A hot water heater is the second highest energy using appliance in a home, using an estimated 30% of a home’s total energy. It should come as no surprise that numerous U. S. households are converting to a tankless water heater to save money. The tankless water heater produces hot water only when a hot water tap is opened. By providing hot water only when it is needed, the standby energy loss of conventional the water heater is eliminated. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® & Drain Services of Rosenberg installs tankless water heaters in Sugar Land. In the following the benefits of tankless water heaters is discussed.
How a Tankless Water Heater Works
When a hot water tap is opened, cold water travels through the water supply pipe into the tankless water heater. An electric tankless water heater uses an electric element to heat the water, while a gas-fired tankless water heater uses a gas burner to heat the water. Gas models will produce a higher flow rate than electric models.
Households using large amounts of hot water may need to install a larger tankless water heater, or two or more tankless water heaters in Sugar Land to meet the home’s hot water demand. In addition, multiple users may require more than a single tankless to provide sufficient hot water. For example, if two household members shower at the same time, hot water may be insufficient. Multiple tankless water heaters or larger models may provide a solution if you are determined to install a tankless system for hot water.
A Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® & Drain Services of Rosenberg plumber will assess your households hot water use and assist you in ensuring you receive sufficient hot water for your household when considering a tankless water heater in Sugar Land. Not every household will benefit from a tankless water heater. For example, homes with a private spring fed well may have water that is too cold for efficient tankless use.
Tankless Water Heaters are options for the following uses:
- Outdoor kitchens
- Pool houses, Jacuzzi or hot tubs
- Remotely located bathrooms
- As a booster for solar water heating systems
- Workshops and garages
- Any location where long pipe runs need to be eliminated
Tankless Water Heaters can be up to 34% more energy efficient than conventional water heaters in homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily. In homes using more than 41 gallons of hot water per day, they can be up to 14% more energy efficient than conventional water heaters.
Installation and Maintenance of Tankless Water Heaters
There are a number of factors to be considered in the installation of tankless water heaters in Sugar Land. These factors include power and/or gas supply, gas pressure and gas ventilation for example. To ensure safety, performance and efficiency the installation of a tankless water heater should only be provided by a qualified, licensed plumber.
Tankless water heaters require maintenance like any other water heater. Routine maintenance will include the cleaning of screens if present, and the yearly removal of hard water deposits, which can adversely affect the performance and efficiency. Homes with water softeners will not require this particular service. Your owner’s manual is the best source for information regarding the particular maintenance your tankless water heaters in Sugar Land will require.
Point of use tankless water heaters is another type of tankless model used in a single location. Applications for point of use tankless hot water heaters, for example, are public restrooms where hot water use is confined to a lavatory, employee lunch rooms, a remote bathroom or location too distant from the main water heater.
Tankless water heaters take up less space than a conventional water heater, freeing the extra space for other uses if desired.
Tankless water heaters last an average of 20 years under normal circumstances and with appropriate maintenance. With the availability of parts this may be extended even further depending upon the model.
While the tankless water heater will cost more initially than a standard grade conventional water heater, it lasts on average twice as long, making its initial cost almost equal to that of the purchase of two standard grade conventional water heaters over 20 years. However, the energy efficiency of gas tankless water heaters in Sugar Land will exceed any conventional water heater.
If you feel the benefits of tankless water heaters may assist in cutting your energy costs, an added benefit of tax credits and rebates can assist in recouping some of the initial investment. The purchase of a gas Energy Star rated tankless model may qualify for tax credits and rebates from utility companies, and/or state and federal incentives.
Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® & Drain Services of Rosenberg repairs and installs tankless water heaters in Sugar Land, Katy, Houston and the surrounding areas. For the professional installation of tankless water heaters in Sugar Land schedule an appointment with our plumbers today.