When you invest in a new appliance for your home, one of the first things you’re likely to ask yourself is how much energy it uses. No homeowner likes spending their hard-earned money on excessive energy bills to power appliances that are energy hoarders. When it comes to tankless water heaters versus tank-based models, we’re going to dive into detail about how much energy it’s likely to use. That way, you can make a better-informed decision about whether or not it’s the right investment for your home.
How Do They Operate?
To understand how much energy a tankless water heater is going to consume, it’s a good idea to understand how it operates. Most people are familiar with how a tank-style water heater operates. It uses a storage tank to hold water that it continually heats to maintain it at the temperature that you have set on its thermostat.
A tankless water heater operates much differently. It has no storage tank for water. Rather, it simply connects to your hot water line and will heat up water as it flows through your line. Instead of having to continually heat up water until you use it, a tankless water heater will only heat up the water that you’re currently using. There’s no doubt that a tankless water heater is much more energy-efficient than a traditional tank-style water heater.
Estimated Operational Energy Savings
The U.S. Department of Energy, known as the DOE for short, alongside ENERGY STAR, has tested the overall operating efficiency of tankless water heaters and compared them to their tanked predecessors. What they found is that tankless water heaters can be between 24% and 34% more efficient than traditional tank water heaters, depending on the specific size and efficiency of each water heater. It goes without saying that homeowners can work to reduce their water heater bills by between 24% and 34% a year when they upgrade to a tankless water heater.
Lifespan and Maintenance Needs
A new tankless water heater will have a lifespan of around 15 to 20 years. To put this into comparison, a traditional tank water heater has a lifespan of around eight to 12 years. Both units need to receive regular maintenance service from a professional at least once a year. A pro will help remove excess sediment buildup and inspect all the system’s components to ensure that they’re working properly. When it comes to a tankless water heater, you also need to clean out its filter every six to eight weeks in order to ensure optimal water flow throughout your unit.
Other Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
There’s no doubt that the high energy efficiency of tankless water heaters makes them an ideal choice for most homeowners. However, their energy efficiency is just the start of why you should purchase one for your house. These units have a very compact space-saving design that allows you to mount them easily up on a wall so that they’re out of your way.
They can run on electricity, natural gas, and even propane depending on the specific fuels available in your area. One really great advantage of tankless water heaters is that they can make you eligible to receive a tax incentive under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. Most homeowners can claim up to $600 on their federal taxes when they invest in one of these systems. You may even find that there are local and state tax incentives you can also take advantage of.
One of the most desirable benefits of a tankless water heater that most homeowners can’t resist is that it provides you with an endless amount of hot water. You never have to worry about having a cold shower if you follow another member of your household like you would if you had a tank water heater. As long as your water heater has an adequate supply of fuel, you can have virtually endless amounts of hot water for all of your needs. Additionally, tankless water heaters tend to offer more precise temperature control than their tanked counterparts. This can mean a more pleasing experience for you.
Reliable Tankless Water Heater Installation Service
Frontline Plumbing offers reliable tankless water heater installation service to the Henderson, NV community. We can also assist with all of your tank and tankless water heater inspection, replacement, and repair needs. Simply call our office to schedule an appointment with one of our highly experienced residential plumbing services professionals today.
