When it comes to water heaters, there’s a lot the average person doesn’t know. Fortunately, the professionals at Climate Experts Canada specialize in water heaters so you don’t have to! If you have questions about tankless water heaters and whether or not they’re right for you, read on.
How Tankless Water Heaters Work
The idea of a tankless water heater might not make much sense, but they’re actually quite innovative! As opposed to a water heater with a tank, your tankless unit does not store water, but rather features a flow sensing device that recognizes when a hot water tap is opened. It then heats up the flowing water with a gas burner or electric element and “directs the water wherever it’s needed in your home.” Brilliant, right?
Advantages Of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters have a plethora of benefits over their tank-inclusive counterparts. For starters, they are smaller than conventional water heaters and are wall-mounted. This means that you can save precious floor space in smaller homes! They have also been proven to help homeowners save on energy costs. Going tankless can reduce the energy used by your water heater by up to 50%, saving you an average of $80 per year. Additionally, tankless water heaters are less likely to fail and cause “catastrophic flooding in your home.” With that risk lowered and the lifespan of your water heater doubled, you’ll be set with hot water for 20 years or more!
Disadvantages Of Tankless Water Heaters
Compared to gas-fired water heaters, tankless water heater installation may cost less, but the tankless units cost more on average. They may also be slower to deliver hot water due to the fact that there is no storage of hot water, as opposed to traditional models with storage tanks. Traditional models can also provide hot water even during power outages, whereas a tankless unit will not function during a power outage thus you will not have hot water. Tankless water heaters also have a more limited capacity for heating water, so simultaneous draws of hot water in your home may not be possible.
Gas or Electric?
If you’re struggling to decide between a traditional model or a tankless water heater, you should consider a few factors. Tankless units are well-suited for households of two or less, while larger families or living arrangements are much better off with a traditional model, as they have more heating power than electric units. Another consideration is the importance you place on your environmental impact. Gas-powered water heaters are less efficient than electric units, with energy factors ranging between 0.64 and 0.91, whereas electric units can reach 0.99!
Whatever you choose, make sure it’s right for your home. Tankless water heater installation is a great step towards saving space and energy in your home, but as aforementioned, there are a few circumstances that may sway your decision one way or the other. Contact the professionals at Climate Experts Canada with any questions or concerns you may have about tankless water heater installation! We’re here to help.
