Water utilities and energy bills are major expenses for homeowners and renters alike, but did you know you can lower both costs with one simple solution? Tankless water heaters are a great way to optimize the efficiency of your home’s utility system, saving time, money, and physical space compared to a traditional water heater.
But how does a tankless water heater work, how does it save money, and how could removing the water tank possibly be beneficial? At WM Buffington, we’ve provided Central Pennsylvania with trusted professional heating, cooling, and plumbing services for over 70 years - from our experience, here’s how you can start saving money right away on your water bill by investing in a tankless water heater.
Tankless water heaters, also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters, provide hot water only as it is needed. They are small wall units that can be installed anywhere in a building but are normally located where the hot water is being used, such as the bathroom, laundry room, or dishwasher.
Tankless heaters are, of course, the opposite of traditional water heaters that feature a water tank storing 30-50 gallons of water. A traditional water heater may keep this water tank heated at all times, ready for when it’s needed next, whereas a tankless water heater heats water as it is required from individuals on the premises.
Tankless water heaters can be compared to traditional water heaters across a few different variables. Traditional water heaters are low-cost but only last 10-15 years, and they technically waste energy by maintaining the water temperature at all times, even when not in use. Furthermore, traditional water heaters can run out of hot water if the demand is higher than what the tank is built for, leading to obvious problems and complications.
Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, are more expensive but also have a lifetime of 20+ years. They are far more energy efficient by only running when hot water is needed, and they also never ‘run out’ of hot water for this same reason! Between water run-time and energy expenses, tankless water heaters will save you money each year; and because of their long operational lifespan, tankless heaters will also save you money with less frequent replacements.
In summary, tankless water heaters offer the following benefits:
Simply put, tankless water heaters work by heating water directly when a hot water faucet is turned on, instead of storing it in a tank. Cold water flows through a pipe into the unit and passes through a heat exchanger; while doing so, a flow sensor detects the water and sends a signal to the control panel to begin the heating process. Either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water, depending on the water heater's power source, and then heated water is simultaneously and seamlessly delivered to the faucet.
Tankless water heaters tend to be more energy-efficient and cost-effective than traditional water heaters - they can be 35–80% more efficient and can reduce utility bills by up to 50% because traditional heaters rely on a continually heated tank of water.
It’s important to note that while gas-fired tankless heaters can have higher flow rates than electric ones, all tankless water heaters will provide hot water at a rate of around 2-4 gallons per minute, whereas traditional tank water heaters can have flow rates of at least 5 gallons per minute or more. This means that depending on the demand of people who need hot water, tankless water heaters may have difficulty keeping up.
Perhaps the biggest downside to owning a tankless water heater, however, is its cost. The initial cost of the unit and installation tends to be higher than when investing in a traditional storage-tank water heater. But as we discussed previously, these higher initial costs tend to offset with water, energy, space, and replacement savings.
As you consider the future of your home or business’s water heating system, please know that WM Buffington was created to provide our community with the fastest and most reliable service, and we have experience with all types of water heaters, including gas, electric, power vent, tankless, and storage water heaters. We have no bias beyond the desire to help our customers with the best possible plumbing solution for their needs. Contact us today with questions or to learn more about our tankless water heaters!
