Should You Invest in a Tankless Water Heater?
Traditional water heaters come with certain limitations. They use a lot of energy to keep water hot even when nobody is using it. They also have a limited supply of warm water, which can lead to lukewarm showers in homes with lots of people. Instead of the traditional tank-style water heater, you can also invest in a tankless water heater for your home. We’re going to discuss what these are and how they can benefit your household.
What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater is used to create hot water for your home. These are small rectangular units that get installed right on your wall. These water heaters don’t store hot water. Rather, they produce it when your home demands it.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
When you turn on your hot water at your faucet or one of your many appliances needs hot water, your water heater will turn on. Cold water is introduced into the heat exchanger, which is positioned inside the tankless water heater. The water will be heated via a gas burner or electric heating element, depending on what fuel source you choose to use for your device. A constant supply of hot water will be delivered to the various faucets and appliances throughout your home.
Tankless Water Heater Sizing
Most homeowners are familiar with tank water heaters having a designated gallon capacity. For example, a house with three to four people will typically need a 50- to 60-gallon water heater. When it comes to tankless water heaters, they’re measured in gallons per minute. There are tankless water heaters ranging from 2 to 12 gallons per minute. Most homes need about 5 to 10 gallons per minute.
When determining the ideal size of tankless water heater for your home, consider the number of plumbing fixtures and appliances you have that may use hot water. A quick way to get a ballpark for the gallons per minute your new tankless water heater needs is to add up the flow rate for all of your fixtures and water-using appliances. This number will ensure that you can comfortably run multiple fixtures at once without compromising the temperature of your hot water. A plumbing professional can do these calculations for you and recommend an appropriate size.
Maintenance Requirements
Both tankless and tank water heaters require regular maintenance to stay in tip-top condition. In general, you’ll want to have your tankless water heater evaluated by a licensed plumber every year. This will help remove sediment buildup and ensure each internal component is functioning optimally. If you live in a region with hard water, you may need to have this service done every six months.
Energy-Efficient Operation
One of the most significant benefits of tankless water heaters is they offer energy-efficient operation. A traditional tank water heater is constantly burning energy to keep the water in its storage tank nice and hot. With a tankless water heater, you don’t have to waste any of this energy. Rather, when you actually need hot water, your unit will burn fuel or use electricity to heat your water. When you turn your hot water off, it won’t use any energy. High energy efficient operation translates to more energy savings for homeowners.
Lifespan
Tankless water heaters can last 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters often last between 8 and 12 years. This is because there is no standing water where sediment can settle or a holding tank can corrode and leak. Furthermore, tankless water heaters have more easily replaceable components than traditional tank water heaters. This gives them the ability to last even longer before they need to be replaced.
Space Saving Design
One of the biggest differences between a tankless and a tank water heater is their size. A tank water heater has a large cylindrical tank that takes up quite a bit of space. On the other hand, a tankless water heater is a fairly small rectangular device. These devices can be easily mounted on a wall to help minimize their impact on your overall living space
Reliable Tankless Water Heater Service
Mullen Plumbing, Heating and Cooling offers reliable tankless water heater services to South Charleston, WV and the surrounding towns. Our experts can assist you with all your heating, cooling, indoor air quality, ductwork, and plumbing needs. Call us today to get the professional assistance that you need.
