The Benefits of Switching to a Tankless Water Heater | Fort Worth, TX
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One of the most valuable upgrades you can make to your Fort Worth, TX home is to swap your old water heater for a tankless water heater. These high-efficiency models are powerful enough to heat water on demand by heating it as it flows through the device. This ability means that your water heater no longer needs to keep a full tank of water heated and ready to use.
How a Tankless Water Heater Works
Basically, when water comes into the tankless system through its inlet pipe, this movement is detected by the flow sensor. This is what activates the device.
It has a closed loop line made of copper, for optimal thermal conductivity. The water circulates in this loop, and is heated by the high-power electrical heating elements contained inside.
A thermostat is activated when the water in the loop is the designated temperature. This opens the closed loop, so the water can travel to the tap that requires hot water.
Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
The professionals at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing of Fort Worth, TX can help you understand the details you need to know about tankless water heaters and how they can benefit your family, specifically. Among the many advantages of having your traditional water heater replaced by a tankless system are:
Lower Utility Bills
No matter how much money you make, you don’t want to spend it on high utility bills, especially if it is completely avoidable. To significantly lower your utility usage in Fort Worth, TX, you might want to consider making the switch to a tankless system.
Tankless units use much less energy than traditional water heaters. Lowering your energy usage is automatically going to lower your utility charges. According to Energy Star, the average household stands to save hundreds of dollars each year after simply upgrading to a tankless water heater.
More Energy Efficiency
A traditional water heater, by design, keeps a tank of water hot continuously, waiting for you to need it. This means that you are continually using energy, whether you are using hot water or not.
If you could get the same results without wasting valuable resources, you’d give it a try, wouldn’t you? Well, you could reduce your energy consumption anywhere from 24 to 50 percent, compared to classic water heater design.
Tankless systems give you the chance to help the environment without having to sacrifice anything. Environmental friendliness begins right here, in your home.
An Endless Supply of Hot Water
Ever been in the middle of a nice hot shower, only to feel the chill of running out of hot water? Most people have had this happen, and traditional water heater design is the reason.
A water with a tank heats up the amount of water that fits inside, usually between 40 and 60 gallons. Even when you choose a water heater that is supposed to accommodate your family size and average water usage, there will still be times when it simply runs out quicker than it can heat more up.
With a tankless water heater, there is no set limit on how much hot water you can have. When you need hot water, as much as you need is ready for you.
More Longevity than Traditional Water Heaters
It’s just a fact that water and metal don’t exactly mix well. Because classic water heaters have to hold water in a tank for long periods of time, they can break down in several ways.
Since the tanks are traditionally made of cast iron, they are prone to rust and deteriorate, just like other metals. A simple little patch of rust can, over time, become a hole where the water can rush out. If this happens, you’re likely to have significant water damage to your flooring, walls, and belongings.
Since tankless units have no tank, you don’t have to worry about problems with structural integrity. Also, since water doesn’t have to stand in the tank, salt doesn’t have the chance to build up, like in classic models.
Tankless units can last from five to ten years more than traditional water heaters, on the average. If you follow a proper maintenance schedule, your tankless system could last you up to 20 years.
Reduced Maintenance
Traditional water heaters have to have regular maintenance on an annual basis, at least. In some areas, it is needed twice a year. Comparatively, tankless models require much less maintenance.
Your maintenance needs with a tankless water heater depend largely on the water quality in your area. With a high quality of water, your tankless unit may not need maintenance for four or five years.
If you have hard water, you will still need annual maintenance. With hard water, minerals can build up near the heating elements. These minerals need to be removed every year.
Space-Saving Design
Let’s face it; there’s never enough room, no matter how big your house is. Classic water heaters have tanks that have to hold up to 60 gallons of hot water. These clunky giants are typically around five feet tall and two feet wide, and take up a chunk of valuable space.
The typical tankless system takes up a lot less space. Measuring around 28 inches tall, they are only about 20 inches wide and a wall-hugging 10 inches deep. It has a much more modern look, and leaves you a large open space to leave blank or use as you wish.
With the technology of the tankless water heater in its early stages, it is safe to say that it will only become more advanced and efficient. As the technology changes, there are bound to be even more benefits for homeowners who make the jump to tankless. When it is time for you to switch to tankless technology, it is important to hire a qualified plumber for the job.
For more information about switching to a tankless water heater, contact Benjamin Franklin Plumbing in Fort Worth, TX.