What is a Tankless Water Heater?

One of the newest forms of energy-saving technology, a tankless water heater is a much smaller version of a conventional water heater. It does not contain a reservoir like conventional ones, thus it provides hot water only when needed and is “down” the rest of the time. It’s available in electric, natural gas and propane models. www.mammothplumbing.com

How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?

Tankless water heaters work similarly to other common appliances. The best example of this is comparing it to a coffee maker. Like coffee machines, cold water is put in and circulates through a heat exchanger, quickly producing hot water. And because it does not have a storage tank it’s never out of hot water, since it produces it on an as-needed basis.

Cost of Replacing a Water Heater

Instantaneous and Unlimited Supply of Water

An advantage of these water heaters is that homeowners have access to an instantaneous and unlimited supply of hot water. Because this is a new technology, technicians are still learning how best to install tankless water heaters since they are working with plumbing designed for conventional water heaters. But when properly installed tankless water heaters are extremely reliable. Gas heaters can manufacture a continuous supply of 2-5 gallons per minute heated within one degree of a preset temperature. As stated earlier, these heaters never run out of water but the flow may be reduced if multiple people are needing hot water at the same time.

Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?

There are several factors to keep in mind when deciding if a tankless water heater is the right choice for your home. These include cost, energy savings and method of installation to name a few. Tankless heaters cost from $1200 for small units to over $3000 for large whole-house units. Installation cost more than since the average plumbing in a house isn’t set up for a tankless design. Since the heater only operates when hot water is needed, it costs less annually to operate than a conventional water heater. Some homeowners have seen their overall energy costs decrease 25% per year after installing tankless water heaters, saving money in the long run. Tax credits and rebates are also available from the federal government and manufacturers with savings up to 30% or more on purchasing and installation.

The type of heater purchased determines the best method of installation. An electric heater is generally easier and cheaper to install and usually put inside. A gas heater will still use electricity and requires a plumber and electrician. It also has venting requirements, but can be installed on the outside of a home.

More Expensive to Postpone Plumbing Repairs

Selecting A Tankless Water Heater

There are many brands on the market such as Bosch, Rheem, Takagi, Rinnai, Noritz, American Standard and AO Smith. All have received positive reviews. AO Smith has been rated for the best gas heaters, Rheem for best budget models, Rinnai for best whole-house units and Bosch for best small-unit models. Whatever a person’s needs, the smart choice is an energy-efficient tankless water heater.

Mammoth Plumbing has been installed hundreds of water heaters for Residential and Commercial applications. No matter the situation, our master plumbers have the experience install correctly and efficently a tankless water heater in your home. Call us today to learn more how you can save money with a tankless water heater for you Katy home.