If you’re trying to make your home more eco friendly, you might be surprised to learn that your nearby plumber can be one of your best allies. That’s because a major part of your home’s energy usage is due to the heating and cooling systems. Standard water heaters can waste a lot of energy keeping up to 40 gallons of water heated all the time. Tankless heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, are much more energy-efficient.
How do tankless water heaters work?
Older, conventional water heaters typically store a large amount of hot water. This means that they waste a lot of energy keeping the hot water on standby. Tankless water heaters have a very different design, and only heat the water when it is needed. As soon as the hot water tap is turned on, the cold water flows through the unit. There it is heated by a gas burner or electric heating element. The typical flow rate of hot water for tankless heaters is 2 to 5 gallons per minute.
Advantages of tankless water heaters
Tankless water heaters can save up to one-fourth or one-third of your water heating bill. They are also long-lasting, and have a life of about 20 years, as compared to conventional water heaters which need to be replaced after about 10 to 12 years. If repairs are needed, they can be done by your neighborhood plumbing service. Spare parts are easily available and are not expensive.
Should you install a tankless water heater?
If you’re looking for a water heater replacement, it may be a good idea to consider installing a tankless water heater instead of a conventional water heater. There are some factors to consider when choosing the right kind and number of tankless water heaters for your home. You have to keep in mind that they are better suited for smaller homes.
Depending on the size of your household and its needs, you may not be able to get enough hot water for multiple uses. For example, a tankless water heater may only be able to provide sufficient water for two purposes, such as showering or running the dishwasher, at a time. However, you can work around this limitation by installing more than one tankless water heater at different locations, so that there is enough hot water for multiple uses at the same time. Water heaters can also be connected in parallel to provide more hot water for larger homes.
Choosing the right water heater
When choosing the right tankless water heater for your home, there are some things to keep in mind. The size, fuel type, cost and energy efficiency are all factors that will influence your decision. If this feels too confusing and overwhelming, you can get good advice on choosing the right water heater from your nearby plumber.
Installation of tankless water heaters should also be done by a professional plumber. Once your tankless water heater is up and running, proper maintenance will ensure that it functions with maximum energy efficiency.
Choosing a tankless water heater for your home can help to reduce energy consumption and make your home more ecofriendly. Your nearby plumber is a good source of information about these heaters, and will also be able to install one for your home.
