With over 18 years of experience Alfa Plumbing Services is your number 1 plumber for tankless water heater installation and repairs.
A Tankless Water Heater is the new, modern, and efficient way to have an endless supply of hot water at the house. Thanks to the Energy Star program we have so many options for efficient water heaters on the market. The problem that most families will incur is cost.
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Why Choose A Tankless Water Heater
Do you have a lot of family members? Do you realize how much it costs to keep 50 – 70 gallons of water heated 24/7 for traditional tank water heaters? All are very valid questions helping homeowners choose a tankless water heater system. The upfront cost is more expensive, but in the long run, they will prove to be less expensive.
How much Does A Tankless Water Heater Cost
These babies can cost 3 times as much as a traditional electric hot water heater. They go from $1,000 for an electrical version to $3,000 for the gas version plus installation. So is it worth it? Lets see:
How Much Money Can A Tankless Water Heater Save You Per Year
The D.E.P. estimates that a gas-fired tankless water heater can save you up to $108 a year while the electrical version will save you about $44 a year.
OK lets first talk about the water heater most people have today. Most of these tanks average 40-70 gallons of water that stay heated 24/7. The water heater has your hot water sitting in the tank, waiting to be used. This consumes a great deal of energy during periods of time when it is not in use. That means even if you are not usine the hot water, the hot water heater is turning on every time the heat gets below the temperature setting. This is going on 24/7
Now let’s talk about tankless water heaters. They sit there all day waiting for you to turn on the hot water. As soon as you do, they kick on and heat the water on demand. They only operate while your hot water is on. You can see that tankless water heaters only use energy while you are running hot water. They are efficient and cost-effective like Alfa Plumbing Services Baytown TX.
But Wait More Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
Now we know that tankless water heaters save you money on the electric bill. Let’s talk about what other benefits there are.
These tankless water heaters are a fraction of the size of a traditional water heater. They do not need a huge 50-gallon tank to store hot water. These units are small and can hang on the wall. They do not take up much space at all.
Another great feature that makes these tankless water heaters so popular is endless hot water. Ever take a couple of showers and the next person had to wait untill the water heater could catch up? Then it takes 10 – 15 Minute wait to give the water a chance to heat back up. A tankless water heater offers a continuous supply of hot water on demand.
Choice plumbers, Fulkerson plumbing Baytown TX, and Youngs plumbing Baytown all do Tankless Water Heaters. But I know Alfa Plumbing Services offers the Best Tankless Water Heater. And we can install next day.
But lets first take a look at a article from Angie’s List that discusses the pros and cons
Tankless water heaters save money in the long run, but initial costs are higher than tank models.
Endless hot water, additional storage space, and lower energy bills are just a few reasons homeowners are switching to tankless water heaters.
The U.S. Department of Energy estimates gas-fired tankless heaters save an average of $108 in energy costs per year over their traditional tank counterparts, while electric tankless heaters save $44 per year.
Sound good? Don’t start spending that savings just yet.
Tankless water heaters cost up to three times more than storage heaters — from less than $1,000 for an electric, whole-house model to $3,000 for a gas-powered one, including installation by a qualified plumber.
Also, not all homes are ready to support tankless water heaters. For homeowners with electric-only utilities, their electrical system may needed to be upgraded, which means hiring an electrician
Rewiring your house can easily add as much as $5,000 to the cost of installing a tankless water heater.
tankless water heater on a wall
The first step in shopping for a tankless water heater is deciding between natural gas and electric models. (Photo by Jason Hargraves)
Tankless models save space, offer longer warranties
Many homeowners, however, see benefits of a tankless water heater beyond energy savings.
These heaters also save space with a compact design, last longer and are better for the environment because a rusty tank doesn’t end up in the landfill.
“A lot of people buy them because of the green movement,” says Connie Steele, co-owner of Gulf Coast Tankless Hot Water in Clearwater, Florida.
Tankless water heaters also typically have a longer warranty.
Larry Murdock, a water heater specialist with Caffi Contracting Service in Alexandria, Virginia, says the warranty is usually 15 years for a tankless. Traditional water heaters come with up to a six-year warranty.
“With a tankless, you also won’t have the breakdown issue with water on the floor,” he says.
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4 Common Myths about Tankless Water Heaters
Befor you replace your current water heater, learn four common myths associated with tankless units.
Is a tankless water heater right for you?
Here are some things to consider before making the decision to go tankless:
Demand: Do you want a unit to heat water in one bathroom or the entire house?
Type: Consider the requirements. An electric model will need the proper voltage, amperage and circuit breaker. Gas-fired models need to be vented.
Location: They must be within roughly 50 feet from a power source, and can be mounted on an interior or exterior wall.
Life expectancy: Most last more than 20 years — about twice the lifespan of storage water heaters.
Installation: Hire a highly rated plumber or heating and A/C contractor to install it. Often, the installation is included when you purchase a unit from a dealer.
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How Big Should My Tankless Water Heater Be?
A correctly sized tankless heater offers energy savings and a long-lasting system.
Tankless water heaters: electric or gas?
So you’ve decided to go tankless. Now what?
First, you’re going to need to choose either an electric or natural gas model.
Major differences exist between them even beyond the potential cost of rewiring your house as mentioned earlier.
Electric tankless heaters are 99 percent efficient. However, they don’t qualify for rebates or an Energy Star rating, which requires a product improve energy output 14 percent over older models.
The worst traditional electric heaters are 93 percent efficient.
Tankless water heaters that use natural gas are about 23 percent more efficient than a traditional storage version, which is about 60 percent efficient, according to the Department of Energy.
Most gas-powered tankless water heaters do qualify for a $300 federal tax rebate. Many states offer similar incentives.
Steele started her tankless water heater business in Florida after watching her own electricity bills decline thanks to the switch.
“I’ve been in business almost five years,” she says. “No one has said, ‘I’m not saving any money.'”
Editor’s Note: Angie’s List writer Jason Hargraves contributed to this article, which is an updated version of a story originally published on May 28, 2009.
If you’re looking for a plumber in Baytown Texas, call us. We are the #1 plumber in Baytown Texas!