The Allure of Instant Hot Water
Imagine turning on your faucet and getting an instant supply of hot water, no waiting, no running out. That’s the magic of tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters. Their charm lies in their ability to produce hot water as needed without a storage tank. Unlike traditional storage tank water heaters that store and heat water, these heaters heat water on demand, making them extremely energy efficient.
Tankless water heaters use either electricity or gas to heat the water almost immediately as it enters the unit. The result? Continuous hot water supply, reduced energy waste, and space-saving design that adds to their allure. To determine if a tankless water heater is better, many homeowners look at factors such as efficiency, cost, and longevity.
Understanding the Tankless Water Heater Advantage
The effectiveness of tankless water heaters is in their straightforward yet efficient operation. When a hot water tap is opened, the tankless unit works as follows:
- Cold water enters the unit.
- The water flow triggers a sensor, activating the heating mechanism.
- The water is rapidly heated to the desired temperature.
- The hot water is then delivered to the tap or appliance.
The outcome is immediate hot water at your disposal, with all energy directed towards heating the water, not maintaining its temperature in storage.
Tankless water heaters are not universally applicable, however. They are available in two primary variants: electric and gas. The choice between the two is determined by factors such as household size, hot water consumption, and utility availability.
Electric vs. Gas Tankless Water Heaters
Electric tankless water heaters are ideal for smaller households, especially in regions with warmer groundwater temperatures. They are generally less expensive upfront but may have higher operating costs in areas with high electricity rates.
Gas tankless water heaters, on the other hand, serve larger households or areas where gas is a more accessible and affordable energy option. While they have a higher upfront cost, gas tankless water heaters can be more energy-efficient and cost-effective in the long run, particularly in homes with high hot water demand.
Tankless Water Heater Efficiency and Savings
Tankless water heaters display remarkable energy efficiency, providing significant cost savings over traditional storage tank water heaters. They offer energy efficiency improvements ranging from 24% to 34% for households using about 41 gallons per day, and 8% to 14% for homes using up to 85 gallons daily.
This substantial leap in energy efficiency is due to the on-demand heating process, which eliminates the standby heat loss associated with storage tank water heaters. By only heating water when it’s needed, tankless water heaters minimize energy waste and contribute to lower utility bills.
An ENERGY STAR® rating should be a significant factor when purchasing tankless water heaters. ENERGY STAR certified gas tankless water heaters can substantially reduce water heating expenses, contributing to overall energy cost savings for homeowners.
Weighing the Upfront and Long-Term Costs
While tankless water heaters promise long-term savings, understanding their payback period is fundamental. This period ranges from 10 to 25 years, depending on the system and home setup. Electric tankless models generally offer faster payback periods than gas tankless models.
However, in the long run, gas tankless water heaters prove to be more efficient and more cost-effective, especially in homes with high hot water demand. The initial purchase price varies by type, ranging from $500 for electric units to $4,000 for solar-powered units, with whole-home units generally costing between $500 and $2,000.
Professional tankless water heater installation costs hover around $2,800, with costs variable depending on the type of heater and installation complexity. Additional expenses for installation may include permits, new gas lines, dedicated electrical circuits, and removal of old units.
Maintaining the Longevity of Tankless Water Heaters
One of the undeniable advantages of tankless water heaters is their longevity. With an average lifespan of 20 years or longer, they outlast traditional tank water heaters, which typically last 10 to 13 years. However, to ensure their efficient operation over such an extended period, regular maintenance is required at least once a year.
Maintaining a tankless water heater involves regular flushing and cleaning to remove hard-water deposits. This process includes:
- Shutting off the water and power supply to the unit.
- Connecting the heater to a garden hose and flushing the system with a descaling solution.
- Cleaning the unit’s filters and other components as needed.
- Restoring the water and power supply and verifying proper operation.
It’s recommended to perform this maintenance at least once a year, or twice a year in regions with hard water. DD Plumbing and Heating offers specific maintenance programs to make this step easy and completely hassle-free for homeowners.
Sizing a Tankless Water Heater for Your Home
Evaluating your household’s hot water requirements is a crucial step when considering a tankless water heater. These heaters can deliver about two to five gallons of hot water per minute, seen as an unlimited supply for most households. However, this endless supply has some limitations, especially when demand exceeds capacity.
Understanding the flow rate and temperature rise is key to sizing a tankless water heater. The flow rate is the sum of the flow rates of all hot water devices expected to be in use at the same time. The required temperature rise is calculated by subtracting the incoming water temperature from the target output temperature.
If your household has multiple appliances running simultaneously, you might need to consider multiple tankless water heater units or a high-end unit with a high flow rate. Installing a mixing valve can also help regulate temperature fluctuations by mixing hot water with cold from the cold water faucet to achieve a consistent output temperature.
Weighing the Pros and Cons
Opting for a tankless water heater requires thoughtful deliberation. Several factors need to be weighed, including energy savings, the expected duration of stay in the current home, and the current state of the existing water heater.
Factors such as payback period, climate, and current water heater setup can influence the overall worth of a tankless water heater. For instance, in colder climates, tankless water heaters may need more time to heat water due to colder groundwater, which can impact the efficiency and performance of the system.
Apart from financial and technical factors, personal preferences and priorities also play a role in the decision-making process. For energy-conscious homeowners, the higher energy efficiency of tankless water heaters can be an attractive feature. For those prioritizing convenience, the continuous supply of hot water that a tankless water heater offers might be a deciding factor.
Choosing Between Tankless and Traditional Water Heaters
The decision for a water heating option often narrows down to tankless water heaters versus traditional storage tank water heaters. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
While tankless water heaters offer on-demand hot water and energy efficiency, they come with higher upfront costs compared to their storage tank counterparts. On the other hand, storage tank water heaters, also known as traditional water heaters, are less expensive upfront and have simpler installation processes, but they can be more costly to run in the long term due to standby heat loss.
Transitioning to a tankless water heater can result in substantial savings in the long run. Homes using less than 41 gallons of hot water daily can achieve 24 to 34 percent more energy efficiency with tankless water heaters. Even for homes with high water usage, up to 85 gallons per day, tankless water heaters can offer up to 14% energy efficiency savings.
However, while they offer energy savings, the higher upfront costs and installation expenses can result in a long payback period, ranging from 12 to 27 years.
Conclusion: Is a Tankless Water Heater Worth It?
Tankless water heaters are known for their longevity, with proper maintenance, they can last up to 20 years or longer. A tankless water heater can be seen as a good investment when energy conservation is a primary concern, offering benefits such as:
- Continuous hot water supply
- Improved energy efficiency
- Space-saving design
- Long-term cost savings
Determining if a tankless water heater is right for you involves considering several factors, such as energy savings, expected duration of stay in your current home, and the current state of your existing water heater.
For all your tankless water heater requirements, DD Plumbing and Heating is at your service. Contact us today to learn more about tankless water heaters and if they might be the right fit for you and your home.
