When it comes to household repairs and renovations, most homeowners understand the value of upgrading to more modern, energy-efficient alternatives for their home appliances and systems. One of the most perplexing, yet extremely important of these types of home renovations includes your choice for a hot water heater. For both monetary value and quality performance, the best bet going in hot water heater systems is the on-demand tankless water heater, something which we at Biard & Crockett are well versed at installing. So how exactly does a tankless hot water heater save you money? Let’s explore these facts together.
The Lowdown on Tankless Water Heaters
Unlike the traditional water heaters that store water and heat it gradually, tankless water heaters produce hot water on demand, meaning that water is instantly heated and discharged to where it is needed. As the name suggests, these heaters are literally tankless – water is immediately heated by either an electric or gas burner and dispatched, not sitting in a tank like older storage water heater systems. Therefore, there are many benefits to tankless water heaters when compared to storage water heaters:
- Hot water is produced on the spot, as needed.
- You don’t have to wait for hot water to collect in the tanks of water heaters. With tankless, hot water is delivered immediately.
- Tankless water heaters have a longer lifespan than storage water heaters.
- Tankless systems are energy-efficient in many ways, and are estimated to consume 30% less energy than storage tank water heaters.
What it comes down to is that tankless water heaters will heat your water most efficiently. This is extremely important when it comes to household chores and activities, such as showers, laundry, running the dishwasher, etc. With storage heaters, water is heated and left to sit until needed, meaning energy can, and usually is, wasted. This also spikes your energy bills needlessly.
How Energy-Efficient are Tankless Water Heaters?
Tankless water heaters are considered to be the most energy-efficient of modern water heater systems. Per minute, tankless water heaters tend to heat 2-5 gallons of water. They are designed to simply produce hot water on demand and deliver it to where it is needed in your home, whether it be the shower, the sink, the dishwasher, or the hot tub, instantly. Due to this design feature, water is not stored in water tanks and heated over time, like in other water heaters, so needless energy is not expelled for water that is heated in advance. Only the energy needed to heat the required water is spent, meaning less water and standby heat is wasted, and less energy is expelled, saving you money in the process.
Energy Star estimates that the average American family can save at least $100 a year by switching to an energy-efficient tankless water heater.
Do Energy-Efficient Appliances Really Help You Save?
When you consider purchasing a tankless hot water system, the first thought you may have is the price. But while tankless systems are on the expensive side, they have been proven to have a lifespan of 5-10 years longer than the storage type, lasting about 15-20 years. And while the initial cost may be on the high end, the cost of maintenance and operation is lower than the traditional storage water heater, so it doesn’t take long for it to pay for itself, as your energy bills will be substantially lowered thanks to the efficiency of tankless systems.
Other Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Tankless Water Heater
Installing a tankless water heater allows you to have on demand hot water quickly and efficiently. Whether you have a family or live alone, odds are a tankless water heater will help you save money. Many modern tankless water heater brands feature smart technology that regulates the amount of energy expelled when in use.
It is important to consider your household needs, as well as your budget. With those factors considered, shopping for a tankless water heater will be much easier. Always make sure to consult the experts, like us at Biard & Crockett, as we are always happy to help you consider all the options out there.
In terms of design, on-demand water systems are also more sleek and compact, affixing right to your wall like a small cabinet. And while they may be expensive to purchase initially, you will end up saving money on your utility bills, as with many energy-efficient appliances, so it will end up paying for itself.
Professional Installation is Key
When it comes to installing the machinery that is responsible for heating the water you use in every aspect of your home, it may be tempting to want to install it yourself, but this is usually a bad idea. On demand water heaters need a dedicated gas line or a new vent line, something that amateurs should not mess with. These lines need to be installed by trusted experts, such as us at Biard & Crockett, who have both an immense amount of experience installing tankless water heaters as well as the best tankless water heaters in the business. We can also perform periodic maintenance check-ups to make sure you get the fullest life-expectancy out of your new tankless water heater, and that it performs as efficiently as possible.
At Biard & Crockett, we have been serving Orange County for over 50 years, and our skilled and experienced technicians will ensure your tankless water heater is installed expertly. Don’t risk installing your tankless water heater on your own or by trusting a subpar technician, protect your investment and rely on the experts at Biard & Crockett. We can help you assess your water heater needs and offer recommendations based on your individual requirements and wants. It is our goal and passion to provide our customers with the very best products and customer service. Give us a call today to find out more information on our line of tankless water heaters.