The water heater has a major effect on the amount of energy that a house uses and its overall comfort. Conventional tank water heaters waste energy when they go into standby mode. Their limited capacity and recovery time can also make it difficult for them to supply enough hot water. As an alternative, tankless water heaters provide continuous access to hot water by reducing standby losses. With this on-demand technology, it becomes easier to manage a home’s energy consumption while also supplying enough hot water.
1. Space-Saving Design
If you’re limited on space and want a more energy-efficient water heater, a tankless water heater is a great option. They also work well in large homes with multiple occupants who have varying temperature preferences. It’s very common to find them in flats, townhomes, and other tiny dwellings. Many homeowners choose to install tankless units in a bathroom, laundry room, utility closet, basement, crawl space, or garage.
2. Endless Hot Water
Properly sized tankless water heaters heat water on demand, eliminating the need to constantly refill the tank. This means you can always have access to hot water, unlike typical tank water heaters. This makes it easy to do things like wash dishes, do laundry, and take showers. It’s also of the utmost advantage in homes that have fluctuating hot water demands.
3. Longer Lifespan
The on-demand heating process of tankless hot water heaters usually results in a longer lifetime compared to those with tanks. This is because the conventional tank heater’s incessant heating and storing of water causes the tank and its parts to wear out faster. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, only heat water when you need it, which reduces operating stress and corrosion risk.
4. Lower Energy Bills
Improving your home’s water heating efficiency is crucial to lowering your energy bills. This is especially applicable if your home’s heating system uses the water heater to produce heat. Hydronic and radiant heating systems are two examples of HVAC systems that use water heaters to generate heat. With a tankless water heater, the unit will use less energy to meet your heating demands. This all-encompassing method may lower utility costs and encourage a greener, more cost-effective choice for heating homes and water.
5. Less Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on water heaters is essential for maximizing their efficiency. However, the maintenance required for tankless systems is usually less than that of conventional tanks. Tank water heaters need periodic maintenance, such as sediment emptying, tank inspections, and anode rod checks. Tankless units usually only need periodic descaling to remove mineral buildup.
6. Smaller Carbon Footprint
Tank water heaters tend to leave a larger carbon footprint because of the energy they use and the heat they lose when not in use. Tankless water heaters, on the contrary, reduce energy waste by heating water on demand, creating a reduced carbon impact. This makes them a better option for households that care about sustainability and protecting the environment.
7. Reduced Risk of Leaks
Most water heater leaks occur as a result of corrosion, faulty pressure valves, or sediment buildup. However, a tankless system is much less likely to encounter these issues. This is because a tankless unit doesn’t have as many parts, nor does it have a large storage tank. As a result, there are fewer spots to leak. Plus, during regular maintenance, experts normally take a number of preventative steps to keep leaks to a minimum. This includes regularly flushing the system to prevent sediment buildup, checking and maintaining pressure valves, and performing thorough inspections for early leak detection.
8. Government Incentives
Several subsidies and incentives are available to Oregonians who upgrade to tankless water heaters. The goal of these incentives is to encourage energy efficiency and smaller carbon footprints. In addition to lowering the upfront cost of installing a tankless water heater, these incentives promote a greener and more sustainable way of life.
9. Higher Home Value
Not only does installing a tankless water heater make life easier, but it also makes your property more marketable. Many prospective buyers favor homes that have advanced and energy-efficient appliances. The increased value that a tankless unit adds to your home is beneficial even if you don’t want to sell. You can use the increased value to access more equity in the home. This makes it simple to fund other home improvement projects that make the home more efficient and comfortable.
10. Adaptability to Different Fuel Sources
Electricity, propane, and natural gas are popular heating fuel options among Oregon homeowners. Tankless units provide a versatile option that matches a variety of fuel infrastructures, whether it’s connecting to existing natural gas lines or using electricity or propane. With this kind of leeway, homeowners can choose the greenest and most economical choice for their local climate.
11. Reduced Risk of Legionella Bacteria
The warm, stagnant water in old-fashioned tank heaters creates the optimal environment for developing legionella. The bacteria can infect storage tanks and cause major health problems for those who inhale, drink, or bathe in the water. Some of the symptoms of Legionnaires’ disease are a high fever, chills, cough, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. Fortunately, the absence of stagnant water in tankless systems reduces this danger. In a tankless system, the water evaporates rapidly due to on-demand heating, reducing the likelihood of bacterial development.
12. Quiet Operation
Taking noise factors into account is an important part of making the switch to a tankless water heater. During heating cycles and tank refills, traditional tank heaters generally emit a hissing, rumbling, popping, crackling, tapping, or clicking sound. Tankless water heaters are noticeably quieter than traditional water heaters. The silent operation stems from the fact that they heat water only when needed rather than constantly cycling the water.
13. Integration With Smart Technologies
Tankless water heaters integrate with various forms of smart technology to improve home comfort, convenience, and energy efficiency. Smart thermostats make it simple to optimize energy consumption with precise temperature control. You can even use applications on your smartphone to monitor and regulate tankless units remotely. This makes it possible to fine-tune the unit’s settings from any location at any time. Some tankless units have smart sensors that tell you whether a leak is likely to happen. If a leak occurs, the sensors will tell you exactly where it’s located.
14. Indoor/Outdoor Installation Options
The versatility of tankless water heaters allows homeowners to choose between installing them inside or outside. This provides homeowners with the ability to install the unit according to their personal taste and the architecture of their property. For colder areas, indoor installations are perfect since they save space and provide shelter from harsh weather. In warmer climates, outdoor installations are more common since they reduce or do away with the requirement for ventilation indoors.
3 Mountains Plumbing is here to help you decide whether it’s worth upgrading to a tankless water heater. We also help Milwaukie residents with all of their electrical needs, including repairs, installations, and maintenance. Give us a call now to schedule a water heater service for your home.
