If every morning in your Wethersfield, CT, home, there’s a battle over who gets the shower — and the hot water — you may be considering a tankless water heater. These appliances don’t store hot water but rather heat it on demand, so you don’t need to worry about running out, even when you run multiple appliances at once.
As the top plumbers in Wethersfield, CT, many homeowners come to us with questions about these energy-efficient devices. We hope these tankless water heater facts will answer some of those burning questions and help you make a more informed decision.
Tankless Water Heater Facts Wethersfield Homeowners Need to Know
A tankless or on-demand water heater is a good choice for most homes. These fun facts will help you decide if one is right for you.
1. Tankless Water Heaters Mean Unmatched Energy Efficiency
A tankless water heater uses far less energy than a traditional unit, primarily because it only heats water as needed. There’s no need to use energy to keep water hot, which translates to lower bills.
2. Scalding or Burns Are No Longer a Concern
When you have a traditional water heater and turn on the tap, water comes out at a high temperature immediately. If the setting is too high, that water can burn or scald your skin instantly, which is especially worrisome when you have young children.
Because tankless heaters provide instant hot water, not immediate hot water, there’s less chance of this happening. Water needs to run through the heating element and then to the fixtures so the initial flow isn’t burning hot. Combined with safety features like temperature-limiting devices and anti-scald valves, these devices offer greater peace of mind.
3. Tankless Units Help You Reclaim Space
Traditional water heaters take up a great deal of floor space in the basement or a utility room, space that you could put to better use for storage or other purposes.
That’s why one of the tankless water heater facts that most delight Wethersfield homeowners is the absence of a bulky, space-eating tank. The compact size of a wall-mounted unit is ideal for a small home or apartment where every square inch counts.
The small size is also ideal when you have a vacation home, camp, or cabin outside of Wethersfield. As long as the property has access to gas or electricity, you can install a tankless water heater for space-saving efficiency.
4. You’ll Enjoy a Longer Lifespan
Tankless water heaters typically last considerably longer than traditional units. If you take care of it with professional maintenance, a tankless unit can last up to 20 years or longer. This is almost twice as long as the lifespan of a standard water heater.
5. Choosing These Units Helps the Environment
A tankless water heater is a step toward making your Wethersfield, CT, home more eco-friendly. Not only are many units made using recycled materials, but their energy efficiency reduces your carbon footprint. Many units also have environmentally friendly features like smart controls and energy-saving modes, which help reduce your bills and your impact on the Earth.
6. You Have Multiple Fuel Source Options
Tankless water heaters are available in both electric and gas models. While your home’s existing infrastructure might make the decision an obvious one, there are pros and cons to either option. A few tankless water heater facts can influence your choice.
Gas models cost more to install upfront, especially if you need to add gas lines, but cost less to operate over time since gas can heat water faster than electricity.
Electric models are easier and less expensive to install, but local electricity rates can make them more expensive to operate. Heating water with electricity is also a more eco-friendly option; the Natural Resources Defence Council estimates that electric models produce up to 70% less methane gas than a gas water heater.
7. A Tankless Unit Is Quieter
Did you know that a standard water heater can produce noises up to 90 decibels while it reaches the operating temperature? You might also notice loud sounds as the tank refills and maintains the storage temperature for a large volume of water.
Although a tankless water heater isn’t silent, it’s far quieter than a traditional unit. You may want to avoid installing it on a wall that has a living space or bedroom on the other side if you’re sensitive to noise, but you shouldn’t notice any especially disruptive sounds.
8. You Might Qualify for Federal and State Incentives
Upgrading your water heater to a tankless model may not be as expensive as you think. Some homeowners are eligible for federal or state incentives for making the switch to a more energy-efficient system. These may include rebates or tax credits, which can help offset the initial cost, making the investment more affordable.
9. Nothing Is Perfect
No discussion of tankless water heater facts is complete without addressing some of the potential drawbacks of the systems. Most of these issues are easily overcome when you do your homework and keep up with maintenance.
Some of the points to be aware of include:
- Hard water can be a problem, as the mineral buildup will reduce efficiency; a water softener and regular descaling can prevent problems and extend the unit’s lifespan.
- You may need multiple units or a hybrid system to ensure plenty of capacity for a large household or running several appliances simultaneously.
- An incorrectly sized unit or problem in the plumbing system can reduce water pressure, so choosing the right capacity and updating old or damaged plumbing is important.
Let Us Find the Perfect Tankless Water Heater for Your Wethersfield, CT, Home
If these tankless water heater facts inspired you to add one to your Wethersfield, CT, home, contact SM Mechanical Services, LLC, for expert assistance. We’ll guide you through every step to get the perfect system. We’re also available to help with common heating problems, like identifying furnace whistle reasons and fixing them.