Tankless Water Heaters…An Efficient Oxymoron! Conventional Water Heaters…A Thirsty Monster
If you’re like most of us, the term “water heater” conjures images of a bulky, probably rusty (and perhaps leaky) piece of equipment stashed away in a closet or basement. And, unless you’re the victim of frequent cold showers, it’s unlikely you give your water heater much thought at all.
But, maybe you should.
Conventional water heaters consume large amounts of energy heating, then keeping warm, water that often just sits unused throughout most of the day. When your family is busy with work or after-school activities, your water heater is busy using gas or electricity that over time adds up to nearly a third of an average home’s energy budget. For the typical family, that can total over $2,500 a year!
Efficiency and Safety
As the name implies, tankless water heaters don’t have a tank. Also known as “on-demand” water heaters, these sleek boxes hang on the wall saving valuable floor space. When you turn the hot water handle, cold water travels through a pipe (warmed by a gas burner or an electric element) that heats the water as it flows. This process provides a nearly endless supply of hot water as users are no longer limited to just what can be stored in the tank of a conventional water heater. What’s more, the tankless design virtually eliminates the risk of flooding associated with conventional water heaters and ensures cleaner water thanks to the lack of sediment buildup found in conventional water heater tanks.
Energy Savings
In addition to enjoying an unlimited supply of hot water, tankless owners benefit from substantial energy cost savings. Tankless water heaters are 30 to 60% more efficient than storage tank models because:
- As conventional water heaters age, sediment builds up in the tank. Over time, this forces the water heater to use greater amounts of energy as it works harder and harder to heat water. By design, tankless water heaters don’t suffer the same fate meaning utility savings remain constant for the life of the unit.
- Since there is no tank to fill, tankless water heaters don’t waste energy heating and storing water that isn’t being used. Households consuming 40 gallons or more of hot water a day can reduce their carbon footprint by up to 35%! (Depending on a family’s consumption, those savings can be even higher.)
Is a Tankless Right for You?
The type of tankless water heater you need depends on several variables, including the size of your family and the number of water-consuming appliances used in your home. Your Service Professor technician will work with you to calculate your home’s hot water usage to ensure you’ll have the perfect model for your needs. (He or she will also help you take advantage of any available utility rebates to help you save even more!)
Ready to see if a tankless water heater is right for your home? Give us a call today for a free, no-pressure consultation, and see how much you can save!