Should You Switch to a Tankless Water Heater?
Heating water for human use has always been part of our history. Long ago, we did it by starting a fire and heating water in a vessel. Later, it was done on a stove.
It was during the industrial revolution that the first water heaters were created.
These days, we have an even better version than the tanked hot water systems of yesteryear. These are called on-demand water heaters.
Read on to learn all the tankless water heater benefits for your home.
Why leave your home in the hands of a sub-par Plumbing expert? Call CE Plumbing & Heating today at 250-707-8285 and see why we’re the company Kelowna homeowners trust most.
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
A common question people have about an electric tankless water heater is how it works.
It’s actually very simple. When you turn on the hot water tap (or run your dishwasher or washing machine), cold water flows into the tankless water heater from an inlet pipe.
A sensor tells the flame in the heater to ignite. This flame heats the exchangers where the water passes through. The water exits from the hot water outlet pipe and travels to the spot where the hot water is needed.
The tankless water heater has a sensor that will monitor the temperature of the water. The system will modify the flame output in order to keep the temperature to what you set it for.
When you turn off the hot water tap, cold water stops flowing into the tank and the flame goes out. Now the tank remains off until the next time you need hot water.
So now that you know how it works, let’s explore why you might want one.
Tankless Water Heater Benefits
There are a host of tankless water heater benefits. Here are some of them for you to consider.
Constant Supply of Hot Water
One of the biggest perks of a tankless water heater is that you never run out of hot water.
The worst thing is when you go to take a bath or shower and notice that there is no hot water because other members of the family used it all. It can take hours for the water tank to get hot again.
But with an on-demand water heater, you always have hot water when you need it. If you have a large family (or just a few who love steamy showers), a tankless water heater is for you.
Less Maintenance
Most water heater tanks require yearly maintenance. Sometimes, they need to be serviced every 6 months.
Tankless water heaters, however, don’t need regular maintenance. You can expect to have a fully functioning hot water system without a semi-yearly maintenance upkeep. (Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get it checked yearly, so you know you’ll have a working heater for years)
If your home has hard water, then a simple cleaning with a vinegar solution is a good idea. This will remove calcium buildup around the heating element.
Simply use a vinegar solution to flush the unit for one hour. Remove any lingering sediment.
Less Bulky and Seamless Integration
Because there is no tank, this style of water heater takes up a lot less room. You can mount this hot water system to your mechanical room wall even. Many tankless heaters are no bigger than a shoebox!
You’ll be so glad to have all that closet or storage space back that you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the switch sooner.
Also, our plumbers can seamlessly install your tankless water heater in a convenient part of your home. You won’t have to worry about a thing. All you need to know is that you will have hot water whenever you need it.
Increased Safety
Also, an on-demand water heater is safer for families, especially those with young children.
Traditional water heaters can be hot to the touch. In rare cases when these tanks overheat, they can explode!
On the other hand, tankless models contain very little water so overheating and explosion risks are nil.
Traditional tank heaters can also leak. This can cause a lot of damage to your home.
Leaking is much less likely with a tankless system. Plus, if a leak does happen, there would be a lot less water damage.
Energy Efficiency
Tankless water heaters can reduce your energy bills each month.
Using the number of people that reside in your home, you can easily calculate how much water you use in a day. Then, you can compare the cost between your current hot water system and a new tankless heater.
Generally, tankless versions are anywhere from 24-34% more efficient in homes that are using less than 41 gallons of water a day.
In other words, you can save hundreds of dollars a year by switching to a tankless water heater. In fact, the government is offering incentives to persuade homeowners to make the switch.
Government Rebates
The Federal Government is providing to help residents afford energy-efficient products. It’s part of their program to reduce carbon and greenhouse emissions in Canada.
An ENERGY STAR certified tankless condensing water heater is on the list of applicable products. You can get $1,000 back by purchasing a tankless water heater.
So why not do something better for your home, your family, and the environment, especially if can you get a thousand dollars back?
Longer Life
The lifespan on the newest tankless heaters is excellent. On average, you can expect double the life expectancy on these units compared to a traditional tank water heater.
If you plan to be in your current home for years, this is a great investment.
Wi-Fi Compatible
Many of the latest tankless units have digital connectivity. That means that you can adjust the temperature of your water all from your device.
Plus, you can use the app to monitor your family’s usage.
That’s neat, but that’s not all. The app will also tell you important information such as when you need to descale it.
And, if there is ever a problem, the app can relay the details to your plumber. That way, they will know exactly what the issue is.
Get Your on-Demand Water Heater
There you have it. Now you understand how it works, as well as the many tankless water heater benefits. These include a longer lifespan, better energy efficiency, smaller size, government rebates, and endless hot water.
At CE Plumbing & Heating, we’re the plumbing company Kelowna & West Kelowna homeowners trust most. Contact us today for info on prices and with any questions you have.
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