Express Plumbing Heating & Air Blog
A tankless water heater uses up to 30-50% less energy than units with tanks, saving a typical family about $100 or more per year, depending on water usage. Tankless units, which are also known as “on-demand” units, heat water only when you turn on the faucet. You are not wasting money heating water in a tank that is just sitting idly waiting for someone to need hot water. There are many advantages to going with a tankless water heater. From the increased energy efficiency and lowered operating costs to space savings and extended lifespan. A typical tank water heater is supposed to last 10 to 13years, tankless water heaters are estimated to last up to 20 years.
One of the big advantages of tankless water heaters is the potential space savings. A traditional water heater is up to 60 gallons of capacity and is generally around 60″ tall and 24″ wide. A tankless water heater, in comparison, might be the size of a large computer, perhaps 20″ wide by 28″ tall and just 10″ deep.
While the case for tankless water heaters might sound like a no-brainer. There are several reasons why going this route might not be for you. A tank water heater that stores up to 60 gallons of hot water at a time will keep your showers, laundry, and other hot water needs properly satisfied. They reheat additional supplies quite quickly as well, so you’ll likely never run out of hot water. A tankless water heater has a throughput limit, able to supply a few gallons of hot water at all times.
While a typical tank water heater might be as cheap as $300-400, a tankless water heater starts closer to $1,000. A traditional gas water heater might use 30,000-50,000 BTU of natural gas or propane while it’s heating up your water. A tankless water heater might require 150,000-200,000 BTU to do the same as it heats up your water on demand. Sometimes this high BTU requirement isn’t possible when there is a low pressure main.
If you are looking to upgrade your water heater. Express Plumbing Heating & Air is well trained in both tank and tankless water heater installs. Give us a call and we’ll come out and provide a free estimate on improving your hot water situation.
