Should You Replace Your Hot Water Heater with A Tankless Hot Water Heater
While water heaters are relatively costly, they are an essential investment that almost every home has. Luckily, with advanced technology comes better equipment that can be used in place of water heaters. If there is any chance of updating the heating system that saves you on costs, is more efficient, and has better longevity, you should take it. To ease your selection and help you make a well-informed decision, we have prepared a detailed comparison of water heaters and tankless water heaters.
Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater, also characterized as a demand water heater, employs high-powered burners to speedily generate heat as it passes via a heating element and then send it to the taps or showerhead without the need for a tank. Tankless water heaters are often fueled by electricity or gas, allowing them to heat water instantly. In recent studies, these sorts of heating systems were found to be 20 percent more energy-intensive in general than heating storage tank models.
Consult with a Pluming Professional to better understand the cost of installation and savings potential
Storage water heaters are installed in almost every home as they were traditionally used to heat the water before the invention of tankless heaters. They consist of an insulated tank that holds the heated water until when required for use. A pipe is connected from the storage tank to different destinations, including the bathroom, kitchen, sinks, and other areas where hot water may be needed. Most storage water heaters employ natural gas or electricity as fuel and have temperature gauges that help regulate the heat. Additionally, they have pressure release valves that keep everything under control. Technically, water heaters are more complicated and require more work compared to tankless water heaters.
Energy Efficiency
If you use a lot of hot water in a single day, the tankless hot water system might work for you best as it conserves energy better than the regular water heating systems. Although buying a tankless water heater costs more than the traditional version, the end results will be worth it all. Moreover, tankless heaters last longer and would not require replacements after a few years of use. Most people have reported saving energy up to 50% of their initial use.
Unlike traditional water heating systems, tankless heaters use direct electricity to heat the water. This means no heat is lost during storage, and you only get to use what you need. An energy-efficient water heating system will help you save on costs.
Space Conservation
As you might have already guessed, a storage tank consumes a lot of space, making it hard to fix them in small spaces. With a tankless heating system, you do not need to worry about spacing because there will be no tank in the first place. This is an essential factor because homeowners today seek to use as little space as possible to allow room for other projects. Considering their compact size, tankless water heaters can be situated even on outside walls if there is a considerable space issue in your home.
Saves Time
Unlike storage water heating systems that require more than twenty minutes to heat the water, a tankless heating system heats almost instantly as they work on a few gallons of water every minute. Since storage water heaters carry a lot of water, they often take too long to heat, making them time-consuming. With a tankless heating system, you will get hot water every time you need it and without any delays.
Additionally, no one will run out of hot water while in the shower because every gallon of water is heating instantly. In the past, the last family member to shower was always guaranteed to use cold water. Tankless water heaters will save you from such agony, ensuring every family member has enough hot water.