What Are Tankless Water Heaters?
Do you lament having to pay high utility bills for heating water? Maybe you should consider a tankless water heater as an alternative to a large tank model. You can save up to 50% in your water heating energy use by upgrading from a storage tank to tankless water heaters at each fixture. Before jumping on the tankless water heater trend, you need to understand how these systems work and how to get the greatest savings from them.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
The secret to the energy savings of tankless water heater lies in how it works. Storage tank units must keep 40 to 80 gallons of water heated throughout the day in case you need it. However, tankless models heat the water as it passes through. The average family that uses 41 daily gallons of hot water can see savings up to 34% with a single tankless heater.
The closer to your water heater your fixture is, the faster you will experience hot water. Therefore, the best way to get the most water heated quickly is to install these models near each plumbing appliance that uses hot water. For instance, placing one in each bathroom and one in each of the laundry room and kitchen. When used in this configuration, you don’t have to worry about the water flow of up to five gallons a minute of running out if you have multiple appliances that require hot water running at once
Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heater models use less energy since they don’t constantly warm gallons of water. Plus, they fit into smaller spaces. Additionally, you can use these models to provide hot water for remote locations such as vacation homes or spare bathrooms and not worry about wasting energy to produce hot water when you don’t need it.
What Types of Homes Benefit Most from These Water Heaters?
While all homes can benefit from energy savings by switching to tankless, some homes that use hot water rarely see even greater savings. The best uses for these water heaters are in homes that would have energy wasted from storage tank models because the residents don’t use hot water throughout the day. For example, if you have a beach house or guest suite, a tankless water heater only heats water when the hot water system turns on, reducing heating costs and saving money.
Plus, if you have electricity, your home may not get the most from a tankless model, which typically requires gas for heating. Talk to a professional installer to find out if your home can benefit from using one or more tankless heaters.
Contact Us at Best Service Plumber for Information About Tankless Water Heater Installation
Upgrade today to tankless water heaters throughout your home to see extreme savings and hot water that meets your demand. Contact us at Best Service Plumber to schedule a visit to learn more about the various options for heating your water and if tankless models will fit into your home’s size and your hot water usage.
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Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
Taking care of your water heater helps to lengthen its life and ensure it operates properly. Tankless water heater maintenance is also crucial if you want to keep the warranty on the appliance active. Failing to regularly keep up with maintenance chores on your water heater could void the warranty and reduce the ability of the tank to heat your water. Don’t make this mistake. Schedule at least annual checks and care of your tankless water heater.
Annual Flushing
Depending on the brand and size of the tankless water heater you have, you likely will need annual flushing to maintain its warranty. Flushing a tankless model is very different from doing the same chore with a storage-tank water heater. In fact, water heater manufacturer Rinnai outlines 12 steps to flushing their tankless models. However, the company also recommends that only a professional installer conduct the flushing procedure to avoid problems. If you have hard water in your area, you could require more frequent than annual flushing of your water heater.
Cleaning the Air and Water Filters
Aside from flushing the water heater, you should also have the air and water filters cleaned or replaced. Most tankless water heaters have air intake filters that will need regular cleaning to keep air flowing correctly to the unit. However, some models may also have water filters that need cleaning when you flush the unit. Again, having a plumber clean off the types of filters that your tankless model has will ensure the filters are cleaned and reinstalled correctly. Plus, they can recommend if you need to replace the filters.
Checking the Temperature
Lastly, check the temperature on the water heater on a regular basis. Generally, the water heater should not be set lower than 115 degrees Fahrenheit to provide warm enough water for bathing. However, don’t set the water heater higher than 130 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent scalding. If you do set the unit higher to kill off bacteria, ask your plumber about anti-scalding devices for your home.
Get Tankless Water Heater Maintenance Services from Best Service Plumber in Southern California
When it comes to keeping your tankless water heater running at its best, don’t forget the regular maintenance. By taking care of your water heater, you will also protect the warranty for the appliance. However, most tankless water heater flushing and cleaning chores are best done by professionals. For tankless water heater maintenance, contact us at Best Service Plumber in Southern California at 951-338-8624. You can trust us to keep your water heater running well.
Tankless Water Heater Myths You Need to Stop Believing
Despite their increasing popularity, some people still do not trust tankless water heaters to give them the hot water for a whole house they need. Before you need to choose a plumbing appliance for heating your home’s water, learn the truth behind these common tankless water heater myths.
1. Tankless Water Heaters Are Expensive
While initially, the prices of tank models cost less than tankless, comparing the costs of operation and longevity makes one a better investment. Tankless models use less energy and can cut up to 20% off your energy bills.
2. Tankless Water Heaters Don’t Last Long
Another factor in choosing any investment for your home is considering how long the addition will last. Tank water heaters usually only last a decade, but this longevity shrinks in homes with hard water or those who do not change the heating element regularly.
Tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years. Part of the reason behind their longevity is the lack of a tank holding water. In tank models, minerals from the water settle to the bottom of the tank, creating a layer of deposits that can ruin the water heater and reduce its efficiency. Since they don’t hold large amounts of water for extended times, tankless models last longer.
3. Tankless Models Don’t Heat Enough Water for a House
Tank heating units can only heat as much water as they can hold. If you have a large house or several people in your family, you will need a bigger tank to accommodate all the showers, baths, laundry loads, and dishwashing. Should someone in your home want to take an extra-long shower and uses up all the hot water, you may have to wait half an hour or longer for the water in the tank to reheat.
Tankless models offer an unlimited supply of hot water. As water passes through, the unit heats it. Without constraints of a tank, tankless models work better for large homes that frequently use all the hot water in a normal tank water heater.
4. You Can’t Control the Water Temperature
Just as you can adjust the temperature on a tank water heater to save money and make the hot water safer, you can do the same with tankless models. Be sure to consult the model’s information for the process of changing the temperature to keep the hot water from scalding you when you use it.
5. Water Arrives at the Faucet Instantly
Some people confuse tankless water heaters’ ability to heat water instantly with immediate delivery to the faucet. However, the water still has to travel through pipes before it gets to the faucet. The farther a faucet is from the water heater, the longer it will take for the hot water to arrive.
6. You Can Install a Tankless Water Heater Alone
Installing tankless water heaters is a not simple task. You will likely need to make some adjustments to your home to allow the accommodation of a new tankless model. Don’t do this job yourself. Get professional installation and a range of quality water heaters by calling us at Best Service Plumber at 951-520-8557.