Storage water heaters have long been considered conventional water heaters as they have been around for about a century and are used by the majority of homeowners. Tankless technology has existed for almost just as long and has experienced a tremendous boom in popularity over the past few decades, thanks to the many benefits it can offer.
Tankless water heaters provide hot water on demand, meaning they heat water whenever a hot water tap is turned on across the whole house. The capacity of tankless models is represented by flow rate, measured in gallons per minute (GPM). Natural gas tankless water heaters and electric tankless water heaters are available, depending on the fuel type available throughout the home.
Unlike storage tank water heaters, they do not preheat cold water and hold it in a standard tank. The heat exchanger of a tankless water heater only turns on when the flow sensor detects the need for heating water – their design eliminates standby energy losses to reduce energy costs. Without a tank, tankless units save space in the home – many on-demand water heaters require minimal floor space or can be installed on a wall to eliminate the need for floor space.
While installation costs can be higher compared to installing a conventional water heater, the energy savings tankless water heaters produce while providing a constant supply of hot water leads many homeowners to choose tankless models when replacing their home water heater. Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing is a local Columbus plumber contractor providing installation, repairs, and maintenance services for tankless water heaters throughout the Columbus, OH, area. Contact our professional plumbing team today to learn more about the features available on these electric models and gas units, and a licensed plumber will help you find the right model for your household.
Tankless water heaters are becoming more common in Columbus, Ohio, area homes, replacing tank conventional water heaters that have been popular for many years. Whether your home currently has a storage-tank water heater or has a tankless water heater, there are many reasons to replace your system with an energy-efficient electric model or natural gas tankless water heater.
The many benefits of tankless water heater installation include:
Heating hot water is responsible for about 14% of the average home’s total energy consumption throughout the year. The water heater you use will have a noticeable impact on the amount of energy it takes to produce the hot water your family needs. If you are considering converting to a tankless water heater from a tank model or are ready to upgrade your existing tankless water heater unit, here are some important factors to keep in mind as you select a new unit for installation.
Purchasing a new tankless water heater will cost you more than buying a tank-style water heater. However, don’t be put off by the upfront cost of these models, as other considerations can make up for the difference. Tankless water heaters last twice as long as models that have tanks, meaning you won’t have to replace them as frequently. They’re also more energy efficient and cost less money to operate. The savings regarding operation and replacement can more than make up for the difference in cost between a tankless water heater and conventional storage water heaters.
The heating elements that activate to heat cold water coming through pipes in the house are powered by electricity or gas. Before selecting a new tankless water heater, you need to consider the fuel sources available for use with the system. Installing an electric tankless water heater increases the demand on the home’s electrical system and may require electrical upgrades to handle the larger load. Electricity is also more expensive in some areas than natural gas. Tankless water heaters with a gas heat exchanger are generally considered more powerful than electric tankless water heaters and are often preferred in homes with natural gas access or a liquid propane tank.
To make sure your household has enough hot water when using a tankless water heater, you need to determine how much hot water you need to heat to supply every use that can go on at once in the home. If multiple family members are taking showers while the dishwasher runs, units with higher flow rates will help ensure the hot water demand is met at a comfortable temperature. If the flow rate of your tankless water heater is not high enough, there will not be enough hot water to perform every activity comfortably at the same time.
Do you know how much hot water is consumed by various uses in your home, like running a faucet for bathroom or kitchen sinks, dishwasher, or showers?
Efficiency and low maintenance are two factors that draw homeowners to the use of electric tankless water heaters and gas units. Even though this type of water heater requires little ongoing care, they do suffer malfunctions from time to time. Common problems you may see in an electric or gas tankless unit include:
These issues can prevent your tankless water heater from operating at the energy efficiency level you expect from the unit and affect the temperature of the hot water that comes from your taps. If you experience temperature or performance problems from your tankless water heater when you shower, use the sink, or wash dishes, call Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing for tankless water heater repairs right away.
Homeowners who install demand-style tankless water heaters love these low-maintenance electric or gas systems. While there is not much upkeep to perform to ensure the unit operates properly really and the efficiency is maintained, professional preventive maintenance services performed by a licensed plumber can benefit the unit.
A plumber can perform maintenance services that will help you save money on energy expenses from using your tankless water heater. Hard water can cause mineral deposits to form within tankless units, reducing their efficiency and the temperature of heat that is transferred to the water coming from your shower or faucet. Descaling is performed to strip mineral deposits from the unit and flush them out of the system. Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers professional maintenance services for tankless water heaters in Columbus, OH, area homes.
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