The water heater is one of the most used appliances in your home. In fact, water heaters are generally overused because they continue to work even when no one is home using hot water. In an effort to reduce water heating costs and enjoy more space in their garage or utility area, many people are switching to tankless water heaters or on-demand water heaters.
Types of Tankless Water Heaters
When you begin your search for a tankless water heater, you will discover that there are two kinds of heaters, as well as two styles. Different factors will determine which heater you will purchase for your home.
- Gas water heater;
- Electric water heater.
You will need to choose between a tankless gas water heater or an electric tankless heater. Your second decision will be if the heater will be used for the entire house or if it will be used as an under sink water heater only.
If you decide on an electric tankless water heater for your home, it is crucial to make sure that you have the right electric hookup available for it to run properly. Many people who purchase the electric version of a tankless water heater have to have special plugs or new breakers installed into their home before using the new heater.
How Does A Tankless Water Heater Work?
Once you have installed a tankless water heater, it stays dormant until a hot water valve is turned on somewhere in the house. At that time, the water heater will pull water through the box, rapidly heating it and releasing the hot water out the other side. Since it is on-demand hot water, you never run out of hot water, even if multiple people are using hot water at the same time.
If you purchased a gas tankless water heater, the gas quickly heats the water and shuts off once the valve is closed. If you have installed an electric tankless water heater, the water is heated by an electrical charge.
The most important thing to remember is to purchase a water heater large enough to accommodate your entire home. Just like your standard water heater, tankless water heaters also have different capacities that they can manage.
Tankless Water Heater Cost
Tankless water heaters range in price based on the size of the unit and the type of unit being purchased.
Gas tankless water heaters can range in price from about $500 to 2,500. The average price for a standard-sized home is $1,000. This cost usually includes the cost of installation, but that is not guaranteed.
Electric tankless water heaters usually fall within the same price range as the gas heaters. However, since most people have to have an electrician come in and prepare their home for the water heater, the price can be slightly higher than a tankless gas heater.
Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons
PROS:
- Tankless water heaters can save you between $50 and $200 a year on your electric bill. These savings can be significantly higher in homes where a lot of hot water is used.
- Tankless water heaters are small devices. This means that all the room your water heater is currently using becomes open space.
- These water heaters are safer for your home. You do not have to worry about the seams splitting on a tankless water heater and flooding your home. You also do not have to worry about the water heater harboring bacteria inside because of the standing water.
- Tankless water heaters do not have to be winterized.
- They have a significantly longer lie span than a tank heater. Electric tankless heaters last about 12-15 years, and gas versions have been shown to last up to 20 years. The average tank heater lasts six years.
CONS:
- Tankless water heaters cost more initially to install than a standard heater. However, over time you will gain this money back in savings on your power bill.
- Water flow can be impacted when slow-slowing occurs. If your showerheads are clogged, or there is too much scale build-up in your pipes, tankless water heaters will stop the water flow until pressure is returned.
Best Tankless Water Heater
All tankless water heater reviews generally give their opinion on which tankless water heater is the best. At this time, it is hard to distinguish which one is the absolute best because each of the major brands has something positive to offer.
The real focus on deciding which brand is best should be which brand is best for you. Do you want gas over electric? Does the company offer the right size to heat enough water for your entire home? Does it have any smart home features? Is it easy to maintain? Will I be required to purchase additional items to make it work? If you are at a loss in these questions, contact the specialists from Wet Plumber. We will help to determine exactly which water heater is right for you.
It is also recommended that you have the tankless water heater professionally installed. Whether it is gas or electric, it is safer to have a professional make the necessary connections to your home so that the device can operate safely.
Installing a tankless water heater into your home has many benefits. It is much smaller than a tank-style water heater, and it is more environmentally friendly. You will love how you always have access to hot water, even when others are using it in the house.
Wet Plumber has extensive experience in the installation of tankless water heaters. Professional plumbers will help you choose the type and size of the heater. You can rely on us and be sure not to overpay.