the Number One plumbing residential franchise operation in America, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing, is an exclusive distributor of GoHOT tankless hot water heaters.

Jusseaume explains that the GoHOT appliances heat water on demand, supplying an endless supply of fresh hot water to every appliance and fixture in the home even if they are all in operation at once.In addition to endless hot water, tankless hot water heating systems are compact in design and can be mounted to a wall inside or outside of the home. Also, GoHOT tankless hot water heaters are rated at an energy efficiency of 83% to over 90%, compared to just 60% from traditional tank hot water heaters, which adds up to significant savings on utility bills. Indeed, Xcel Energy, the main utility provider for the Denver Metro area, offers a $100 energy bill rebate to any Colorado customer installing a tankless hot water heater in recognition of its energy-saving attributes.”Certainly the tax credits and the energy-efficiency rebates have raised awareness for tankless hot water heaters, but to be honest we’re installing more and more of our GoHOT systems all the time because people truly want to greatly improve the delivery of hot water in their home and save energy,” says Ben Franklin’s Jusseaume.The Governor’s Energy Office Recharge Colorado program has $18 million available for consumer rebates on certain home appliances and home improvements, and there are funds allocated to different categories that will be distributed until the money is claimed. Under the program, for instance, the GEO set aside enough money for a $75 rebate on a qualifying clothes washer, with a limit of 4,000 units in that category, and up to $100 for a refrigerator, with 6,000 rebates allocated.

The state set a limit of 500, $300 rebates for tankless hot water heaters. For more information on the program, to claim a rebate or to be placed on a waiting list for oversubscribed categories with unfulfilled reservations, visit the Recharge Colorado website at http://rechargecolorado.com.For information on the federal government tax credits for energy-efficient appliances and home improvements visit http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits for full details. For energy bill rebates offered by Xcel Energy in Colorado visit  http://www.xcelenergy.com/COLORADO/RESIDENTIAL/PROGRAMS_RESOURCES/HEATINGANDCOOLINGREBATES/Pages/WaterHeaterRebates.aspx.Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver personnel also have full details on all these tax credit and rebates and can assist customers in making claims and filing the necessary paperwork.Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver has been family owned since its founding in the Denver Metro area in 1978, first as Deer Creek Plumbing and, since 2005, under the Ben Franklin banner. The firm offers complete residential plumbing services, including leak repairs, remodeling upgrades, home inspections, sewer service and many more core capabilities, with licensed plumbers. For more information and to schedule a guaranteed appointment call 1-866-PUNCTUAL (866-786-2882), 303-340-3400 or visit http://www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com/.

A program of the EPA’s WaterSense partnership, Fix a Leak Week is a great time to make sure a home’s plumbing system is operating properly, says owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing. Leaks account for an average of 10,000 gallons of water wasted per year in the home.

DENVER, Colo. - It’s national Fix a Leak Week March 15-21, 2010, and the master plumbers at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver advise that a few simple checks and fixes could save homeowners thousands of gallons of water each year, lower water bills and improve the operation of their home plumbing systems.

“Fix a Leak Week was establish by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its WaterSense partnership, and it’s a great awareness program for people to check around the house to see if their plumbing is operating properly,” says Steve Jusseaume, a master plumber and owner of Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver. “An enormous amount of water is wasted through leaks in the home that people aren’t aware of, and we hope this program gets people to save water and money.”

According to the EPA’s WaterSense program:

• Leaks can account for, on average, 10,000 gallons of water wasted in the home every year, enough to fill a backyard swimming pool.
• The amount of water leaked from U.S. homes could exceed more than 1 trillion gallons of water every year. That’s equivalent to the annual water use of Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami - combined.
• 10% of American homes have leaks in faucets, toilets, showerheads or sprinkler systems that waste over 90 gallons of water a day.
• Just one leaky faucet can waste more than 3,100 gallons of water every year.

Taking a cue from WaterSense, Jusseaume notes that checking for leaks around the home is easy. The first step is to listen, as many leaks are audible. Then inspect each and every faucet in the home and outside for signs of dripping - spots of water in the basin or on the splash outside. For toilets, Jusseaume says to put a little food coloring in the tank; if color seeps into the bowl, the toilet is leaking.

Many of these types of leaks can be fixed easily, most by replacing a washer or gasket in the fixture’s spout, says Jusseaume. A faucet leaking at one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons of water per year, he adds.

