Top 3 Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

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

 

Tankless Water Heaters: Are They a Better Option for Your Family?

If your water heater is several years old, you may be considering investigating replacement. Most tank models can last at least ten years, sometimes longer if they are maintained. However, they can also be costing you more in utilities if they are more than a decade old. You may have heard of the advantages of tankless water heaters, but is this option the best one for your family? While most homes can benefit from switching to a tankless version, here are some factors to keep in mind.

Initial Cost

In many cases, tankless water heaters are more expensive than their bulky predecessors. However, they can significantly reduce your energy bills. Water is only heated when it is needed, cutting the cost of heating water by half or more. If you plan on moving soon, you may not make up the cost difference, so you may want to consider going with a cheaper, tank model.

Space

One of the biggest benefits besides energy reduction is saving space. Tankless models are much smaller and can even be located outdoors in some areas of the country.

Consistent Hot Water

While tankless water heaters offer the benefit of never running out of hot water, if you have a large family, there still could be issues. Running hot water in several places at the same time can be difficult; you won’t run out of hot water but it still needs to heat the water to go to multiple places.

All in all, tankless water heaters are often a better investment for those looking to buy a new model. Talk to your local plumber to determine if it is the right choice for your family or home.

Posted on behalf of:
Bynum & Sons Plumbing, Inc.
2120 McDaniels Bridge Rd SW
Lilburn, GA 30047
(770) 736-8283

Are You Tired of Running Out of Hot Water?

If you have a growing family, fighting over who gets the first showers of the day may be common in your home. By shower number three, the water can go from hot to cold as your water heater runs out of water. Trying to get a family of four or more all clean in the morning can take more hot water than your tank water heater can handle. To get the hot water you need, you have two choices when it comes to changing your water heater. Either buy a larger tank water heater or upgrade your home’s hot water heater to a tankless version.

Tankless Water Heaters – Hot Water Only When You Need It

If you have not researched tankless water heaters to fix your hot water issues, it is time you did. Tankless water heaters resolve the problem of running out of hot water because your hot water supply is endless. Tankless water heaters do not store hot water, they create it on demand, so it never runs out. In addition, there are other benefits to tankless water heaters, including:

  • Energy-efficiency. Tankless water heaters only heat water when you need it versus keeping a large tank of water hot 24/7. This can save up to 50% off your energy usage for hot water.
  • Space saver. You no longer will need a place to fit a large water tank. Tankless water heaters are much smaller and many can even be installed outside the home.
  • No tank leaks. A leak or flood from a tank water heater can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home. Tankless versions are less likely to cause water damage.

To learn more about the benefits of a tankless water heater, talk to your local plumbing service that offers tankless water heater installation. You will never have to be stuck with a cold shower again!

Posted on behalf of:
Kiddco Plumbing Inc
Sterling, VA
(703) 435-4441

5 Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

For decades, every home had a large tank-style water heater hidden in the basement or in the corner of a laundry room. Twenty-four hours a day, hundreds of gallons of water is kept heated, ready for use in these large tanks. But is this really the most efficient method? Why heat water when you are at work or on vacation? Tankless water heaters are the more efficient option available, for several great reasons. Here are five benefits of owning a tankless water heater: 

  1. Less energy. First and foremost, tankless water heaters only heat water on an as-needed basis so they use less energy. This can be a substantial savings each year and through the lifespan of the equipment.
  2. Less Space. Free up that corner in the laundry or pantry that stores your large tank water heater. Tankless heaters are much smaller- some can even be mounted outside the house.
  3. Long lifespan. Many tankless water heaters last longer than the tank variety. Tanks tend to corrode and rust from water storage. Tankless water heaters eliminate that component, extending the life of the equipment.
  4. Tax savings. Since tankless water heaters are considered an energy-efficient option, there are often tax breaks for switching to a tankless variety.
  5. Smaller chance of water damage. Leaking water heater tanks can cause extensive water damage to your home. Tankless water heaters do not store water so they are unlikely to flood your home. 

If you are ready to replace your old tank water heater, talk to your local plumber about the options available in tankless water heaters. For most homes, these new more efficient models are the best solution.

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

Is A Tankless Water Heater The Best Choice?

At first glance, there are many reasons why homeowners would want to choose a tankless water heater over the traditional tank model. They are space and energy efficient, while providing on-demand hot water for the entire home. However, while tankless is a great option for many households, tank models are fighting back with new EnergyStar rated models which are less expensive than tankless versions. If you are considering the installation of a tankless water heater, consider these points.

  • Gas heated. Although the gas heated tankless water heaters are very efficient, those that run on electricity are not as energy friendly.
  • Save money on energy bills. Since tankless models only heat water on demand, they can save average households about $100 or more per year.
  • Initial cost is higher. Tankless water heaters typically range between $700-$1,500 while tank models range between $500-$800. Additionally, in replacement situations, there will need to be retrofits for plumbing. In new construction projects, installation costs will be comparable between both models.
  • Durable. Tankless water heaters can last for 20 years or more. With an average savings of $100 per year over tank models, these appliances will most likely pay for themselves over their lifetimes.
  • No water storage. One of the biggest selling points of tankless heaters is the lack of a large water tank in which water needs to be stored. This can reduce the likelihood of water damage from leaks or tank damage.

