The Alberta Government has rolled out a new program to provide homeowners with an incentive to switch their less efficient appliances with newfangled high efficiency appliances. This program can benefit any Albertan who currently owns a natural draft low efficiency hot water tank by giving you a rebate on the installation of a new tankless water heater.
Easy, if you currently have a hot water heater with a metal chimney, reside in a house or townhouse, and would like to lower your gas consumption then you qualify.
First visit https://www.efficiencyalberta.ca/home-improvement/tankless-hot-water-heater/ and click on the find a contractor button. Then enter your postal code and find a local contractor who can provide you with a quote. Then shut down your computer and call Firefly Plumbing if you live in Calgary or the surrounding areas. The contractor will come and give you a quote and provide you with how much of a rebate you can expect before any work begins. Once you agree to the work your qualified technician will install your shiny new tankless water heater and take payment. The contractor will then provide all necessary documentation to the government and within 6 to 8 weeks you will receive your rebate!
How Much of a Rebate Can I Expect?
The amount of your rebate depends on the efficiency of your old equipment VS the efficiency of your new equipment. The rebate tends to be between $900 and $1,000.
How Much is a Tankless Water Heater?
There are many factors that go into the cost of a new tankless water heater including brand, code requirements, and materials. Therefore, it is in your best interest to have a qualified technician look at your home and make provide you with an estimate.
Is a Tankless Water Heater Really Worth it?
This is up to you. Tankless water heaters are extremely efficient. A typical natural draft water heater sits around 55% efficient while a tankless heater can be as high as 99% efficient. If installed, programmed, and maintained properly a tankless water heater can provide you and your family with seemingly endless hot water at a fraction of the cost of the older natural draft water heaters. Most tankless heaters can handle a typical two and a half bath house with no issues and no worry of running out of hot water. Knowledge and training are the biggest pitfalls when it comes to the proper installation of one of these appliances and ensuring that you are comfortable with your contractors proficiency in this area is a homeowners key to a successful installation.