Did you ever stop to think about how your water heater works?
Basically it’s just a big round tank that sits in your garage or laundry room that heats up the water inside – as much as 140 gallons or more – to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. When you turn on hot water at a faucet or in a shower, that’s the water that is sent through the pipes.
Without the heating element, this is the same thing pioneers did when they stored rainwater in a barrel for future use. And think about how much gas or electric is required to keep that water hot 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Isn’t there a better option?
Time to Consider a Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters work in a different way. As the name indicates, there is no tank; instead, water is funneled through a heat exchanger.
With an electric tankless water heater, electrically heated coils change the water’s temperature before it comes out of the faucet. With a gas tankless water heater, that task is accomplished through gas burners. Either way, it deliver hot water without keeping hundreds of gallons heated all day and all night. On average, that can cut energy usage by 30-40{9cdc1388e89525a5943a16e5df98a2091a77e8333000024d218808ea2fb4c363}, saving $100 or more every year off the utility bill.
Tankless water heaters offer other benefits as well:
- They last longer – up to 20 years
- Easy part replacement extends usage
- They don’t need as much space as tank-style heaters
The Two Challenges: Cost and Connection
If tankless water heaters are this great, why are more consumers not making the switch? There are two reasons – the cost is higher, and the work required to connect a tankless system to an existing home’s plumbing and electrical systems.
On average you’ll pay $100 to $200 more for a tankless hot water heater than a standard model. There is also retrofitting to your existing home that may be necessary for installation. This needs to be done by a professional. We can help with that, and provide you with an upfront quote for the entire process. We’ve found that most of our customers are delighted after the transition wit the never-ending, instant hot water that a tankless water heater provides – and their investment is recouped in energy savings.
Choosing the Right Tankless Water Heater
Just as traditional tanks come in different capacities, if you’re considering making the switch to a tankless system you’ll first have to select a model that can handle your household’s needs. This is measured not in capacity but in gallons-per-minute flow rate. A professional plumber can tell you what flow rate will be adequate for your home.
Still have questions? Our plumbers can offer a comprehensive quote, and free advice on your options, and whether switching to a tankless water heater is right for you. Call us or contact us for more information.