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing the most appropriate water heater to suit the needs of your individual household. However, in new construction homes with access to gas, they seem to be the best option for an energy efficient water heater which will last for decades.

Posted on behalf of Kiddco Plumbing, Inc.

Upgrading to a Tankless Water Heater

Few things can ruin your day as quickly as being forced to take an ice-cold shower because you’re the last person into the bathroom in the morning. Running out of hot water doesn’t take long in a large household, and waiting for an old-fashioned tank to completely refill isn’t always feasible. Thanks to advances in modern home technology, your cold showers and lukewarm dishwasher can be a thing of the past.

Making the switch to a tankless water heater system will require a bit of professional attention, but it’s an investment that will pay for itself in the long run. The EPA estimates that the average homeowner can slash their energy usage by up to thirty percent by converting to a tankless water heater system. That means that you can save hundreds of dollars each year, simply by installing a tankless water heater system. Even if you change no daily habits in your household, you’ll still be reducing your carbon footprint and monthly expenses considerably.

Another perk to tankless water heaters is that you’ll never run out of hot water again after you install one. Because water is heated on demand, you have what is essentially a limitless supply of hot water. This means that every member of the family will be able to take a hot shower in the morning, and you can still run the dishwasher on your way out the door. While you’re out of the house for the day, your water heater won’t be holding a supply of water and using energy to maintain the temperature.

Contact a plumber in your area today to discuss the perks of a tankless water heater conversion, and your options for making such a beneficial switch.

Posted on behalf of Chuck Seagraves, Seagraves Plumbing

Google

Time for a New Water Heater? Consider Going Tankless

If it’s time to replace your  conventional storage type water heater, consider whether installing a tankless water heater makes sense for your home.  Tankless water heaters (also called demand water heaters) have many advantages over conventional storage type water heaters, but they come with certain trade-offs.

The primary advantage of a tankless water heater is that they are much more energy efficient than a standard storage type water heater.  According to EPA estimates, tankless water heaters use about 30% less energy to heat water than a conventional storage type water heater.  Since water heating is one of the largest users of energy in most homes, the energy savings can be significant.

The energy savings from tankless water heaters are a result of heating water only when it is needed.  A conventional water heater heats a tank of water and keeps it hot all day whether there is a demand for hot water or not.  The energy used to keep the water hot is called standby heat loss.  A demand or tankless water heater eliminates standby heat loss and saves energy by heating water only when the hot water tap is opened.

Before committing to a tankless water heater, talk to an experienced plumber who understands the trade-offs inherent in these types of systems.  For one thing, a tankless water heater is more expense than a conventional water heater.  However, a tankless water heater has two to three times the useful life of a conventional water heater.

Also, sizing is critical for tankless water heaters to maximize efficiency while ensuring that you don’t run out of hot water.  Your plumber can review your hot water usage habits and help you select the right size tankless water heater for your home.

How to Size a Tankless Water Heater

If you are considering installing a tankless water heater in your new home or replacing your existing conventional water heater with an energy efficient tankless water heater, you have probably been attracted by a combination of energy savings and the promise of “endless hot water.”  However, properly sizing a tankless water heater is important to take advantage of these attributes of tankless water heaters.  If your water heater is too small, you will end up with “endless lukewarm water.”  On the other hand, buying one that is too large is just a waste of money and reduces your savings.

To choose the correct size demand water heater, you need to know two three thing:  the temperature of the cold water as it enters your home, the temperature you need the hot water to reach, and your flow rate.  Flow rate is the maximum number of gallons of hot water you expect to use per minute.  For example, if you want to be able to take a shower at the same time you are doing laundry, add up the gallons of hot water used per minute by your washing machine and in your shower.

Once you have the flow rate, subtract the temperature of the cold water from the temperature desired for the hot water keeping in mind that the temperature of the cold water entering your home may vary throughout the year.  Use the lowest expected temperature. This calculation will give you the necessary temperature rise.

Look for a demand water heater that can provide the  necessary temperature rise at the desired flow rate.  By choosing an appropriately sized demand water heater, you can maximize energy efficiency without sacrificing performance.

Water Heating Energy Savings Tips

According to EPA estimates, up to 25% of the energy used in the typical home is spent on water heating.  You can save money on your energy bills by implementing a few water heating strategies.

Reducing your hot water usage not only saves money on water heating but also on your water bills.  Fix any leaking water fixtures such as sink, tub, and shower faucets as soon as you notice them.  Low flow showerheads are easy for your plumber to install and can save as much as half the hot water used in a typical shower.

Installing a water heater insulation blanket can reduce standby heat loss by up to 45%, especially on older poorly insulated water heaters.  These insulation blankets are readily available at your local home improvement center.  Installation on an electric water heater is something most homeowners can do, but if you have a gas water heater you should have the insulation blanket installed by a professional.

If you have an electric water heater, you may be able to save money by installing a timer that turns your water heater off at night and during the day while you are away from home.  Timers can be especially effective if your utility company charges more for electricity used during peak demand periods.  You can set the timer so that the water heater is turned off during these peak usage periods and heats water during low demand periods when electricity is less expensive.

Finally, when it comes time to replace your water heater, consider installing a tankless water heater and be sure to look for a water heater with the ENERGY STAR label.  You will save energy throughout the service life of the water heater.