Switching from a Tank to Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity. If you’re installing a water heater for the first time or your current unit is near the end of its lifespan, you may be wondering whether a tankless model might be the better choice for you.
What’s the Difference Between Tank and Tankless?
When you begin to examine tank vs tankless water heaters, you’ll find that both types have advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to understand the difference between the two so that you can make the right choice.
Tank-Style Water Heaters
Chances are, you’re familiar with this type of water heater. A tank-style water heater stores hot water in a big tank for when you need it.
Tankless Water Heaters
A tankless water heater does not store any water. Instead, when you turn on a tap, water flows through a heating element on your unit to heat the water on demand.
Why Homeowners Are Going Tankless
Tankless water heating is an increasingly common choice for several reasons.
Endless Hot Water
When it comes to a tank-style water heater, once it runs out of hot water, you’re out of luck. You have to wait for it to heat up the water again.
With a tankless model, the hot water never ends because it’s heated as it enters your home.
Energy Efficiency
Tank water heaters can be inefficient because of their water storage. The water heater has to work to keep the water hot. This isn’t an issue with tankless water heaters since they don’t heat water until you need it. Depending on how much hot water you use, tankless water heaters can be 8%—34% more efficient than a tank water heater.
Longer Lifespan
A tankless water heater lasts for 20 years or more. A tank water heater may last as little as six years, and many have an upper limit of around 15 years.
More Space, Less Clutter
You need room for the tank itself when you have a storage water heater. A tankless water heater is excellent if space is at a premium. It takes up much less room and is mounted on a wall.
Cleaner, Fresher Water
Over time, sediment, rust and even bacteria can build up in your hot water tank. With a tankless water heater, your water is always fresh.
What to Know Before Switching
When you’re considering a tankless water heater replacement, there are a few important considerations.
Electrical or Gas Upgrades
Whether your new tankless water heater is electrical or gas, it will require more electricity or gas than your old storage water heater. Therefore, it may be necessary to perform upgrades to your electrical system or install a larger gas line to accommodate these demands.
Sizing and Flow Rate
Flow rate refers to how much hot water a tankless water heater can produce at any given time, and it’s measured in gallons per minute. Larger tanks have a higher flow rate. We’ll determine what size hot water heater you need based on your usage.
Venting Requirements
If your tankless water heater is gas powered, venting that is compliant with local code is necessary.
Water Quality Considerations
Hard water can damage a tankless water heater, with sediment building up in its components over time. We recommend regular cleaning and maintenance to ensure that you keep this buildup at a minimum. In addition, you may want to consider installing a water softener.
The Installation Process
It’s important to have a professional tankless water heater plumber install your new unit for safety and code compliance reasons. Some warranties also require professional installation.
Consultation & Assessment
We’ll start by discussing your hot water needs with you and the pros and cons of both tank and tankless water heaters. If you do decide that a switch to a tankless water heater is the way to go, we’ll also figure out what size you need to get the right flow rate for your usage levels. In addition, we’ll work with you to choose the best place to mount the tankless water heater.
Professional Installation
We’ll do any gas or electric upgrades that are necessary. If we’re replacing a storage water heater, we’ll drain and remove the old tank.
Next, we’ll mount the tankless water heater to your wall and connect it to your gas or electric lines. If yours is gas-powered, we’ll also ensure that the venting meets regulations.
Testing & Calibration
We then need to make sure that your unit is operating correctly. This includes making sure that there are no leaks, getting rid of any air in the system and calibrating the thermostat to your preference. We’ll ensure that your new tankless water heater is safe to use.
Cleanup & Demonstration
Leaving your home as we found it is an important part of our tankless water heater installation. We’ll clean up after ourselves and show you how to use your new water heater.
Our Melbourne tankless water heater installation also includes education. We’ll provide tips on maintenance along with everything that you need to know for safe and effective operation.
How Much Does It Cost to Go Tankless?
Upfront costs vary depending on several factors, including whether we need to install a new gas line or upgrade your electrical system and the size of your new system. Total costs for both the tank and installation can run from more than $1,000 to several thousand dollars.
However, you should weigh this cost against savings. A tankless water heater can save you hundreds of dollars on your utility bills annually although this also varies based on whether yours is gas or electric. In addition, you should also consider how much longer a tankless water heater will last.
We’ll always provide you with an estimate of costs before we begin work.
Maintenance Made Easy
Regular maintenance is important to ensure that your tankless water heater continues to work correctly, efficiently and for as long as possible. A tankless water heater needs to be flushed out periodically and the filter cleaned. We recommend that you schedule professional maintenance at least once a year.
A Smarter, More Efficient Way to Heat Water
A tankless water heater is not right for every household, but if your current water heater is coming to the end of its lifespan, consider a switch. Tankless water heaters reduce waste and provide you with the hot water that you need and when you need it with no waiting.
Ready To Go Tankless?
Reach out to Melbourne Benjamin Franklin Plumbing and schedule a consultation. We’ll be happy to talk to you about your options and whether a tankless water heater is right for you. We’ll answer any questions that you have, and we’ll work you to make the switch seamlessly.
Your comfort matters to us, and that includes always turning up on time. You come first. We know your time is valuable, and that’s why if there’s any delay, it’s you we pay.
Call us today at Melbourne Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to get started on a water heater solution that works for you.