If you’re in the market for a new water heater, skipping the tank and opting for a tankless water heater this time around might save you money on energy. Learn more about the differences between tankless and regular water heaters to see whether this is the correct update for your house.
The Cost Of Heating Household Water
Heating house water can be costly. In the past, water heaters were uninsulated and water was constantly being heated, even when no one was using it. This wasted a lot of energy and money. Today’s water heaters are much more efficient, but they still cost money to operate. The average water heater will use about 20% of a household’s total energy usage, making it the second-largest contribution to your utility bills behind your heating and cooling system.
Do you want to save money on your power bills? Installing a tankless water heater can help.
What Is A Tankless Water Heater And How Does It Work?
Tankless water heaters use electric heating elements to keep water hot. The most popular fuel for these are natural gas and propane, but there is also the option of oil or electricity. With no tanks, this technology saves space in your home and reduces traditional plumbing costs that come with constantly refilling reservoirs.
On-demand water heaters, also known as tankless water heaters, provide hot water only when it is required. A typical storage tank, on the other hand, maintains 60 to 100 gallons of hot water on standby at all times.
When you open a hot water tap with tankless technology, a strong gas-fired burner or electric unit fires up. It warms the water as it travels toward the faucet, allowing you to have hot water anytime you want it without having to have a steady supply on hand.
Tankless Water Heater Advantages
You may be wondering what all the fuss is about if you’ve never lived in a home with a tankless water heater. The following are the key advantages of tankless water heaters that make them a popular option among today’s homeowners:
- Lowering your energy costs
- Never-ending supply of hot water
- Longer life expectancy
- Installation with a smaller footprint
- Flooding danger is reduced.
What Is The Most Appropriate Water Heater For My Residence?
If any of the following things are true, a tankless water heater might be a great choice:
- My household does not consume a lot of hot water. The less water you use, the more money you’ll save with a tankless system. When compared to traditional water heating, homes that use less than 40 gallons of hot water each day save between 24 and 34 percent. Even if you consume more than twice as much, you may save anywhere from 8% to 14% on your water heating expenditures.
- I prefer Never-ending supply of hot water over a high flow rate. Tankless water heaters are limited to about two to five gallons of hot water per minute. Traditional water heaters may deliver a flow rate two to three times higher, facilitating multiple hot water activities at once. To combat this shortcoming of tankless technology, consider installing low-flow plumbing fixtures or multiple point-of-use tankless units instead of a single whole-house unit.
- I have no intention of relocating anytime soon. Tankless water heaters are more expensive up front than standard tanks, but they save money in the long run by using less energy and last twice as long. As a consequence, you’ll probably break even on your investment years before it has to be replaced. Of course, the only way to take advantage of this is to remain in your existing residence for an extended period of time.
- My home is short on storage space. Storage water heaters are around 60 inches tall and 24 inches in diameter, taking up precious storage space. Tankless units measure about 20 inches wide by 28 inches tall by 10 inches deep, or about the size of carry-on luggage. Plus, the unit mounts to the wall, getting it up off the floor. If you own a small condo or townhouse, this size difference could be an added perk to the tankless water heater advantages.
Make An Appointment For A Tankless Water Heater Consultation
A plumbing professional can assist you in determining if tankless water heater installation is best for you. They will take into account everything, including your family’s size and hot water demand, installation limits, and the tankless payback time.
There are “complaints about tankless water heaters” when common problems show up. The benefits of tankless water heaters are many, but some complaints exist. However, the upsides usually outweight the downsides of owning a tankless water heater.
A tankless water heater may not be the cause of your plumbing issues. This could be due to a broken main water line. For more, see Five Signs Your Home Needs a Main Water Line Repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the downside of a tankless water heater?
A: A tankless water heater does not need a storage container to hold hot water. This means that this type of unit must be installed properly in order for it to work correctly, otherwise the pressure and temperature will drop too low.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a tankless water heater?
A: The advantages to a tankless water heater are that you don’t have the inconvenience of having to change out your tanks for refilling. This can save both time and money during renovation projects. However, it does not provide as much hot water as traditional models because you only fill up when needed and waste some in the process.
Is it worth getting a tankless water heater?
A: That is up to you. A tankless water heater will not save as much money on your utility bills, but it does offer a more eco-friendly way of heating the water, and if that is something that would appeal to you then this may be worth consideration.
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