Updating
your home to improve efficiency can reduce the day-to-day costs you have to
worry about. A lot of areas of most homes can use improvement, but one area
that can make a big difference is the water heater. Whether you use gas or
electric to heat your water, the cost of keeping it warm has the most
significant impact on your monthly bill.
You
should consider the benefits of updating to a tankless water heater. This
upgrade could save you money as well as increase home efficiency.
Heating
water for your home with a highly efficient water heater will help lower your
utility costs, but once that water is hot, you need to keep it that way so when
you turn on the tap, you get hot water. Most water heaters will store hot water
in the tank and use a thermostat to monitor the temperature. The water heater
then must turn the heating elements on and off to keep the water at the set
temperature. This constant on and off cycle of the heating elements or the
burner in a gas system is what increases the cost of hot water. A tankless
water heater eliminates the need to keep hot water hot, which can decrease your
utility costs.
Although,
the biggest deterrent to switching to a tankless system for many people is the
initial cost. Tankless water heaters can run for several thousand dollars,
depending on the type, model, and size. But the cost saving is long-term, and
the month-to-month energy bill can reflect small savings right away.
A
tankless water heater has the advantage of not needing to keep the water hot
all day when no one is home. The system works on demand. In other words, you
turn the hot water tap on and the water heater heats the water as you need it.
It is never on unless you need hot water, so it saves electricity or gas, which
saves money in the long run.
The
tankless systems come in many different types and styles. If you are
considering one, a professional can suggest what type of system will do what
you need. Talk to your plumber about the options for your home.
Beyond
the energy savings of the tankless water heater, installing a tankless system
can save you space in your home. The tankless heaters are much smaller and open
up the space formerly occupied with the hot water tank. A tankless water heater
may be the best option for a small home that does not have a lot of room;
whereas, in the past, a small space meant using a smaller tank, which is far
less efficient.
The
typical life expectancy of a tankless water heater is around 20 years, far longer than the
standard tank water heaters. The tankless heaters have less to go wrong and no
tank to rust and leak. Combine that with the limited running time of the
tankless heater, and you have a system that is far less likely to wear out or
break down in a few years.
The
flow rate on most tankless heaters is between 2.5 and 5 gallons of water
per minute. In some cases, that is not enough to keep up with more than one
fixture in the home ,so showering and washing dishes at the same time might not
be possible. If you have a large house, you may benefit from having several
smaller heaters installed in each bathroom and one in the kitchen. The smaller
units are a little cheaper and would feed only the fixtures in the area.
Several
smaller heaters can offer you more flexibility and still offer a lower
operating cost. Because the unit is smaller and used less, it may save you more
money.
At Rooter
Express, we offer installation and service of tankless
water heaters and can help you decide if these systems are right for you. Give
us a call today, and we will come to look at your current plumbing to determine
if your home will support a new system and give you an estimate for
installation.
