If you are considering upgrading your water heater, the concept of never running out of hot water again likely sounds welcoming. This is particularly true when the unlimited hot water comes from a tankless system that will not have a catastrophic leak or use limitless energy when it isn’t even in use. If you are not familiar with tankless water heaters as a plumbing alternative, you will want to learn more and see why you need one!
What is a Tankless Hot Water Heater?
A tankless hot water heater replaces the old water tank by using a gas or electric powered component that heats water on the spot! Due to the fact that the water is heated in this manner, it can produce hot water consistently while not being a power drain when not in use. This newer style of hot water heater will save you as much as 25 to 50 percent in energy usage.
Pros & Cons
The obvious benefit is the promise of unlimited hot water coupled with great energy financial savings. They are also fairly small, about the size of an average suitcase. They present no danger of spilling or bursting like old tanks and they won’t support bacterial growth, making them much safer. They are even much easier to winterize or make ready for vacation.
The biggest drawback is that they are extremely sensitive to a weak water circulation and can turn off when it is not strong enough.
While a tankless hot water heater will offer you savings that help it pay for itself, it does take a while. A big part of the savings is in the longer lifespan of the system compared to a water heating tank system.
How Much Does it Cost
On the low end, a tankless hot water heater can cost as low as a few hundred dollars. For a complex system that can support several streams all at once, the cost can be as much as $2,000. The size system that you require will depend upon the size of your home and your particular needs.
Tankless Hot Water Heater Installation
You will need an expert to install a tankless hot water heater in your house. It may involve creating leak-free connections or upgrading a circuit-breaker panel. If you are ready to install a tankless hot water heater in your house, contact Murray Electric & Plumbing to arrange an appointment now!
Tankless Hot Water Heater Care
If you have hard water, your system will need to have a vinegar flush around every 500 hours of use. This can be a Do It Yourself project, but if you do not feel comfortable with it or don’t have the time you can always call a service specialist for service. Otherwise an annual service is typically all that is required to clean, change filters and check the burner. Typically a gas powered tankless water heater will last about twenty years, while it’s electrical counterpart can be expected to last half that long.
Cutting Edge Innovation
Not only do tankless hot water heaters surpass the effectiveness and performance of the old tank model by light years, the newer systems have even more innovations and advantages to offer!
A tankless hot water heater by its nature is more efficient than a tank system, however tankless models can be almost 20% more efficient than the first tankless ones because of a second heat exchanger which uses the exhaust heat. Adjustments need to be made to add one to a system that was not initially equipped with one.
The newest models provide you instant hot water that takes only the amount of time that the water travels through the pipelines to satisfy its destination.
They can even be smart devices that can be managed by an app on your phone!
If you have questions about a tankless water heater or you are ready to have one installed, contact Murray Electric & Plumbing right away!