Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
A home’s water heater is never more appreciated than when the water in the house goes cold. Traditional water heaters consist of a big holding tank with a heating element inside, which heats the water continuously to keep it warm. When the hot water is turned on, the plumbing system delivers water from the tank to the faucet. The amount of available hot water is limited by the size of the tank, which is why the hot water can run out and need time before more is available. This issue, however, can be solved with a tankless water heater. Homeowners should consider the numerous benefits of a tankless water heater to know if it suits their home.
Never run out of hot water
Today, many manufacturers offer tankless water heaters, which heat water directly instead of using a storage tank. When the tap is turned on, the water flows through the heating element in the tank and comes out hot on the other end. Tankless water heaters are also more energy-efficient and eco-friendly than their traditional counterparts, and it’s easy to retrofit an old HVAC system to accommodate one.
Energy efficient
Water heaters account for around 19% of home energy use, more than appliances and lighting combined. Switching to a tankless water heater reduces monthly energy costs, especially for those with an Energy Star certification, which uses 30% less energy on average. Though they’re more expensive upfront than traditional models, tankless water heaters have lower annual operating costs and last around 20 years longer.
Eco-friendly
Replacing old HVAC equipment with more energy-efficient models also benefits the environment. Traditional water heaters heat water continuously to have hot water readily available, so they consume a substantial amount of natural gas. Tankless models heat water at the moment as water is used, so they don’t use nearly as much energy. This saves around 324 lbs of CO2 emissions each year.
Ease of installation
Since tankless water heaters can be mounted to the wall, they take up far less floor space than a storage tank model. Only three and a half feet of wall space is needed to fit a tankless heater. It uses the existing chase and gas line, and since the exhaust temperatures are low, an economical 3’’ PVC pipe is sufficient for installation.
Tankless water heaters are increasingly popular as older, traditional ones need replacing. These water heaters provide many benefits behind the scenes, such as energy efficiency, but most notably, ensure that the hot water in a home never runs out. Remember these benefits to make a well-informed decision when it comes time to upgrade the water heater.
