Did you know that water heating can account for up to 30 percent of your home’s average energy bill? Considering energy efficiency when choosing a water heater can help you reduce your monthly energy costs. Plumbing companies share some tips for using tankless water heaters.
About tankless water heaters
Tankless water heaters offer “hot water on demand.” While your old water heater heats the entire water tank and uses a lot of natural gas to keep it hot until it’s used, a tankless water heater only heats water during use.
You don’t have to pay for hot water storage. A tankless solution uses high-powered burners that quickly heat the water flowing through the heat exchanger, providing an instant supply of hot water. If you have a family, this means you don’t have to worry about someone using up all the hot water or waiting for the tank to fill before you can take a shower.
Non-contact water heaters are more energy efficient than traditional storage water heaters. According to Energy Saver, a home that uses 41 gallons or less of hot water per day will get up to 34% energy savings with its tankless water heater compared to a conventional water heater. For homes that use more than 86 gallons a day, they can be 14% more efficient. If you install a tankless water heater at every hot water outlet in your home, you can save up to 50%.
What to look out for
Tankless water heaters have a higher initial purchase price, but they are durable and will run at a lower cost, resulting in savings over time. They are easy to maintain because the replacement parts are readily available. Energy Saver reports that tankless water heaters can last more than 20 years and a hot water storage tank can last 10-15 years.
One drawback is that tankless water heaters may not provide enough hot water for multiple uses around the house. For example, more than one person showering in different bathrooms at the same time or showering while the dishwasher is running may exceed the allowable limit. Multiple homeowners or homeowners who use a lot of hot water can install two or more tankless water heaters in their home to ensure their needs are met.