Introduction to Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are also known as demand-type water heaters and this name is obtained from their capacity to provide hot water only the instant it is needed. They are not standby energy expanders like the traditional storage tank heaters.
How Tankless Water Heaters Work
Tankless water heater doesn’t have hot water stored anywhere. When you turn on the hot water tap, it is cold water that goes through the pipes but becomes heated as they pass through an electrical or gas-powered heating chamber. It is from here that the water comes out of the tap, hot - instant and fast.
This on-demand water heater has its advantages and disadvantages and several factors you must consider before purchasing one.
Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
· Tankless water heaters are quite more expensive than the conventional heaters – their purchase and installation cost are more initially but in the long run, it turns out to be cost effective and energy saving.
· You need to consider the heating type and possible availability before installing a tankless water heater.
· You also need to consider the size needed for the property and household demands.
There is a lot involved in the purchase and installation of a tankless water heater, that is why it is important to have a qualified HVAC or plumbing professional to educate and suggest options.
Tankless Water Heater Advantages
A traditional water heater can be cumbersome due to its old framework, and when not fixed properly, can cost you the comfort and safety of your home. Besides that, your tank water heater maintenance fees might run into hundreds or even thousands of dollars annually. The new technology is preferred because it tends to fix every not-so-good characteristic of the traditional tank water heaters.
You're probably asking yourself “what is an advantage of a tankless water heater?” In case you didn’t know, one of the most obvious advantages of a tankless water heater is that they are more performance efficient and cost-effective in the long run. You save more energy and lower utility bills, as well as, get more use and constant warm water when you upgrade to a tankless water heater.
Learn the benefits of a tankless water heater when you upgrade.
- Energy Efficiency:
The old version tank water heater is known to constantly expend energy in heating water, whether it is needed or not. However, with the upgrade to a tankless water heater, you can expect to have heated water only when you need it and at the required temperature. This, according to experts, will help in reducing energy expenditure by a whopping 35% or more when compared to the tank water heaters.
- Less Utility Bill Payments:
Another tankless water heater advantage is that you will save more money on utility bills since the heater would need less energy to perform more efficiently.
In a year, your utility bills can run into several hundred or even thousands. However, one benefit of tankless water heater is that you will save a few hundred bucks and that money can be invested into something much more profitable.
- Longer Lasting Water Heater:
Another benefit of a tankless water heater is that you get more lifespan out of them. Well, it is known that your tankless water heater would survive an additional 10 years more than the tank heater on average and that if you use it properly, the former can serve you for up to 20 years or more.
- Hot Water Anytime, Any Day:
If you are a heavy user of hot water, a tankless water heater has you covered. A traditional heater with a tank may disappoint you at any point because the stored water might run out. However, a tankless water heater benefits your home by only heating the water whenever you want to and for as much time as you want. So you have steady hot water, anytime, any day, and for as long as you need it. No more running out of hot water ever!
- Efficient Space Management:
Another one of the benefits of a tankless water heater is the amount of space that can be made available in the home. The traditional ones are as large as 60 gallons and can stand as tall as 60 inches and 24 inches in width. That is a huge amount of space especially if your home is not very large. On the other hand, a tankless water heater is only about 28 x 20 inches in size which allows you crucial space for other home furniture or essentials.
- Low Maintenance Costs:
Traditional water tanks are supposed to be serviced annually. In some areas where the water is hard, it is serviced every six months and total costs would run into several hundred bucks. However, a tankless water heater would only need to be serviced once in five years. You may only need annual cleaning if you stay in an area where the water is hard and that is quite easy to do – flush the water supply unit for an hour with vinegar solution to dissolve any chemical precipitation in the passageways.
Professional Consultation
Some people are often skeptical and want to know what are the advantages of a tankless water heater before they can invest in it. As the article outlines the benefits of tankless water heaters, you can see why so many homeowners upgrade.
