The stretch between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of the busiest times of the year for your home’s plumbing system—especially your water heater. From extra cooking and cleaning to back-to-back showers for visiting family, the demand on your water heater skyrockets during the holidays. If you’ve noticed slower hot-water recovery, inconsistent temperatures, or unusual noises afterward, your water heater is likely asking for help. This is especially true for units that are 10–15 years old or more. A bit of post-holiday maintenance can go a long way toward extending the life of your tank or tankless water heating system, and preventing mid-winter breakdowns.
Post-Holiday Season Water Heater Maintenance: Giving Older Systems the Care They Need
December 15th, 2025What’s New in the World of HVAC for 2026?
December 1st, 2025The HVAC world is in the middle of its biggest shake-up in decades, and 2026 is a pivotal year. From refrigerant changes to shifting tax credits and huge gains in cold-climate performance, homeowners and contractors alike will see a very different landscape after the new year. Here’s what’s changing and why it matters.
Combat Dry Fall Air With a Whole-Home Humidifier
November 17th, 2025When winter rolls in, most homeowners in Valencia focus on keeping their homes warm and cozy. But there’s another key ingredient to comfort that often goes overlooked—humidity. Cold air naturally holds less moisture, and as furnaces run around the clock, indoor air can become extremely dry. This doesn’t just lead to static shocks and dry skin; it can also make your home feel colder and less efficient to heat. The good news is that a humidifier can make a big difference, improving both comfort and heating efficiency.
What NOT to Put Down Your Drain This Holiday Season
November 3rd, 2025The holiday season brings joy, laughter, and—if you’re hosting Thanksgiving—an overload of cooking, cleaning, and extra guests using your home’s plumbing. While it’s the most wonderful time of the year, it can also be the most stressful for your drains. Plumbing emergencies skyrocket during Thanksgiving weekend, often because well-meaning homeowners (or their guests) don’t realize what shouldn’t go down the sink or toilet. With a little extra care, you can keep your home clog-free and stress-free.
Why Fall Is the Perfect Time to Upgrade Your Water Heater, and Why It Pays to Hire a Professional
October 20th, 2025As summer fades and cooler weather settles in, many homeowners turn their attention indoors — tackling maintenance tasks to prepare for the colder months ahead. One upgrade that often goes overlooked until it’s too late is the water heater.
Fall is actually one of the best times of year to replace or upgrade your unit, and doing so with the help of a licensed professional can save you from headaches, safety risks, and unexpected costs later on.
How a UV Air Purifier Can Be a Huge Help This Fall
October 6th, 2025As cooler weather arrives, most families spend more time indoors with the windows shut tight. While this helps keep the cold air out, it also means your home’s air has less circulation and can trap unwanted pollutants. From seasonal allergies to winter viruses, indoor air quality often declines in the colder months. One effective way to combat this problem is with a UV air purifier, which uses ultraviolet light to neutralize airborne contaminants and create a healthier living environment.
Preparing for Fall: A Step By Step Furnace Guide
September 15th, 2025As the weather cools and the crisp autumn air sets in, it’s time to start thinking about your home’s heating system. Preparing your furnace before the cold really kicks in ensures comfort, efficiency, and safety throughout the season. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help homeowners get their furnaces ready for fall, including annual heating maintenance in Gibsonia.
Why a Backup Generator Is Your Home’s Best Defense
September 1st, 2025Power outages can disrupt your life, especially in Pennsylvania where storms can strike any season. At Kennihan Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, with 50 years of whole home service, we know a backup generator is your home’s best defense against power loss.
Whole home generators ensure comfort, safety, and security, and our team offers expert installation, maintenance, and 24-hour emergency service. Here’s why a generator is essential and how Kennihan can help.
A Consistent Advantage: Why More Homeowners Are Choosing Geothermal HVAC Systems
August 18th, 2025
Homeowners today are looking for ways to improve comfort, reduce energy costs, and minimize their environmental footprint. One solution that’s gaining attention is the geothermal HVAC system in Gibsonia, PA. Unlike conventional heating and cooling systems that rely on fossil fuels or outside air, geothermal systems tap into the stable temperatures beneath the earth’s surface to provide year-round comfort.
Tankless Isn’t Timeless: Why Maintenance Still Matters
August 4th, 2025
Tankless water heaters, often referred to as on-demand water heaters, have gained popularity due to their energy efficiency, space-saving design, and virtually limitless hot water supply. These systems bring water into the unit only when there is demand, instantly heating cold water as it flows through the heat exchanger. As cold water enters the system, it is rapidly heated on demand, allowing the unit to produce hot water continuously for as long as needed. This means you can enjoy continuous use, such as taking a shower, without running out of hot water. Typically, these systems can provide hot water at a rate of 2–5 gallons per minute, depending on the model and water temperature.
There are different types of tankless water heaters, including electric, gas, condensing, and non condensing models. Electric tankless water heaters are typically used for point-of-use applications due to their lower flow rates, while condensing models offer higher efficiency compared to non condensing units by utilizing advanced technology to recover more heat. Gas-fired tankless water heaters, on the other hand, produce higher flow rates than electric ones, making them a better choice for households with higher hot water demands. When selecting a unit, consider the flow rate (measured in gallons per minute) to ensure it can supply enough hot water for multiple fixtures, like a shower, running at the same time.
Energy efficiency is a key benefit, and ENERGY STAR certified models help identify the most efficient options. The choice of fuel—gas, propane, or electric—impacts both efficiency and installation requirements. Proper installation is crucial: gas models require safe and code-compliant gas lines, and all units should be installed on a suitable wall (interior or exterior) by a licensed professional to ensure safety. Local climate also affects which system is best for your home, as it can influence performance and installation needs. For instance, gas tankless water heaters are generally preferred in colder climates due to their efficiency and superior heating performance.
To improve hot water delivery and reduce cold water waste in pipes, some systems include a recirculation pump. Regular maintenance is essential to prevent mineral buildup, especially in hard water areas, which helps maintain efficiency and prolongs the life of the unit. Most manufacturers recommend yearly descaling for tankless water heaters unless the water is very soft. While tankless water heaters generally last longer than traditional tanks, they will eventually need to be replaced, though replacement is less frequent. Upgrading and replacing an old water heater with a tankless model can improve efficiency and save space, but always prioritize safety by using a professional for installation and maintenance.
Let’s dispel that myth and explore why regular maintenance is essential to keeping your tankless water heater in Gibsonia running efficiently and reliably.