Is a Tankless Water Heater a Good Option For Your Home?
The installation of tankless water heaters in residences is becoming more and more popular as many people are beginning to see the advantages of tankless water heaters over the more familiar water heaters with a tank. As you know, when you own a water heater with a tank, you have to accommodate a large vessel somewhere in your home that holds and heats 40 to 50 gallons of water, whether hot water is being used or not.
The water in the reservoir tank is stored at a pre-set temperature, and when it cools below that temperature, the water heater reheats the water to the pre-set temperature whether you are using it or not. This causes your home to use more gas or electricity to bring the water back up to temperature.
The advantage of a tankless water heater is that no water is stored, so nothing is being kept hot unless someone is actually calling for hot water by using a faucet. With a tankless water heater, you eliminate the need for storage of a large appliance, and only when you turn on the faucet for hot water does the gas or electric tankless heater fire up. Tankless is more efficient by not wasting energy or money.
St Paul Pipeworks plumbers do not recommend buying a tankless water heater from either a big box store or online because homeowners usually do not know what the correct sizing should be for their homes. When people look online and see reviews saying tankless water heaters do not work, often it is because the tankless heater either was improperly sized or the unit was improperly piped.
A licensed plumber will help you with the correct sizing and install the correct piping so that your heater will work correctly for your home. There are different parts of the country where the cold water is not coming in as cold as it is here in Minnesota, so manufacturers offer three different British Thermal Unit (BTU) sizes of tankless water heaters.
One obvious issue with a tankless water heater is that when you don’t have a storage tank, you have a very small amount of hot water in the pipes being heated at any given time. You have to have a much higher flame or electricity to heat the water as it is traveling through a small coil of pipe inside of the water heater. The coil runs back and forth inside of the unit, and the water is heated as it travels through the coil. For example, a gas water heater with a tank uses approximately 40,000 BTUs when it is running.
A gas tankless water heater in our part of the country, where the water comes in a little colder, needs 200,000 BTUs to heat the water. However, the tankless water heater only uses energy while a faucet is running. Once you turn the faucet off, the heating unit turns off as well. The unit uses less energy overall than a tank water heater. Tankless water heaters tend to be more expensive to purchase and slightly more expensive to install, especially the ones that use gas because they require larger gas pipes or increased gas pressure than water heaters with a tank.
Tankless water heaters last about twice as long as water heaters with a tank. The guarantee on most tank water heaters is six years, and most of those last for about 12 to 14 years. Most tankless water heaters have a 15 to 20-year guarantee on the heat exchanger or equivalent of the tank.
In a tankless water heater, you will have continuous hot water as long as the faucet is turned on. Though not recommended, you could leave that faucet on for a week and still get hot water.
St Paul Pipeworks plumbers recently installed two tankless water heaters in a birthing center, which is a high-volume setting. There are multiple birthing suites that each contain very large soaking tubs and multiple showers. This birthing center kept running out of hot water with their regular tank water heaters. After interviewing birth center employees, St Paul Pipeworks plumbers went in with a technical expert and sized the new tankless water heaters, and installed a system in which they will never run out of hot water. For a family of four, one tankless water heater is large enough to allow the use of three sources of hot water at the same time and never run out of hot water.
If you are interested in installing a new tankless water heater in your home or are looking for a quality plumber in the St. Paul and Minneapolis metro area, give St Paul Pipeworks a call today.
Yours Truly,
Matthew Dettwiler
Social Media Manager
FAQs
Q: What is a tankless water heater, and how does it work?
A: A tankless water heater, also known as an on-demand water heater, is a system that heats water only when it is needed. Unlike traditional water heaters that store and constantly heat a large volume of water, tankless heaters heat the water directly as it flows through the unit. This instantaneous heating process allows for energy efficiency and a continuous supply of hot water.
Q: Are tankless water heaters more energy-efficient than traditional water heaters?
A: Yes, tankless water heaters are generally more energy-efficient than traditional water heaters. Since they don’t constantly heat and store a large volume of water, there is less standby heat loss. Tankless heaters only consume energy when hot water is being used, resulting in reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills over time.
Q: Are tankless water heaters more expensive to install than conventional water heaters?
A: Tankless water heaters generally have a higher upfront cost compared to conventional water heaters. The installation expenses for tankless units can be higher due to factors such as the need for specialized venting, electrical upgrades, or gas line adjustments. Additionally, larger homes or those requiring multiple tankless units may require additional modifications and higher installation costs. However, it’s important to consider the long-term savings and benefits of tankless water heaters, such as energy efficiency and lower utility bills, which can offset the initial installation expenses over time. Ultimately, the cost of installation depends on various factors and should be evaluated based on individual circumstances.
Q: Can a tankless water heater provide enough hot water for my household?
A: Yes, tankless water heaters can provide enough hot water for most households. However, the size and capacity of the unit should be chosen carefully based on the hot water demand of your household. It’s important to consider factors such as the number of bathrooms, appliances, and simultaneous hot water usage to ensure the tankless heater can meet your needs effectively.
Q: Are there any limitations or drawbacks to using a tankless water heater?
A: While tankless water heaters offer numerous advantages, they also have some limitations. One limitation is the flow rate capacity, which determines the amount of hot water the unit can deliver at a time. If multiple hot water outlets are used simultaneously and the flow rate exceeds the heater’s capacity, the water may not reach the desired temperature. Additionally, installation costs for tankless heaters can be higher compared to traditional water heaters.
Q: How long do tankless water heaters typically last, and do they require regular maintenance?
A; Tankless water heaters are known for their durability and longevity. With proper maintenance, they can last up to 20 years or more. Regular maintenance includes flushing the unit to remove mineral deposits and checking for any signs of wear or malfunction. It’s also important to consult the manufacturer’s guidelines and schedule professional maintenance to ensure optimal performance and extend the lifespan of the tankless water heater.
