What is a tankless water heater? Is this green option something you should install in your own home?
With “going green” being all the rage right now, the chances are that you’ve heard of tankless water heaters, but how do you know if this option is right for your home? Will it be able to adequate meet your needs and those of your family? Let’s take a look at what a tankless water heater is and the pros and cons of having one in your home.
By definition, a tankless water heater is a heating unit for water that instantaneously heats the water as it moves through the device. It does not store any water except for what remains in the heat exchange line once you have finished using the device.
The Pros of a Tankless Water Heater
There are many advantages to be enjoyed by having a professional plumber install a tankless water heater in your home. First and foremost, they will supply your home with an endless stream of hot water. Moreover, they will save a tremendous amount of space in your home, and they are extremely energy efficient. Tankless water heaters have the ability to potentially save you several hundred dollars on your water bill each year, and the Federal government is currently offering tax rebates to homeowners who have them installed in their homes.
When cared for properly, tankless water heaters will generally outlive a traditional water heater by 5-10 years.
The Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
As with any great product, there will always be a few potential downsides. The upfront cost that you would pay for a tankless water heater is going to be more than a traditional unit would cost, and the cost of installation and setup must also be taken into account. Secondly, because tankless water heaters run off of electricity, they will not be operations during power outages. Also, they will require a certain amount of annual maintenance, just as a traditional water heater would. Proper care of tankless water heaters is critical, because the cost of replacement parts could potentially be astronomical.
If you have more questions about tankless water heaters and whether or not they would be a viable option for your home, give your local plumber a call. If you live in Jacksonville or North Florida, give Bill Fenwick Plumbers a call today. When it comes to the installation of tankless water heaters, as well as traditional units, they are quite experienced and will be able to assist you in making the right decision for your home.
At Fenwick Home Services, our goal is total customer satisfaction. We take pride in our work and make ourselves readily available for you, emergency or not. Call us for a free quote on any of your home plumbing needs.