Tankless Water Heaters Arlington
The water heater is one of the most relied upon appliances in U.S. homes. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most ignored appliances in our homes. Neglect inevitably leads to frequent water heater repair, and/or replacement. Any water heater is going to require some maintenance, and in the following we compare tankless water heaters in Arlington as an alternative to a conventional water heater.
People often think the tankless doesn’t require maintenance because it lacks a tank. However, while a tankless lacks a tank for sediment to build up in, the presence of hard water does result in the accumulation of mineral deposits inside the tankless. As with any other water heater, neglecting routine maintenance will result in diminished performance, increased energy costs, and the need for repair, or water heater replacement.
This obviously leads to the conclusion that some simple care, or calling your Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington to provide it, saves you money.
Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater is simply, a water heater without the tank. In terms of performance, perhaps the largest difference between a tankless and conventional water heater, is the on-demand nature of the tankless. The tankless only provides hot water when needed. The storage of hot water results in standby energy losses. That’s the cost of maintaining a tank of hot water.
Tankless water heaters in Arlington provide hot water on demand. When a hot water tap is opened, the tankless begins its process of heating water. However, it isn’t instantaneous as people often expect. You still have to wait for the existing water in the pipe to vacate. The tankless can’t heat the left over water from its last use, just as a conventional water heater doesn’t. So give it the usual time to push out the cold water in the pipes, before you expect hot water.
The tankless heats water to the set temperature, and when the desired temperature is reached, delivers hot water for a piping hot shower. In the wintertime, when the water temperature is colder, this may take a bit longer, and you may need to turn the thermostat up a bit.
One of the most popular features of the tankless is the fact it won’t run out of hot water. In conventional water heaters’, once the water in the tank is used, a wait is required until another tank is heated, and this typically takes about an hour. You won’t have this inconvenience in tankless water heaters in Arlington. It can continue to produce hot water – on demand, for as long as you need it.
Disadvantages
The disadvantages of a tankless water heater are related to the flow rate. Large households may find a single tankless will not serve their hot water needs, and those with simultaneous multiple usage of hot water may want to consider either multiple tankless water heaters, or sticking to a conventional water heater. For example, if your household is large and uses an 80 gallon conventional water heater, and have two or more persons showering at the same time, you may find a single tankless won’t meet your hot water needs. You can still take advantage of the energy savings by installing multiple tankless water heaters in Arlington, though you may find the cost prohibitive. Otherwise, households that consume large amounts of hot water, or have simultaneous use of hot water, may be served better with a conventional water heater.
There are additional advantages to installing multiple tankless water heaters. First, they are an excellent solution for eliminating long pipe runs, which can take an excessive amount of time to deliver hot water.
The installation of point of use tankless water heaters in Arlington is extremely advantageous on long pipe runs, and not only in the bathroom on the opposite side of your home, but for outdoor kitchens, work and hobby shops, employee restrooms and kitchens and other situations where eliminating standby heat losses save you money. A point of use tankless serves a single location, such as a distant bathroom, or your hobby shop.
According to ENERGY STAR®, a home that uses less than 45 gallons a day of hot water, can save up to 34% on the cost of energy for producing hot water, compared to using a conventional water heater. Households using greater amounts of hot water can’t save as much, although they do still save up to 14%. However, to receive the full benefits and savings, larger households will require multiple tankless water heaters in Arlington. In fact, when multiple installations are provided the savings can be as much as 50%.
The cost of installing a tankless water heater is higher than a conventional water heater, although as a long-term investment, tankless water heaters in Arlington typically have a life span of 20 years and even longer when routine maintenance is provided. Your Benjamin Franklin plumber in Arlington can assist you in the decision of the best water heater for your home.
Installation
A tankless water heater requires special consideration in its installation. Determining and providing the required gas flow, or electrical supply, the exhaust ventilation for a gas tankless, and other considerations should only be provided by a licensed plumber. These factors can affect your family’s safety and a licensed, qualified plumber will assure the proper water heater installation and safety of your home and family.
Making the Choice
There are benefits to both conventional tank style and tankless water heaters in Arlington, and deciding the right one for your home requires the consideration of numerous factors. A Benjamin Franklin Plumber will be glad to assess your hot water needs, and provide detailed information regarding a tankless water heater. Give us a call for an estimate.
Benjamin Franklin’s professional, licensed plumbers are dedicated to your satisfaction. Our plumbers provide a wide range of plumbing services, including the maintenance, repair, and installation of tankless water heaters in Arlington. We serve Arlington, Fort Worth, and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.