Plano Plumber Tankless Water Heaters

Plano Plumber Explains Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Plano Tankless Water Heater

The availability of hot water is something we take for granted. We expect to be able to turn on the shower or faucet and have it. Yet one day you turn it on and find the water doesn’t run hot. After calling a plumber you discover that your hot water heater needs replacing.

Now you have a decision to make. Should you purchase the standard conventional storage tank-type heater or one of the newer tank-less hot water heaters? It’s a good idea to consult with your Plano plumber first to determine which type of hot water heater is best for your Texas home or commercial business.

Tankless Water Heater: The Benefits

The newer tank-less heaters, also known as instantaneous or demand water heaters, offer a variety of pros and cons. There are a number of benefits to purchasing one:

• Energy Savings – With a conventional water heater, in order to maintain a certain temperature it heats water non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However with a tank-less water heater, it only heats water when needed and doesn’t store water which provides substantial energy savings.
• Constant Supply of Hot Water – A continuous supply of hot water is provided with a tank-less water heater. The water flow is activated by an electric or gas mechanism.
• Operational Cost Savings – The operation of a tank-less water heater results in a cost savings over time. With the increased efficiency in running one, the electric tank-less water heaters end up costing about 10 to 20% less a year to operate than does a tank-type water heater. With a gas tank-less water heater the savings increases, up to 20 to 40% per year.
• Higher “life expectancy” – Unlike tank-type heaters, tank-less water heaters don’t store water. Therefore, tank-less heaters can handle hard water minerals and sediments. This results in a “life expectancy” average of around 20 years as opposed to between 10 and 15 years for a tank-type water heater.
• More compact – Tank water heaters are large and bulky, thereby requiring a good deal of space. Tank-less heaters, especially the electric ones, are more compact in
  

  Plano Plumber Installs Water Heaters

  size.

The Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

With a tank-less water heaters you also have some cons to this type of unit. They include:

• Limited flow rate – Tank-less water heaters can provide unlimited hot water. However, this is as long as it does not exceed its maximum flow rate, with it being at a desired temperature determined by the capacity of the heater. Gas tank-less models typically have larger capacities than the electric models. Despite whichever model is used, it may not be sufficient to produce enough hot water.
• High up front costs – Whether you choose a gas or electric tank-less unit; the costs are much higher than a standard tank unit (unless you compare it to a high efficiency storage tank system). Installation for these units can run as much as four times higher than a tank-type water heater. With electric models there are other components that may be needed such as additional wiring, multiple electric circuits or heater cable. With gas models there are also other components that may be needed such as upgrading gas pipes and installing a new ventilation system.
• Longer wait time – There is a longer wait time for hot water with this unit because it does not begin to heat the water until the tap is turned on. The flow takes longer to begin than it does with a tank-type heater. This causes some water to be wasted while waiting for it to heat up.

There is a lot to consider when determining if a tank-less water heater would be best. Consulting with a qualified, licensed Plano plumber will help you determine if this type of unit will work for you. You will also gain a better understanding of the work that will be involved with installing one.