Top 3 Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

September 4th, 2018 Posted in Tankless Hot Water
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Tank water heaters have been the traditional source for hot water in most homes for decades. Whether they use gas or electricity, they offer a supply of water that is already heated and ready for use, with average-sized tanks holding 40-50 gallons of water. However, tankless water heaters are becoming more popular due to their on-demand design, energy efficiency and small space needs. Here are the top 3 pros and cons of tankless water heaters for residential use.

Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

  1. Lower energy costs. Tankless water heaters only heat the water on-demand, saving money off energy costs. Unlike tank water heaters that keep water hot 24/7, the tankless water heaters heat water as needed.
  2. Smaller unit. Since there is not a tank, these water heaters are much smaller in size. They can be hung on a wall or even put on the outside wall of a home.
  3. Less risk of water damage. If a water heater tank springs a leak, it can cause extensive water damage in a home. No tank means no risk of a tank leak.

Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

  1. Higher initial cost. Tankless water heaters tend to be higher in initial cost than their tank counterparts, but make up the difference in long-term energy savings.
  2. Slower hot water. Tank water heaters have many gallons of hot water ready to go, while tankless must heat water as needed. This can make it slower to get hot water, but the hot water will not run out like with a tank.
  3. Not well-suited for larger homes. If there are several rooms using hot water at one time in a home, a tankless water heater may have trouble keeping up with the demand. Most tankless water heaters can heat about 3.5 gallons per minute.

If you are looking for a more energy efficient hot water source that will never run out of hot water, tankless may be the way to go for your home. Talk to your local plumber about the options available in tankless water heaters.

Posted on behalf of:
Seagraves Plumbing Sewer & Septic
4980 Plant Atkinson Rd SE
Smyrna, GA 30080
(494) 792-2221

 

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Water Heater Location

March 16th, 2012 Posted in Water Heaters
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If you are building a new home you may have several alternative locations for placement of the water heater. Common locations include the attic, a basement or crawl space, an indoor utility room, and an attached garage.  Each location has its advantages and disadvantages.  If you are not happy with the proposed location, talk to your builder or general contractor about different water heater installation options.

For existing homes, changing the location of a water heater can be problematic depending on where it is located, where you want to relocate it, and the accessibility of the plumbing.  Talk to your plumber about any concerns you have regarding the current location and the feasibility and cost of moving the water heater to a new location.

Locating the water heater inside a heated space such as an indoor utility closet or heated garage will help reduce standby heat losses and in many cases, an indoor location will minimize the length of hot water supply lines which will reduce heat loss and shorten wait times for hot water.

However, many homeowners prefer to locate the water heater outside the living space to avoid the possibility of flooding damage if the water heater starts leaking.  Also, locating gas water heaters outside of living spaces can make venting the unit easy and minimizes concerns about carbon monoxide and gas leaks.  Basements and garages are good locations outside of the home that offer good accessibility.

Attics are a common location for water heaters.  There are a lot of advantages to placing a water heater in the attic.  There is usually plenty of space and it is relatively easy to access and service the water  heater.  However, take extra care to ensure that a deep drip pan is installed under the water heater along with a leak free drain line.  If the water heater leaks leaks you want to ensure that it does not cause any damage to your walls and ceilings.

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Water Heater Temperature

December 22nd, 2011 Posted in Water Heaters
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You can save money on your energy costs by setting the temperature on your standard holding tank type water heater a few degrees lower.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, lowering your water heater temperature setting by ten degrees can save three to five percent on your water heating costs.

Most water heater come from the factory set at 140 degrees, but it is easy to lower the setting just by turning the thermostat dial down to the desired temperature. Check your owner’s manual for instructions on adjusting the thermostat on your water heater.  On a gas water heater, the thermostat is usually found at the bottom of the tank near the pilot light.  The thermostat on an electric water heater is usually behind a small panel and there may be two thermostats, an upper an a lower.

Most households don’t need water heated to 140 degrees and water that hot can pose a risk scalding.  120 degrees is usually a good setting for most households and it also slows the development of mineral build up and corrosion.  Not only will you save money on your energy bill, but your water heater will last longer.

If you have a dishwasher, check the owner’s manual before you lower the temperature setting on your water heater.  Some dishwashers require water temperatures of 130 degrees or more to clean properly.  Dishwashers with heat boosters are less sensitive to lower hot water temperatures.

The one disadvantage of lowering the temperature on your water heater is that you may run out of hot water sooner.  Since the water is not as hot, you will mix less cold water with the hot water to get the desired shower or bathwater temperature.

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Hot Water Energy Savings

February 20th, 2011 Posted in Water Heaters
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Heating water can account for up to 25% of the energy usage in your home.  Here are a few ways you can save money on your energy bill for heating water.  If you are replacing your storage type water heater, look for an energy efficient model that is properly sized for your home.  If the tank is too small, you run the risk of running out of hot water at an inopportune time.  If the tank is too bit, you will waste energy and money by heating more water than necessary and keeping it hot.

To save energy without replacing your existing water heater, install an insulation blanket.  These are available at your local home improvement store and can save up to 9% in water heating costs.  Blankets for electric water heaters are easy to install, but you should consider having a reputable local plumber install one on your gas or oil water heater.

Installing heat traps on your water heater can also save energy by limiting convective heat loss through your outlet and inlet pipes.  Heat traps are installed in the inlet and outlet pipe and should usually be installed by an experienced plumber.

A timer that turns your water heater off at night or while you are away from home during the day can save significant money on water heating bills.  Timers are most effective on electric water heaters, but can also be installed on gas or oil water heaters. In some areas, your power company may offer lower rates or other incentives if you allow them to install a control device that they can use to shut off your water heater during periods of heavy demand.

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Choosing a Water Heater

January 31st, 2011 Posted in Water Heaters
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These days homeowners have a lot of options when choosing a new water heater.  Before choosing a new water heater, you should consider the different types of water heaters available and choose a type and size that is right for your home.  Keep in mind that if you choose a qualifying energy efficient water heater, you may be eligible for a tax credit of 10% of the cost of the water heater up to $300.

There are several different types of water heaters on the market today.  A conventional storage type water heater is a popular option.  These keep 20 to 60 gallons of water hot and ready to use at all times.  These are less efficient than other types of water heaters because they keep water hot even when you are not using it.

Tankless or on-demand water heaters heat water as it is needed instead of storing it.  Since they do not have the energy loss associated with storing hot water, they are more efficient than conventional water heaters and can save money on your energy bill.  One concern with tankless water heaters is that they may not be able to keep up with the demand if multiple demands for hot water are made at the same time such as washing clothes and taking a shower.

Heat pump water heaters use electricity to move heat from the air or ground to heat water instead of heating the water directly with a flame or heating element.  These are the most efficient type off water heaters, but also the most expensive.  Also, they are slower to heat water than conventional water heaters.

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