MA Lic # 32558
Menu
Menu
Menu
As a Massachusetts plumber, answering customer’s questions about water heaters, showerheads, pipes, clogged drains, and more is just part of another day at the office. One of the questions a lot of homeowners and businesses ask around here is about these tankless water heaters. What are they? How do they work? A lot of people have heard that they are expensive to install, but that they save a lot of money over time. Sometimes, there is discussion about them making it less likely for pipes to freeze in some of the frigid New England winters we face up here. Hopefully, this brief article will help provide answers to some of those common questions about tankless water heater systems.
Tankless water heaters are a device installed along the plumbing of your home that allow water to pass through them, heating water to a temperature preset on the digital controls. There are both gas tankless water heaters and electric water heaters, although both models require electric in order to control the temperature. Traditional water heaters have a large water tank in which water is stored and heated continually. The tankless water heater only heats water on demand, which makes it more energy efficient than traditional models.
Traditional water heaters have a water tank that typically stores between 20 and 80 gallons of water. These units are usually stored within the basement, attic, or a closet, so they are out of the way. Meanwhile, tankless water heaters use less space, because they do not have a large tank to store. As the tankless water heaters heat water on demand only, they tend to be more economical. In fact, modern tankless water heater systems have been shown to save between 30 and 40 percent when compared to traditional water heaters.
The tankless water heater is a premium home product. Because of its convenience, taking up less space, and improved energy efficiency, it is more expensive than other water heaters. On average, the tankless models run about two and a half times as much as traditional water heaters. That additional cost includes the price for installation, which requires a plumber who is familiar with the technology, venting as well as gas line sizing for the unit, and the cost of production for the water heater itself. Aside from offsetting the cost through the additional square footage available in your home and lower operating cost, a tankless water heater installation may make you eligible for federal, state, or local tax breaks.
The tankless water heater requires enough air flow to be both functional and safe. In most cases, it can be installed where traditional water heaters were installed within the building including the garage, basement, attic, or utility room. The tankless water heater can be installed on an outside room as well as other locations where a traditional water heater may not have fit. The electronic control module can be place in any room in the house. Tankless water heaters typically cannot be installed in RVs.
Thus far, tests have shown that an electric tankless water heater will save between 30 and 40 percentTankless Water Heater Installation | York Plumbing & Drains when compared to a traditional electric water heater. When compared to traditional gas water heaters, the tankless systems have been measured to save about 20 to 30 percent. There are many different factors that go into this, however, so there is no guarantee of your actual savings amount.
The costs of owning a tankless water heater depend heavily on the usage of the system. More of the energy used to heat the water is directly transferred to the water than with traditional water heaters. There is no standing pilot light, the system ignites only when hot water is called for. Even with an electric water heater, water is consistently being heated through the heating elements, which means more energy loss. With a tankless system, these continual costs do not exist.
While it is possible for virtually any project to be a do-it-yourself project, it is highly recommended that a licensed professional plumber be hired to install a tankless water hear. Installation of a tankless water heater involved carbon monoxide, natural gas, and a pressure controlled holding tank. If the proper steps are not followed, major damage or injury could result. A experienced professional will know the proper steps and safety precautions to necessary to protect the building, equipment, and people.
While the tankless systems do not have a storage tank like traditional water heaters, there are still different sizes, which are adequate for supply hot water to different size households and commercial buildings. Plumbing contractors can help you make the right decisions based on your particular needs. Some places may only need hot water supplied to a single sink, or a bathroom or kitchen while others will be for heating the water to an entire house or condo. Flor rate is measured in gallons per a minute and tankless hot water heaters can supply varying temperatures based on the total flow rate of gallons being demanded at the same time.
Currently, there are no models on the market that can be converted from LP gas to natural gas or from natural gas to liquid propane. Also, a gas water heater cannot be converted to an electric water heater or vice-versa.
If you are considering selecting a tankless water heater installation over a traditional water heater either in new construction or as a replacement water heater, it is best to discuss your options with your plumbing contractor. Knowing what your needs are and what the limits of the technology are will help you to make the best decision for you. For help with your tankless water heater install or repairs:
Sign up to get the latest news releases and more …
York Plumbing and Drains
18 Emerald Road
Nahant, MA 01908
Phone: (781) 521-8164