Traditional water heaters store and heat water in a tank. Tankless or on-demand water heaters don’t. Instead, they heat water as you request it, such as from a faucet or shower. Let’s explore why tankless water heaters are among the hottest trends in home improvement.
Essentially Limitless Hot Water Supply
A fundamental downside to a traditional water heater is the limited hot water supply. A 40-gallon tank may be enough for your household on most days. If you experience high demand, such as during the holidays, you can run out. At that point, there’s no more hot water. You have to wait for the system to reheat the supply. How long that takes depends on the system’s recovery rate. It can be particularly slow, for instance, with electric tank water heaters.
This isn’t an issue with tankless systems because they heat water on demand. You can certainly exceed your flow rate and experience low water pressure, but you won’t run out. It’s also easier to work around the excess demand. You could, for instance, limit usage to faucets, toilets, and showers and not use the washing machine and dishwasher.
Reduced Household Carbon Footprint
There is a wide range of power and fuel options for tankless water heaters. Electric units are often an efficient option for smaller households with relatively low hot water demands. Fuel-burning systems are more efficient for average and large households. Natural gas units are the preferred option. Systems that burn liquid propane and fuel oil are available for homes without natural gas access. Whichever style you choose, it will use a lot less energy than a comparable tank system. That’s because tank systems have to consume energy not only to achieve a temperature but maintain it.
Lower Energy Costs
Less electricity and fuel consumption also mean lower operating costs. Consider that the Department of Energy estimates that water heating represents 18% of the average household’s energy consumption. How much you’ll save depends on two factors: how much hot water you use and how efficient your system is. For typical homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water a day, you can expect reduced energy consumption of 24%-34%. The Uniform Energy Factor (UEF) is the other consideration. The industry uses UEF to rate the efficiency of all water heaters. The higher that number, the less fuel and/or electricity the system will use.
Condensing and Non-Condensing Technologies
Traditional fuel-burning water heaters lose heat through their ventilation systems. The industry now refers to this style as mid-efficiency or non-condensing water heaters. The modern alternative is the high-efficiency or condensing water heater. These models have a second heat exchanger to help avoid heat loss through the exhaust. Condensing models have much higher UEF ratings than their non-condensing counterparts. This is not a feature limited to tank water heaters. There are many condensing tankless water heaters on the market as well.
Longer Lifespan
You can install a tankless system knowing you won’t have to worry about replacing it for a long time. The average tank water heater lasts about 10 years. That means that many models fail a lot sooner than that. The average lifespan of a tankless system is 15-20 years. It’s also not unheard of for these systems to last 25 years or more with routine maintenance and scale prevention.
Warranty Coverage
Tankless water heater warranties reflect this longer expected lifespan. They also reflect that tankless systems have fewer components that can go bad. The warranties are longer and more robust. The typical warranty for a tank water heater is good for six years. Tankless system warranties usually provide coverage for 12 years. Consumers have more options to extend and expand that coverage. There are even systems on the market that come with 25-year warranties.
Total Cost of Ownership
Tankless water heaters generally cost more. Yet, they often deliver a lower total cost over the life of the equipment. This is due to many of the factors discussed thus far, including reduced operating costs and longer lifespan.
Safer Operation
On-demand water heaters are generally safer as well. There’s no tank or pressure to build up in it. Tank water heater explosions are rare nowadays, but there’s no chance with a tankless system. There’s also a big difference when it comes to leaks. A typical tank water heater can dump 50 gallons of water onto your floor in no time at all. That can cause substantial water damage. Tankless systems can leak, but those usually amount to drips.
Smaller Installation Footprint
Tank water heaters often require a dedicated closet. Tankless systems don’t. They only require a small area on a wall. You can install them practically anywhere in a home, including in the attic. Garage installations are an option and take up no valuable storage space. You even have the option of an outdoor installation, which isn’t practical with a tank system.
Recirculating Pump
There have been some downsides to tankless systems over the years. These include long hot water delays, the cold-water sandwich effect, and the challenge of installing them in larger homes. Modern system design has largely eliminated these problems. One reason is that modern systems often come with a recirculating pump. These pumps help reduce water waste and ensure immediate hot water from your fixtures.
Multi-Unit Configurations
For big homes, tankless systems are much better suited to multi-unit setups. This allows you to break the home up into water-heating zones and even have individual units for showers. It also makes it easier to provide hot water to remote sites, such as a hot tub. Multi-unit configurations cost more up front but can save considerable money over the life of the system.
Smart Features
Many modern tankless water heaters are smart appliances. That means they have Wi-Fi capabilities and can connect via your home network and the internet. You can receive alerts and notifications through your phone. You can also monitor these systems remotely.
Rebates and Tax Credits
Another consideration is that there is a wide range of energy incentives available for tankless water heaters. This can significantly reduce your initial costs and help you recoup the investment sooner. Most incentives available require ENERGY STAR certification. ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) program via which it certifies appliances for energy efficiency through independent testing.
That gives you peace of mind that your water heater is among the most efficient available. You may be eligible for a nonrefundable federal tax credit. There may also be rebates available locally. You can check for those by zip code through the ENERGY STAR website.
Install a Tankless Water Heater in Southern California
We Care Plumbing, Heating, & Air installs and services on-demand water heaters throughout Orange County and the Inland Empire Area. Our company has locations in Murrieta, Orange, San Marcos, and Temecula, CA. Our plumbers clean drains and provide sewer line services, including hydro-jetting.
We specialize in repiping, bathroom remodels, kitchen and bathroom fixtures, water treatment systems, septic systems, sump pumps, and slab plumbing. Our HVAC technicians install and service furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless mini-splits. You can also count on us for duct cleaning, air purifiers, humidity control, and zone control. Contact We Care today to schedule an appointment or set up an in-home consultation for your plumbing.
