Tankless Water Heaters: What You Need To Know

Tankless water heaters can be a great alternative when compared to traditional, tank water heaters. There are many benefits to installing a tankless unit in your Orange County home. In this article, we will break down tankless water heaters, their benefits, and why you might consider installing one when you need to replace that old water heater.

Tankless Heater Efficiency

A tankless water heater provides unlimited hot water on demand. When a hot water tap is opened, cold water runs through the water heater’s heat exchanger and is heated using either natural gas or electricity. Because there is no tank, the efficiency of a tankless water heater far outreaches the efficiency rating of a traditional hot water heater which runs between 40-60%. Tankless systems can have efficiency ratings as high as 90% saving homeowners hundreds of dollars in energy costs.

Longevity

Tankless heaters also have a longer lifespan over the 7-12 span of traditional heaters. Tankless heaters on average can provide 25-30 years especially if they are properly maintained. Maintenance basically requires the system to be flushed out annually to reduce the buildup of mineral deposits.

Size of Tankless Water Heaters

Perhaps the biggest advantage of a tankless system is its reduced size. In smaller homes, apartment buildings, or other multi-family dwellings tankless water heaters can be easily installed in tight spaces such as cabinets or closets and, if needed, can even be hung on the wall. This allows for continuous service even when space is at a premium.

Disadvantages

There are some disadvantages to a tankless system which must be considered when selecting your hot water type. In dwellings that use more than the average flow rate of 2-5 gallons per minute, multiple tankless heaters may need to be installed to keep up with demand. This would occur if several people were showering at the same time or if multiple appliances were being used simultaneously. The proper sizing of a tankless system is important so as to avoid this over-demand on the system. Tankless systems also carry high purchase costs as well as increased installation costs which can multiply significantly if changes in wiring, gas lines, or water lines are needed to install a new system.

Call Us Today!

As you can see, tankless hot water heaters have both advantages and disadvantages. Call us today to discuss all your concerns and questions. We are tankless water heater specialists in Orange County. We can guide you through your water heater options to help you make the best decision!