While a relatively new option for many homeowners, tankless water heaters offer a more energy-efficient alternative to traditional water heaters. To make your upgrade easy, we’ve put together a resource that includes the benefits of a tankless water heater, the most common types, and other features you might consider before having the appliance installed.
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
Also known as on-demand water heaters, tankless water heaters don’t have a large tank in which to store and heat water. Instead, this system heats water instantly as it is pumped through the heater and into your home’s plumbing system. The result? An endless supply of hot water or, more importantly, only as much hot water as you need. That’s the key to a tankless water heater’s energy efficiency; it’s only expending energy when it’s needed.
Is a Tankless Water Heater More Efficient?
While your exact energy savings and operating costs may vary, tankless water heaters are 34% more efficient than storage-type water heaters. The reason is simple; a tankless water heater only expends energy when you’re using hot water. Storage water heaters run on and off all the time to maintain a substantial volume of water at a set temperature, whether you’re using it now, later, or next week!
Related: DIY HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
The Most Common Types of Tankless Water Heaters
Many homeowners choose a gas or electric tankless water heater in Atlanta based on their current energy supply. It’s worth looking into your options, however.
Propane or Gas Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Homes with gas may stick with that fuel type, but it may not substantially defray installation costs. Gas tankless water heaters use a wider pipe than most heating equipment, which allows for the higher volume of gas required for instantaneous heat.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Electric tankless water heaters are less expensive to install and don’t require a dedicated ventilation system like the gas option. Depending on your electric energy rates, electric heaters will cost more to operate per month, although you might avoid rising natural gas prices in the future.
Condensing vs. Non-Condensing Water Heaters
Both condensing and non-condensing models offer substantial energy savings compared to conventional options. Some important distinctions between the two could make one the clear choice. Trust your Assured Comfort technician for helpful insight on which is best for your household.
Condensing
Instead of venting exhaust immediately, condensing heaters extract any remaining heat and use it again to increase the water temperature. This also removes the need for a large flue pipe or exhaust outlet. Condensing water heaters are less expensive to install and are more energy efficient, which makes them the lower-cost option in the long term.
Non-condensing
Non-condensing water heaters rely on heat exchangers to warm water. The exhaust is immediately piped outside through a dedicated flue pipe, usually made of stainless steel. These are usually more expensive to install than condensing options and tend to be slightly less energy efficient.
Professional Insight and Friendly Service with Assured Comfort
When it’s time to install a tankless water heater in your home, count on our expert Atlanta plumbers to help you choose, install, and maintain the right system for your needs. We’ve been helping families stay comfortable and lower energy bills for decades. See what we can do for you! Request an appointment or call 770-464-5745 today!