Do you really save money with a tankless water heater?
Overall, tankless water heaters do save you on energy expenses in the long term. Unlike traditional water heaters that store hot water, using up energy, until the hot water is ready to use, tankless water heaters heat water as it flows, which saves on energy. Tankless water heaters will save you anywhere between $70 to $100 or more per year on your energy bills. Much of the cost saving will depend, of course, on the amount of hot water used by your family.
What is more efficient tankless or tank water heater?
The amount of hot water used by a household usually determines whether a tankless or tank water heater is more efficient for the home. The more hot water a household uses, the more energy efficient the tankless system becomes.
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of tankless vs. tank water heaters
Tankless water heater vs. tank
The initial installation costs of a tankless water heater can prove to be more expensive than a traditional tank unit. Gas powered tankless systems can also use up extra energy if the pilot light is left running all day because the pilot light only heats the water as it flows through the system. On the other hand, a gas-powered tank storage system needs the pilot light to keep the stored water heated, which prevents energy from being wasted.
Overall, however, tankless water heaters have the advantage over tank storage water heaters when it comes to energy efficiency. Even if you are using 41 gallons or less of hot water each day, your tankless water heaters will prove to be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than a tank water heater. The energy efficiency improves as more hot water is used, which can be a real savings for those with larger families that use a lot of hot water. Energy efficiency improves by 8% to 14% for homes using more than 86 gallons of hot water per day.
No matter what kind of water heater you choose, you need to keep it well maintained for it to run properly and efficiently. When you need water heater repair, make sure to contact the experts at Grateful Plumber.
Energy efficiency is an important aspect for savings for both residential and commercial properties. One area that helps with energy efficiency is a good residential or commercial roofing system that reflects heat from the building.
How long do tankless water heaters last?
Tankless water heaters can last 20 years or more, as compared to the 10 to 13 years a standard tank system will last.
Do tankless water heaters need maintenance?
While tankless water heaters are generally low maintenance, it’s good to give them a regular check up once a year to ensure the device is running properly, especially if you have hard water problems or the heat is set at high temperature year round. Both situations can lead to mineral buildup and scaling.
Here are some maintenance tips for tankless water heaters:
- Shut off the power source before beginning any work.
- Turn off all three valves. The hot water valve is usually red, while the cold water valve is usually blue. A third valve controls the main line that carries the water to the house.
- Remove the T-shaped purging valve to relieve pressure inside the heater.
- Attach hosing lines that came with the heater so you can flush the system.
- Turn the purge port valves to “open” position, usually vertical.
- Flush the system using about 3 gallons of white vinegar.
- After purging the system according to the manufacturer’s instruction, remove hosing and reattach valves
- Restart the system according to the manufacturer’s guidelines and then let water run in the sink for about 1 minute to get rid of all the air.
How big of a tankless water heater do I need?
The size of the tankless water system that you choose will depend on the flow rate you need and the temperature rise for the system application. That is, are planning to heat the whole house or just a small part like a single bathroom. For each device you’re heating in the home, you’ll want determine the flow rate or gallons per minute the device will use. You’ll add all the flow rates together. You’ll determine the temperature rise by subtracting the incoming water temperature from the desired output. Usually it’s best to assume the incoming water temperature is 50 degrees. Using that temperature will prevent you from undersizing the tankless water heater.
What tankless water heater should I get
The type of tankless water heater you get will primarily depend on how much water you plan to use and how many appliances you’re hooking it up to. There are many good brands on the market that will fit perfectly to your household needs. You’ll also want a tankless water heater with a good warranty from the manufacturer. A good warranty will indicate the manufacturer believes in its product’s quality and reliability.
Tankless water heater is leaking
Although it is rare, tankless water heaters do leak. Usually leaks occur near the bottom of the system or around the connections. Leaks may also occur because the water heater is poorly vented. If you live in an area with hard water, leaks could occur because of mineral build up in the system. Regular maintenance, including flushing the system, and repairs will help prevent leaks.
Tankless water heater to fill a bath
Size matters when it comes to tankless water heaters. A tankless heater that’s too small will not heat your water properly. Bathtubs will generally need a larger water heater to make sure that when you fill the tub the water will stay hot.
No matter what kind of water heater you have, when you need water heater repair in Indianapolis, IN, you can rely on the professionals at Grateful Plumber. Give us a call at 317-677-4918 today to schedule services.
