A Tankless Water Heater May be Right for You.
Today, more than ever, homeowners have so many options for making their homes as energy efficient as possible and reducing monthly utility bills. One such option is a Tankless Hot Water Heater. In this blog, I will lay out some of the advantages of choosing a tankless water heater over a standard unit, as well as some factors you should take into consideration when making your choice.
Energy Savings
Because tankless water heaters supply hot water on demand, you are not spending money heating water to set in a tank just waiting to be used. This eliminates the need to keep between 40 to 60 gallons of water hot at all times and offers a continuous supply of hot water when needed. ( Because the hot water is continuous, it is ideal for filling bath tubs and hot tubs.) Tankless units typically use between 30% to 50% less energy and offer about a $100 dollar savings a year on energy expenditures.
Lifespan
A typical tank unit water heater is supposed to last between 10 and 13 years, while a tankless unit should last around 20 years. If you plan on staying in your home for a long time a tankless water heater can save you money on a replacement unit.
Space Saving
If storage space is a precious commodity a tankless unit takes up much less room than a tank unit. While a traditional water heater is approximately 60” tall by 24” wide a tankless unit is about the size of a large computer and is mounted on the wall.
While, the features above make a tankless water heater a favorable choice, there are a couple issues you may need to weigh to decide if this is the best option for you.
Cost
While tank units start out around $300-$400 and then can go up to $1000 depending on the unit, tankless heaters start out around $1000. Where you will recoup the difference over time in energy savings, initially the cost is higher for a tankless unit.
Limited Output
Standard tank units will store 40-60 gallons of hot water at a time, therefore you will likely not run out of hot water. Tankless heaters have a throughout limit. If you have a large family, showering, washing dishes and doing laundry at the same time, your tankless unit may not provide enough hot water to complete all of these tasks simultaneously. This issue can be avoided by not using multiple water sources at one time or by purchasing a larger tankless unit. Larger units however, are more expensive.
Hopefully, this blog has provided you with some basic information on the benefits and features of tankless hot water heaters. If you are considering this option for your home, please give Horne Heating and Air Conditioning a call at (704) 321-4173 or visit www.hornehvac.com. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and to provide you with additional information on our high quality tankless water heaters.
