Tankless water heater
Tankless water heaters have become less of a 'luxury appliance' with the advances that have been made in the plumbing industry. The allure of tankless water heaters is that they don't maintain a tank of hot water. Because tankless water heaters heat the water at the moment it's needed, it doesn't create a situation where there is a gigantic tank of water to be heated continually.
Tankless operation
Here are the things a homeowner is going to want to know before purchasing a tankless water heater:
The heater's size should be decided by the number of people in the home and their needs. Because it heats water only at the time of demand, a small tankless water heater only provides hot water to one location. If multiple people want to shower, or if the washing machine or dishwasher is on, there will be someone mighty cold. Bigger tankless water heaters provide more water but tend to cost more.
Gas is necessary. Tankless water heaters need gas service because of the way that they heat their water. It simply requires too much draw, too quickly, for an electric one to handle the demands of more than two people.
The type of gas line in the home matters.
Tankless heaters need a particular type of gas line. The usual line for a typical water heater tank is too small for a tankless water heater. 200-220k BTU's, for average, a tankless requires 180-199k. If a home has a gas dryer, a gas furnace, and a gas range, a tankless water heater will have to 'share' the gas with them, and because of its smaller line, it will come up short. A bigger gas line, or high-pressure gas line, is a solution.
The quality of water matters.
Las Vegas water is hard enough to affect the outcome, so unless the home has a water softener, it will be an issue.
Venting. Because the burners for tankless water heaters are high-powered, they need specific venting. Both exhaust and intake vents need to be in a smaller location.
Installation. Installation of a tankless water heater requires a skilled service. A smart homeowner or even an untrained plumber won't be able to install a tankless water heater.
Maintenance
Tankless water heaters utilize 30-50% less energy than tank units. Depending on how much the current water heater costs, this could provide substantial savings. However, the system needs yearly maintenance by an authorized service rep, a charge that should be considered with higher initial costs.
Tankless can be installed inside the wall or outside in warmer climates since they automatically warm themselves. Inside the wall or outdoor units can save a lot of space. Venting can be done either through a roof or a wall, unlike traditional gas water heaters, that have to go through the roof.
If you're thinking about purchasing a tankless water heater, understanding these pros and cons should help you make a more informed choice.
Water Wise Plumbing offers Las Vegas area residential plumbing repair for water softeners, sewer lines, water line reroutes ,tankless water heaters, and more. We perform water heater flush, sewer line camera inspection, hydro jetting. Call us today at (702) 605-6408.