Toilets that run all the time could be wasting as much as 200 gallons of water a day, the Ben Franklin Plumber says. The most common problem is a broken or worn flapper in the tank, and it’s a quick job to replace it.

Of course, Jesseaume notes that sometimes leaks are undetectable by a non-professional. But a homeowner can narrow down a problem by following some simple steps from Denver Water.  The water agency says to first locate the water meter for the house, and then the water shut-off valve for your home; it can be inside or out and is commonly located where the main water line enters the foundation. Then turn off all faucets, outlets and water-using appliances in the home. Note the gallon calculating sweep hand on the meter (it looks very much like the second hand on a watch). Wait about 30 minutes, then check the meter again: if it has moved, you have a leak somewhere. Then, close the main shut-off valve; if the indicator on the meter stops, you have a leak inside the home. If the indicator is still moving, the leak is underground between the water meter and the shut-off valve.

“Many homeowners can handle simple leaks and repairs with a few dollars worth of washers and gaskets from the hardware store,” says Jusseaume. “But if the leak is underground or more severe, or if the toilet won’t stop running, it’s time to call in a professional plumber and get the problem solved. It’ll save the homeowner money in the long run, prevent any further water damage, and of course it will help conserve a precious resource, water.”

Jusseaume adds that if it’s time to replace fixtures like faucets and toilets, the WaterSense program and plumbers alike recommend fixtures carrying the WaterSense label as they are approved for today’s water-conscious requirements and will save homeowners money on water bills.

As an extra incentive on new fixtures, Denver Water offers many rebates to residential customers who buy and install qualifying high-efficiency toilets, washing machines, rains sensors, water heaters and other water-efficient fixtures. In addition, some of these appliances may qualify for rebates through the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office, and for federal tax credits through the U.S. government’s Energy Star program.

WaterSense, launched in 2006, is an EPA-sponsored partnership of local water utilities and governments, product manufacturers, retailers, consumers and other stakeholders dedicated to promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices.

Family owned and operated for over 30 years, Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver provides the full array of plumbing services throughout the Metro Denver area. For more information or to schedule a guaranteed appointment, visit www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com  or call 303-340-3400.

Consumers to get money back for hot water heaters and other appliances, solar panels, insulation, and home efficiency improvements. The Governor’s Energy Office encourages homeowners to plan ahead - when the money runs out, the rebates end.

DENVER - March 16, 2010 — Coloradans can soon tap into millions of Recovery Act dollars and take steps to save money, boost the economy and save energy as the Governor’s Energy Office and partners prepare to launch a sweeping, statewide rebate program April 19. This initiative is designed to bring energy efficiency and renewable energy to tens of thousands of Coloradans and will provide nearly 75,000 rebates worth approximately $22 million.

Coloradans will be able to connect easily with opportunities to save dollars and do some good for the economy and the environment by visiting the Recharge Colorado website (also launching April 19) to sign up for rebates on a wide array of appliances, services and equipment that will save energy, reduce energy bills and create jobs for Colorado. The website and rebate program will offer Colorado consumers a service unprecedented in scope - providing comprehensive and localized information about rebates, financial incentives, contractors, energy conservation tips and availability of goods and services across the state.

Items eligible for rebates will include:

• Equipment such as dishwashers, clothes washers, refrigerators, as well as furnaces and hot water heaters.
• Residential energy efficiency measures such as insulation and air sealing, duct sealing, whole-house energy audits and whole-house energy monitors.
• Renewable energy projects, including solar photovoltaic systems, solar hot water systems for homes and businesses and small wind installations.

A complete list is included at the end of this announcement. About one-third of the rebates will be provided for ENERGY STAR appliances, furnaces and hot water heaters. The bulk of the funding for the program is provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Local partners across Colorado provided additional dollars.

“Coloradans are unique and our goal was to develop a rebate program and education campaign that would match the ‘do it yourself’ ethic that is a hallmark of this great state,” said GEO director Tom Plant. “We look forward to providing Coloradans this opportunity to save money, save energy and participate in our New Energy Economy. We invite consumers to discover the wealth of energy-saving information available to them through this one-stop clearinghouse at our soon-to-be-launched Recharge Colorado web site. Connecting people to this information will, in turn, mean more jobs and business for the companies that provide these valuable services.”

Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver added that it sells and installs a line of tankless hot water heaters from Rinnai that qualify for the Governor’s Energy Office rebate program, as well as rebate programs from Denver Water and federal tax credits. Also, Ben Franklin can provide a range of plumbing services for other appliances covered the in the new rebate program, and the master plumbing company will assist homeowners with all of the necessary paperwork to be able to claim a rebate, incentive or tax credit. Call Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver at 303-340-3400 or visit its website at www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com for more details.

Critical consumer information

The GEO expects high consumer interest in all rebates. For ENERGY STAR appliance rebates, the GEO along with its local partners expects brisk consumer action. Those appliances account for about 16,000 of the rebates. In light of that, it’s important for consumers to have realistic expectations and to recognize the limits of the program.

Rebates on kitchen appliances range from $50 to $100 while those for hot water heaters and furnaces range from $200 to $500. These rebates will be reserved on-line on a first-come, first-served basis. The GEO rebates will not be retroactive. This means that products purchased and installed before the GEO launches the program will be ineligible for rebates.

Consumers are reminded that no rebates are guaranteed until all documentation is provided to the GEO. Consumers that are interested in energy efficiency appliances should consider the savings that are immediately available to them through retailer, utility or manufacturer incentives. Many retailers may currently offer sales that exceed what will be available in the rebate program.

Rebates for renewable energy measures, such as solar hot water or solar electric systems, will require a home energy audit before applying. Walkthrough audits that have been conducted after Dec. 31 2006 but before program launch can be accepted. After April 19, however, the audit must be performed by a Building Performance Institute (BPI) or Residential Energy Services Network (RESNET) certified auditor. Rebates are available for home energy audits performed after April 19.

Beginning April 19, consumers will be directed to the Recharge Colorado website to apply for and reserve rebates. The rebate check will be issued to the homeowner, for both energy efficiency and renewable energy applications. More detailed information on the rebate application process and rebate criteria will be provided on the GEO website by March 31.

Home appliance rebates

ALL APPLIANCES MUST BE ENERGY STAR RATED.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS EXIST above just Energy Star labeling in some cases

Not all products and services will qualify for a rebate. The GEO strongly encourages consumers to review the rebate materials carefully when considering purchases.

For an appliance that is deemed eligible, the following rebate level will be paid:*

• Clothes washers $75
• Dishwashers $50
• *Refrigerators $100 with proof the previous refrigerator was recycled. Proof consists of a receipt from a recycling facility or a receipt from a retailer engaged in an existing recycling agreement with the GEO. A list of retailers will be available in coming weeks.
• *Refrigerators $50 with no proof of recycling.
• **Furnaces - gas condensing $500
• Hot water heater - gas condensing/high performance $200 (minimum efficiency rating available in coming weeks)
• Hot water heater - gas tankless $300
• Gas boilers - $400

*Refrigerators must be at least 12 cubic feet in size to qualify.

**Furnaces must also be rated at an Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) greater or equal to 92 percent

Residential energy efficiency rebates

• Insulation and air sealing - 20% of cost up to $400 (will not exceed $600 if combined with an existing local utility rebate taken by the consumer)
• Duct sealing - 20% of cost up to $75 (will not exceed $125 if combined with an existing local utility rebate)
• Whole-house energy audit - tiered rebate of $25 to $100 depending on cost of audit
• Whole-house energy monitor - $50 (will not exceed $100 if combined with an existing local utility rebate)

Renewable energy rebates
Note: Rebates are based on system size, calculated per watt. So no hard dollar figure is provided here.

• Solar photovoltaic - 20 to 30%. In some cases, rebates combined with local incentives will result in a 50 % reduction in costs.
• Solar domestic hot water - 30% of the cost
• Solar thermal and/or hot water (commercial only - no pools, spas or snowmelt) - approx. 30 % of the cost of the system
• Small wind (residential) up to 10 kW - approx. 30% of the cost of the system
• Small wind (commercial) - approx. 15 to 20% of the cost of the system

*Xcel and Black Hills Energy customers are excluded due to existing residential photovoltaic rebates offered through those utilities.

Homeowners can enjoy up to a $1,500 tax credit on their 2010 federal taxes plus significant rebates from Xcel Energy and the State of Colorado by upgrading to a qualifying tankless water heater this year

DENVER, Colo. - Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber of Denver is a registered contractor for water heaters that not only cut heating bills, but for a limited time offer significant federal tax credits as well as energy-saving rebates from the State of Colorado and Xcel Energy.

