Thinking About a Tankless Water Heater?

by Eileen Bailey on 09/25/12

As a homeowner, you are probably always looking at ways to save money on your monthly expenses. You might lower your thermostat while at work or make sure all appliances are unplugged when not in use. You might skip watering your garden or limit your time in the shower. Or you might be interested in switching to a tankless water heater.

Traditional water heaters, usually a 40 or 50 gallon tank in your basement, haven’t changed much over the past decades. They still pretty much look the same and operate the same, although today’s models are more energy efficient than in the past. These heaters work by heating up the tank of water so you have hot water available – as long as you don’t use more than your tank’s capacity at one time. The water stays hot because the tank cycles on and off throughout the day and night. That means you are constantly using energy to keep your water hot.

Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, are “on demand” heaters; they turn on only when hot water is needed and continue to heat the water until you no longer need hot water – you have an unlimited hot water supply. These types of heaters are usually mounted on the wall and take up less space than the traditional water tank. Because there is no water tank, you don’t need to worry about a broken tank or water leaking into your basement.

Tankless water heaters are also “greener.” With traditional water heaters, the more water you use, the larger the carbon footprint. With tankless water heaters, the footprint is much smaller because they are much more energy efficient.

While traditional water heaters cost less to purchase and install, the money you spend every month adds up. According to the California Energy Commission, “the expense of heating water for our daily needs” can be up to 25 percent of your energy dollars. Tankless water heaters are estimated to cut your water-heating energy bill by 10 to 20 percent. These types of heaters also don’t need to be replaced as often, sometimes lasting as long as 2 traditional water heaters. All of these savings should be considered, not just the initial cost, when deciding what type of water heater is best for your home.

Platinum Plumbing & Heating provides free consultations to help you determine if a tankless water heater will best fit your needs. Call 610-409-6500 to set up a time for us to visit with you and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using a tankless water heater.

References:

“Water Heaters,” Date Unknown, Staff Writer, California Energy Commission Consumer Energy Centerv