What you need to know about your Tankless Water Heater system
Whether you are looking for a water heating system for your new home or your current system has seen better days and needs a replacement, one of the first things you need to do is to look at all of your available options and weigh their pros and cons. This will allow you to make an informed purchasing decision. When you are shopping for a water heating system, one system that should be on your radar is a tankless water heater system.
Also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, tankless heaters provide hot water when you need it. Unlike other water heaters, this type of water heater does not lose energy while in standby mode, allowing you to save more money over the long-term. If you are eyeing a tankless water heater replacement, here is how the system works.
How tankless heaters work
Tankless heaters eliminate the need for storage tanks. Instead, the water is heated when it passes through the system, which may be fuelled by gas or electricity. This means that you can get a constant stream of hot water when you need it. You do not have to wait for a tank to be filled enough. These heaters are versatile enough to be used for a variety of purposes including bathrooms and hot tubs, for appliances like dishwashers and washing machines, and as a booster for solar water heaters.
Pros and cons of Tankless Water heaters
One of the major selling points of these heaters is the amount of energy and money that you can save. If your household’s hot water consumption is 41 gallons and below, you can save as much as 34 percent in energy usage. You can find this out by looking at your water bill. If your household’s consumption of hot water is greater than 41 gallons, you can expect energy use reduction of as much as 14 percent. If you choose to install one tankless water heater for each water outlet, you can even save as much as 50 percent on energy cost.
Despite these advantages, tankless heaters have a few disadvantages. The cost of a tankless water heater is considerably higher than a standard tank water heater. However, you can recoup your initial investment through energy efficiency and the longevity of this type of system. Typically, this system can last more than 20 years with proper care and maintenance.
Both types of this heater, gas and electric-powered, have lower water flow rates. This means that you may not have ample hot water if you take a shower while another person in your home needs to use hot water for dish or clothes washing. It is possible to overcome this hurdle by having another tankless heater installed. If you are choosing a gas-fired system, you need to be aware that the pilot lights used in these can offset the benefit of energy conservation. You may want to choose models that have pilot lights that can be turned off or those with intermittent ignition devices.
When you are ready for an evaluation of your current water heater and would like a free estimate be sure to call your local plumber. Your Fox Valley Plumber will be able to properly measure and evaluate your current water heating system and provide you with an estimate from professional installation for a new one.