Tankless Water Heater Benefits
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
A tankless water heater works by heating the water that flows through it as and when it does so – leaving the storage tank of a standard water heater unnecessary.
When a homeowner with tankless water heater turns on the faucet, cold water travels through a water pipe into the tankless hot water heater. It is immediately heated using gas or electricity, and travels out again to be used by the homeowner right away.
When it comes to comparing the benefits of a tankless water heater vs tank, a standard hot water heater is not so efficient. A standard water heater works by storing the water, heating it and maintaining that temperature until it is needed. The hot water is drawn to the top of the tank ready for use, but it is possible to run out of hot water, and the energy necessary to maintain the heat of the water compared to that of the tankless water heater is vast.
A tankless water heater, vs tank, is therefore vastly more energy efficient.
Will I Get More Hot Water from a Tankless Option?
2-5 gallons per minute is the average heating rate for a tankless water heater. As above, water is heated immediately as it flows through a tankless hot water heater, you therefore effectively have unlimited hot water available.
Comparing a tankless hot water heater vs tank, a standard hot water heater can only provide as much hot water as the tank can contain, before needing to reheat if it gets to the point of running low.
The most common size standard water heater, 50 gallons, can provide enough water for 3-5 people to shower within a single hour. Depending on the size of your family and your schedule, you may or may not run into issues in terms of running out of hot water. If you have similar showering schedules or need to run the dishwasher or washing machine at the same time, this may pose a challenge.
With a tankless water heater you have unlimited hot water to complete all your chores as and when you need to.
What is the Installation Cost for a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless hot water heater will cost more in terms of initial purchase and installation, in fact, the initial could be up to 3 times more.
To purchase a new standard, storage water heater, you’re looking at around $650-$850.
Tankless water heaters come in two varieties – electric and gas-powered. An electric tankless water heater can be purchased for under $1000, while a gas-powered tankless water heater could cost around $3000.
However, despite the initial cost, there are financial benefits to choosing a tankless water heater vs tank water heater. Choosing a tankless water heater means you are very likely to save money on your energy bills going forward. Many families save around $100 annually, but the more water you tend to use the more you are likely to save by making this transition.
A standard hot water heater will last around 10 years, while a tankless hot water heater should last approximately 20 years. This should also be taken into consideration when factoring in the initial cost of purchase and installation.
Contact Homeserve of South Jersey Today!
It is essential that you determine whether your home can support a tankless water heater before you move forward with this purchase. We would be happy to assist with guidance tailored to you and your home.
Homeserve of South Jersey is the professional team you can trust for all your heating, cooling, water heater maintenance, and repair plan needs. Contact Homeserve of South Jersey for a free quote today.
