14 Aug Off
Conventional vs. Tankless Water Heaters
“What type of water heating system do you have?”
When was the last time you heard that question? Do you know how to answer it? Most homeowners don’t give a lot of thought to our water heating unless something goes wrong. Even then, they just assume that everyone deals with running out of hot water, having cold showers when you’re last in line, and paying through the nose on energy bills. Isn’t that just how it works?
The truth, however, is that not all water heating systems are created equal. If you have a conventional, tank-type water heating system in your home, you’re working with outdated, inefficient technology. You’re paying too much for a water heater that isn’t giving you the convenience or the consistency that your household requires. Most homes in the San Diego area are eligible for a more modern technology: a tankless water heating system. But if you’ve looked into tankless, you’ve probably noticed that the installation costs more than simply having your conventional heater replaced with another storage tank, and it’s possible that initial price has deterred you from making the switch. Can it really be worth it to upgrade? Here at Arnett’s Plumbing, we recommend that you do. But why?
In this article, we’ll compare conventional water heating to tankless to show you why tankless water heating is the long term investment you need to make for your home. We’ve noticed that the more informed customers are on the differences, the more likely they are to make the switch! So let’s start by looking at the qualities of your conventional water heating system:
Conventional Water Heating
A traditional, tank-type water heating system operates by having a 40 to 80 gallon storage tank that constantly holds and heats water so that it is available for your use. This design poses several problems:
– Limited Water Supply: After you use up the water kept in your storage tank, that’s it. You’re out of hot water until your tank refills itself, which can tank a while. That’s why the hot water runs out when multiple people take showers in a row, or when somebody runs several major appliances at the same time.
– 24/7 Heating: Even when you aren’t using water, your tank-type water heater is heating the stored water to the pre-set temperature. That means you’re paying for energy that you aren’t using…you may not even be home! Add that to the fact that most conventional water heaters are only applying about 60% of energy to actually heating the water, and you’ve got a high utility bill and not a whole lot to show for it.
– Waste of Space: Storage tanks are large and unsightly. They require additional space, making installations and replacements inflexible and your utility room crowded.
– Shorter Lifespan: Because these units are very susceptible to damage, most companies only offer warranties for 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of a tank-type heater, with the proper annual maintenance, is between 8 to 12. Chances are, if you’ve been putting off your water heater’s upkeep, you’ll need a replacement very soon.
So right there you have a number of costly flaws, including energy waste, loss of space, and inconvenience! How does a tankless system fix these weaknesses?
Tankless Water Heating
Rather than storage it, a tankless water heater heats your water in a series of coils. The unit itself is about the size of a carry-on suitcase, but it packs some major punch:
– Endless Hot Water: There’s no limit to the hot water you can have in your home at one time with tankless. These heaters deliver on-demand, perpetual hot water through your home, so you can take a shower for as long as you want and never run out of heat.
– More Energy Efficient: Tankless water heating systems only heat water when you need it. They also operate at about 98% energy efficiency when properly maintained, so you’ll be saving around $100 every year on your utility bill.
– Compact Design: You won’t have to hide your tankless system in your basement. Our technicians can install it on any wall in your home. It can even be fit in a closet and leave enough space for the closet to be functional, giving you point-of-use options!
– Longer-Lasting: The lifespan of a properly maintained tankless unit is 20 years, meaning you could own just one tankless for the time you could own three separate conventional! With flexible warranties and Arnett’s professional upkeep, your tankless unit will pay for itself in energy savings without you ever needing to worry.