Water heaters are one of the most beneficial elements of every home. Not only are they used for relaxing showers, but they also aid in the gentle maintenance of our dishwashing and laundry.
Traditional water heaters can get the job done but they take up a lot of real estate in your home and consume a considerable amount of energy. Moreover, they tend to run out of hot water just when you need it the most. For this reason, many households are switching to tankless variants.
Below, we discuss what a tankless water heater is, the advantages of a tankless water heater, and how you can get one installed in your home today!
What Is Tankless Water Heater?
As you may have guessed, tankless water heaters do not have a storage compartment to keep water in. Instead, it heats water on demand as it flows through the shower unit. This works by turning on the hot water tap, allowing cool water to access the heat, and letting the electric element (or gas burner) in the heater work its magic.
Because the water can be heated directly and on demand, you never have to worry about running out of hot water or waiting for your heater tank to fill up before using it.
Advantages Of A Tankless Water Heater
Unlimited Supply of Hot Water
Designed to address the common challenge with traditional heaters, a tankless variant can provide an unlimited supply of hot water. Thanks to its direct heating system, all you need to ensure is a steady supply of water and energy to get it going.
This advantage is particularly important for households with multiple people, raising the demand for hot water at any time of day.
Enhanced Durability
Tankless water heaters are more durable than traditional ones thanks to their pioneering structural design. For instance, traditional heaters are constantly heating and cooling, which requires frequent expansion and contracting, thus weakening the material and shortening its lifespan.
A tankless option is not exposed to such a harsh process, which lessens the occurrence of leaks and damages, and also enhances its longevity. On average, traditional tanks need to be replaced within 10 to 15 years, while a tankless heater can last more than 20 years with proper maintenance.
Saves Energy and Lowers Bills
Households can save between 8% to 34% of energy per day by opting for tankless water heaters. This is because the latter only consumes energy when heat is required, compared to a traditional unit that is constantly reheating over the course of the day. When added up, this significant dip in energy consumed can greatly increase your savings on utility bills.
Easier Installation and Space Saving
Without the need for a storage element, tankless water heaters are quite compact. This makes installation much easier and allows for more flexibility when choosing where to store it. Because of its size, tankless units can even fit in closets, under the stairs, under your sink, or in the pantry. This is a huge improvement from having to keep a large water tank in the basement.
Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
When something can benefit both the household and the environment, we consider that an ultimate win. Thanks to their high energy efficiency, tankless water heaters have lower greenhouse gas emissions and reduced carbon footprint. These units also help in the conservation of water since homeowners don’t need to have the shower run too long before the heat is applied.
Long-Term Savings
Tankless units may cost more upfront, but the long-term benefits significantly outweigh this. Saving up to 34% of energy consumed, lowering of total water bill, and adding twice as many years to its lifespan is more than enough to balance out the initial expenses.
Straightforward Maintenance
To keep your tankless water heater working as it should, regular maintenance is advised. Depending on the hardness of your local water supply, you need to descale your water heater once every 6 months. This can be done on your own, however, we highly recommend getting a plumbing professional to take care of maintenance for you to ensure your unit can last decades. Not only can a trained expert quickly and efficiently descale your water heater, but they can also warn you of any potential issues at its early stages and help get it resolved before it turns into a bigger repair job.
Conclusion
There are many advantages of a tankless water heater. If you are looking to switch, be sure to invest in quality installation services. Not only will an efficient and reliable team help ensure the functionality of your unit, but it can also guarantee a long-lasting setup.
For tankless water heater installations, repairs, replacements, and maintenance, call Discount Plumbing San Diego today!