Tankless water heaters are one of the newest advancements in appliances to create an energy efficient home. Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless water heaters heat water on demand using high-powered gas burners or electric coils. In contrast, traditional water heaters maintain a tank of hot water, constantly heating and reheating the water. By only heating water on demand, tankless water heaters increase the energy efficiency of your home, although those aren’t their only benefits. To better understand the benefits of tankless water heaters, our knowledgeable team at Bewley Plumbing has put together this guide:
Understanding the Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
When discussing tankless water heaters, the main benefit that people mention is their energy efficiency. While that is absolutely an important factor to consider, tankless water heaters have much more to offer, too. Here are just a few examples of their best qualities:
Superb Energy Efficiency
Tankless water heaters conserve energy by only powering on and heating the water when the hot water is demanded. For homes that use on average 41 gallons of hot water a day, tankless water heaters can save about 24-34% on energy costs. Tankless water heaters also do not run into the issue of heat loss like traditional water heaters do. Heated water will eventually cool down while stored, so traditional water heaters pull more energy as they have to continuously heat the water to ensure it is ready when needed.
Incredible Durability
The average lifespan of an electric tankless water heater is around 20-25 years. In contrast, the lifespan of a traditional water heater with annual maintenance is 8 to 12 years. That means that on average, you’d need 2 or 3 traditional water heaters to match the life span of just one tankless water heater. It is important to note that the level of sediment build-up in your tank can greatly affect the lifespan of your water heater, which is why regular maintenance is strongly recommended.
Favorable Initial Cost and Return on Investment
While the initial cost of a tankless water heater is higher than a traditional water heater, the longer lifespan and month-to-month savings make it worth it. Another benefit of tankless water heaters when it comes to cost is the special financing and tax break options. Due to the better energy efficiency of a tankless water heater, these units are eligible for federal tax breaks, further offsetting the cost of installation.
Hassle-Free Installation
Unlike a traditional water heater, tankless water heaters don’t take as much space. This means that tankless water heaters can be installed virtually anywhere where there is electricity. They also do not create excessive heat in your house or yard, meaning that they are the perfect solution for smaller homes. This is especially true because for an electrical tankless water heater, there is no need for extra space or special plumbing fixtures to be installed. All it needs is a grounded electrical outlet.
Lower Maintenance
The only thing that needs to be checked is the filter which needs to be cleaned once every six months and yearly flushings. The lower maintenance requirements can save you time, money, effort, and peace of mind, making tankless water heaters a uniquely worthwhile investment.
Ready to Make the Switch to a Tankless Water Heater?
After reading up on all the benefits of a tankless water heater, you might be thinking about making the switch. However, you might be unsure of exactly how to proceed next. For instance, what do you do with your current water heating system? How do you hook up the tankless water heater? Alternatively, you might prefer to have a professional opinion on your specific situation before making any decisions. Whatever the case, our experienced team at Bewley Plumbing is here to help. We’ll work with you to ensure that all your plumbing needs are met with minimal worry. To schedule a consultation or appointment, contact us today!