If a person were to walk through a home built 50 years ago and then walk through one built today, they would no doubt find several differences. The differences go far beyond the design of the home or the materials used in its construction. Homes built today feature a variety of technologies not commonly in use 50 years ago. While some technologies like smart home controls are more recent, others have been around for decades and are now reaching a point of efficiency that has made them a more popular option in people's homes. One such advancement is the tankless water heater.
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What is it?
Tankless water heaters are water heaters that instantly heat water on demand by pulling cold water into the unit and running it through a heat exchanger and then sends it out into the home as hot water. These units are small and tankless, and use copper in the heat exchangers because of its ability to conduct heat efficiently. Their small size allows for localized Tankless Water Heater Installation Services to be performed throughout a home for more localized point of use unlike the more common, centralized, tank style water heaters. For homeowners who would prefer their water heater in one central location, there are larger size whole home tankless systems available. Tankless water heaters are versatile and can be powered with gas, propane, or electric. This flexibility makes transitioning to tankless easy.
Benefits
There are several benefits to having a new tankless water heater installation:
- Energy Savings - Tankless water heaters heat water on demand instead of working to keep 50 plus gallons of water hot continuously. Heating water only when it is needed saves homeowners money in annual energy costs.
- Water Savings - The location of a home's water heater affects how fast the hot water gets from a traditional water heater tank to the point of use. It is common to run the water until it gets hot. With a tankless system, the water comes out of the faucet hot immediately, which saves water.
- Less Space - Traditional water heaters take up a lot of floor space. This may not matter in a larger home with space for a dedicated utility room, but in most homes water heaters can take up valuable floor space in shared used areas like laundry rooms. Tankless water heaters are much smaller and can be mounted on the wall, leaving the floor open for other use.
- Water Damage - Regardless of the water heater used, inevitably, they will break down. When traditional water heaters break, there is a risk that several gallons of water will flow out causing water damage. Because there is no water stored in a tankless heater beyond the small amount present in the heat exchange pipes, there is little risk of severe water damage.
- Longevity - When maintained with annual preventative maintenance tankless water heaters can last 20 years, almost double a conventional water heater.
Concerns
Before a homeowner schedules Plumbing and HVAC Services in Derry, NH to install a new tankless water heater, it is important to be aware of a couple of key points. First, the initial startup cost of installing a tankless system can be more than a traditional water heater, especially if the work needed to retrofit an older water system. Second, in the event of a power failure, tankless water heaters cannot provide hot water if they are set up as an electrical system. This differs from a traditional water heater where you could use up the remaining water already heated in the tank. Third, because water is heated on demand, there may be a slight delay in access to hot water. Last, depending on a home's water usage, you may encounter issues with the water flow rate. People who have high flow showerheads for example may run into issues with having consistent hot water because the tankless unit may not be able to fully heat the water as fast as it is being used.
For homeowners looking to increase their property value and save money on their energy cost the installation of a tankless water heater is an excellent investment. Knowing the benefits and downsides will help homeowners to make the determination if upgrading to a tankless water heater is right for their home.
Paul the Plumber is a Plumbing and HVAC company in the Derry, New Hampshire area specializing in residential service. They offer flat rate upfront pricing and a membership program that includes annual maintenance service.