The Pros And Cons Of Tankless Water Heaters

The Department of Energy (DOE) says that water heating expenses account for anything between 14% and 18% of the average energy bill. Fortunately, you can cut your water heating costs significantly. You can do this by replacing your traditional storage tank water heater with a more energy efficient tankless (on demand) water heater. In fact, water heating costs are typically the second highest utility costs for a typical American household. With that in mind, here is a detailed look at the pros and cons of tankless water heaters:

The Pros Of Demand-Type Water Heaters Include:

Energy Savings

Tankless water heaters only heat water on demand. According to the DOE, they are 8% to 34% more energy efficient than storage tank water heaters. This is mainly because they eliminate standby heat loss. The lower limit applies to homes that use about 86 gallons of hot water per day. Whereas, the upper limit applies to homes that use less than 41 gallons of water hot water every day. On average, these savings can translate to about $100 per year, the DOE explains.

Space Savings

On demand water heaters are generally significantly smaller than traditional water heaters. For this reason, they offer more options in terms of installation locations. For instance, you can hang your demand-type heater on a wall indoors or outdoors. However, if you install your tankless system outdoors, you should use a freeze protection solenoid valve. This is especially true if you live in a cold region.

Longevity

A tankless water heater typically lasts twice to thrice as long as a storage tank water heater. More specifically, the latter has a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years. On demand water heaters have a life expectancy of over 20 years, according to the DOE.

Energy-Efficiency Rebates

The federal government and some local municipal governments offer energy efficiency rebates and other incentives to homeowners who install Energy Star qualified tankless water systems in their homes. These rebates and incentives can help you recoup some of your installation costs.

The Cons Of Tankless Water Heaters Include:

High Installation Costs

According to various surveys, the cost of installing a new demand-type water heaters ranges from $800 to $1,150, exclusive of the contractor's fee. However, it is best to contact a reputable plumber because installation costs and fees vary from one to another.

Low Flow Rate

On demand water heaters typically deliver hot water at a low flow rate of between two to five gallons per minute. This can be a problem if you have multiple simultaneous demands for hot water, which is normally the case in large households.

Additional Installations

To solve the problem of low flow rate and meet your hot water demands, you can install additional demand-type heaters and connect them in parallel. However, this would mean spending more money. Regardless, because these systems are so incredibly energy efficient, there is a great return on  investment. Also, they last twice as long as a conventional water heater which also adds to their appeal.

 

Tankless Water Heater Installation Bethlehem PA

There is an increasing number of homeowners across America who are replacing their conventional hot water systems with on demand water heaters. This is because the latter offer a myriad of benefits including energy savings, access to government-sponsored energy-efficiency rebates, space savings, and generally, they last longer than the former. However, they also have some cons including relatively high initial installation costs, low flow rate, and additional installations depending on a user's needs. All in all, the pros of installing a tankless water heater far outweigh the cons. If you are interested in making your home more energy efficient, a tankless water heater may be a good option. Contact Robinson Plumbing today to discuss your options. Our certified plumbers will explain the benefits of a tankless water heater. They will be able to asses your situation to see if this is what works best for your water heating needs. Both tankless water heating systems and conventional water heaters have their advantages and so this is why it is always smart to consult with an expert. Robinson Plumbing offers many different affordable, friendly, and trusted plumbing services. For a list of our plumbing services, click here. We service Allentown PA 18101, Bethlehem PA 18015, Catasauqua PA 18032, Center Valley PA 18034, Coplay PA 18037, East Texas PA 18046, Emmaus PA 18049, Lehigh Valley PA 18001, Northampton PA 18067, Whitehall PA 18052, and surrounding areas in the Lehigh Valley. Call us today at (610) 351-9889 or contact us for any questions that you might have!

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