Tankless boilers or water heaters are one of the newer tools for creating a more energy efficient home. Unlike standard units, which continuously heat and reheat water so that it is always hot, tankless heaters generate water warm instantly with high-powered gas burners or electric coils. You should know these technical terms of hot water systems for you to be fully aware of the difference between having a tank and going tankless. With this, you can always ask help from the plumbers of Peoria Water Heaters, and they will teach and assist you with the things you need to learn about hot water systems.
Instant heating requires more power, but because the water does not have to be reheated again and again, like in a standard “tank” model, tankless systems use less energy overall. There are pros and cons to tankless hot water systems, and it’s always our goal to provide you with valuable information so you can determine whether going tankless is the right option for you.
Benefits of Tankless
- Eco-Friendly
Most households only use 1 to 3 hours of hot water per day. With a tank water heater, the burner turns on and off all day to keep the water hot and ready for you. In comparison, tankless water heaters are an on-demand system. It will only turn on and use gas when you are running hot water. Once you turn the water off, the tankless system stops heating the water. Your tankless will likely be off for 21 to 23 hours per day, resulting in less gas usage, which is better for the environment.
- Unlimited Supply of Hot Water
Are you tired of running out of hot water with your traditional tank? Well, with tankless, you won’t have to worry because you won’t be limited to a set number of gallons. Tankless water heaters are designed to produce an endless amount of hot water.
- Longevity
The average life of a tank water heater is 8 to 12 years, depending on the brand. Most new tankless water heaters come with a warranty that ranges from 12 to 25 years! When it’s time for a tankless replacement, you won’t have to worry about dumping a large tank in the landfills.
- Space Savings
Tankless boilers are much smaller than tank water heaters, so you will likely free up some space when you make the switch. In most cases, tankless water heaters are installed in the exact location as the existing tank, but in some cases, the new tankless system can be relocated to a different area, even outside, freeing up additional space inside your home.
Things to Consider Before Making the Switch
- Compatibility
Tankless water heaters are not suitable for every home. You must have a qualified tankless water heater professional visit your home for an on-site assessment to see if tankless is a good fit for your home.
- Cost
Tankless systems can easily cost 2 to 3 times the price of a regular tank. Also, there’s a bit of necessary retrofitting. This may include replacement of exhaust piping, possible installation of a new gas line, and installation of a discharge line.
- Timing
Tankless water heaters require more manpower and longer installation times. For a proper installation, you can expect 1 to 2 technicians to be at your property for about 5 to 10 hours, meaning extended prep time. If you have an emergency and need your water heater replaced the same day, tankless may not be a good fit. However, we can typically install a tankless system with 24 to 48 hours’ notice.
- Rebates
Many local utility providers offer rebates for switching to environmentally friendly tankless water heaters.