The largest cost savings, tax credits and rebates are available through the installation of a tankless water heater, and Ben Franklin Plumbing owner Steve Jusseaume recommends those manufactured by Rinnai, which qualify for all savings programs and supply an endless source of hot water at a fraction of the cost of traditional tank water heaters.

The Rinnai tankless system is able to service three water outlets simultaneously while maintaining a constant hot water temperature.  Rinnai tankless water heaters supply hot water at the rate of up to 9.8 gallons per minute, while offering 30% more efficiency than a natural-gas fueled tank water heater and 50% more efficiency than an electric water heater. The units are compact and wall-mounted, with many models no bigger than 23 inches tall, no wider than 18.5 inches, and no deeper than 9.8 inches.

The United State federal government has established an energy efficiency program for homeowners which offers up to $1,500 in tax credit on the purchase and installation cost of qualifying water heaters, including the Rinnai models available at Ben Franklin Plumbing. This is a tax credit, not a deduction, which means it can reduce a tax bill up to the full $1,500. Homeowners must purchase and have installed the qualifying water heater by December 31, 2010 to claim the tax credit. Check http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=products.pr_tax_credits for full details.

In addition, Xcel Energy, the largest public energy utility in the state, is offering a rebate of $100 on qualifying tankless water heaters, and from $40 to $80 on qualifying standard natural gas fueled water heaters, purchased and installed through the end of this year.

The State of Colorado, through the Governor’s Energy Office, is in the process of implementing a mail-in rebate program for residents who replace older, inefficient appliances, including water heaters, with ENERGY Star qualified appliances. No details have been announced, however officials said that the program is slated to begin in March 2010 with total funding of $4,739,000; once the money is gone, the program is over.

Each of these programs have their own set of rules and levels of energy efficiency that meet their criteria for tax credit or rebate. Ben Franklin Plumbing’s Jusseaume says his company is well versed in the qualifications and can provide homeowners with all of the necessary documents and forms for customers to claim their benefits.

“Between the tax credit and the rebates, not to mention just the cost savings from using newer, more energy efficient water heaters, homeowners can virtually recoup the entire cost of a new Rinnai tankless water heating system in a relatively short period of time,” says Jusseaume. “Plus, the level of comfort and convenience offered by these tankless water heater solutions add even more value to the decision to go tankless.”

Tankless water heaters installed by Ben Franklin Plumbing of Denver save on precious fuel costs because they don’t continuously heat water all day long when it’s not being used, like traditional water heaters which heat the water in them while you’re at work and even while you’re sleeping. Using the Rinnai tankless water heater, you only pay to heat water when you need it, and for as long as you want it.

Another benefit of a Rinnai tankless water heater is that it shuts off automatically when the water supply is closed, and they have a life expectancy of 20 years versus the 10 years a traditional water heater is expected to perform.

Conserving energy and water are among the many services Ben Franklin Plumbing Denver performs in households in Arvada, Aurora, Brighton, Broomfield Castle Rock, Centennial, Cherry Hills Village, Commerce City, Denver, Englewood, Glendale, Golden, Greenwood Village, Highlands Ranch, Lakewood, Littleton, Lone Tree, Morrison, Northglenn, Parker, Sedalia, Thornton, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge.

“Being informed is always optimum,” says Steve Jusseaume. “Being proactive is even better.”

Benjamin Franklin - The Punctual Plumber serves the Greater Denver area, providing every plumbing need, from the smallest leak and repair, to emergencies, remodels, upgrades and new plumbing solutions. Founded more than 30 years ago as Deer Creek Plumbing Inc., the family owned plumbing business in the 2005 joined the #1 residential plumbing service company in North America, becoming a Benjamin Franklin franchisee.

“What sets us apart from the competition is our ‘one of a kind’ warranties and guarantees,” says Jusseaume. “Like our Punctual Promise: ‘If there’s any delay, it’s you we pay,’ which means that if we are late for your appointment we pay you $5 per minute up to $300. Plus we have a 100% Customer Satisfaction Guarantee: If you’re not happy with our service, you don’t pay us. It’s that simple.”

For more information on tankless water heaters, as well as the federal tax credit and rebate programs, call Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Denver at 303-340-3400 or visit www.benfranklinplumbingdenver.com.