Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
The supply of readily available hot water is expected in today's homes. Homeowners prefer having hot water on the spot when they need it, which cannot always be achieved in a traditional tank-type unit - you have to wait a couple of minutes before your hot water shower to begin. As the demand for tankless water heater increases, it is slowly becoming a necessity.
Do you ever feel tired running out of hot water? Not to mention the excessive increase of utility costs once you fire up the old burners of your traditional heater. In today's average homes, traditional tank-type units are slowly becoming obsolete as more people discover the unbeatable benefits of switching to tankless units.
Why Abandon Tank Type Water Heaters?
Most households utilize a tank-type unit that requires the tank to be full before heating it, usually around 40 to 50 gallons of water. However, the processes needed to heat water is hugely wasteful because it is continuously heating the water in the tank. Its efficiency is rated only at 60%, whereas a tank-type unit is rated at 95%. These represent two things: 1) 40 cents of every dollar you spend on utility costs goes down the drain and 2) Energy consumption is wasted by 40%. Additionally, its fuel cost ranges at $325 per year, whereas tankless units range at $225 with a yearly difference of $100.
Another downside is the possibility of having insufficient hot water. Lack of hot water occurs when a teenager takes an exceptionally long shower, or your spouse settles in for a hot bath. If the storage capacity of 40 gallons is drained, it takes a long time to refill and reheat the water.
More importantly, there are multiple concerns for the whole lifespan of the tank: Will sediments pile up at the bottom? Will the tank leak? Can I make repairs myself? All are considerable concerns.
Reasons to Switch to Tankless Water Heater Now
They are compact and lightweight. Tankless units are small and compact, allowing you the capability to install or relocate it anywhere on the house. Ideally, it must be located indoors where it is easily accessible and safe such as closets, under-stair storage areas, pantries, or under the sink. Moreover, they only require a measly amount of footprint space as compared to traditional units, which can take up to 16 square footage of floor space.
They are safer. Unlike a tank-type unit, tankless units won't leak, do not harbor harmful bacteria or tip over in an earthquake because it does not have a storage tank. It works by receiving cold water from the inlet pipe where a sensor detects water flow and starts to ignite the burners, heating the water. Its exhaust vent is fully sealed, which safely emits discharge outside the house.
More convenient. Tankless units take about 15 seconds to heat water, whereas a tank-type unit takes around 2 minutes. Both types will require you to wait for that hot water to arrive at your faucet or shower; however, 15 seconds is far from instant hot water. What makes a tankless unit convenient is its built-in recirculation pump. This pump pushes back cold water from the hot water pipe back to the heater, which is then replaced by hot water, giving you instant hot water after opening the tap.
Moreover, if a household requires running the dishwasher, washing machine, and taking a shower all at the same time, it wouldn't be a problem with a tankless unit, provided that its source of water and intake pipe is sufficient. It can produce 4 gallons of water per minute with no recovery time and a continuous supply of hot water throughout your home.
Easy to winterize. If you are leaving your home from the winter, homeowners know too well how long it takes for a tank-type unit to drain completely. On the contrary, a tankless unit only takes a few seconds to drain and pushing the off button.
More energy efficient. Tankless units use 30 to 50% less energy; they are so efficient that they are certified by the Federal Energy Star Program, which makes them eligible for utility rebates. These rebates are enough to make up for the price difference between purchasing tank-type units. This energy-efficient system translates to $100 per year in utility cost savings.
Longer warranties. The manufacturers of tankless units offer a lifetime warranty with other policies such as free replacements of faulty parts for a minimum of 12 to 15 years. Whereas a traditional unit comes with six years average warranty as a whole.
Longer lifespan. Tankless units can operate for 20 years or more, which is two times longer than a tank-type unit. But since corrosion and sediment build-up is a normal part of traditional tank-type units, they will deteriorate faster. However, regular maintenance can prolong the inevitable, which can add a few more years to its lifespan, tankless units don't have this problem. It is a resilient machine.
For more information on adding a tankless water heater to your custom home design, contact Grayson Homes at 919-578-6222.
