Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It? | Cypress, TX

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Tankless water heaters have become increasingly popular with homeowners in Cypress, TX recently as an alternative to traditional systems with tanks. This type of heater uses less energy and has a lower impact on the environment. However, they can also cost up to three times as much to buy and install as a regular heater, so many homeowners want to know if they're really worth the price you pay.

What Are Tankless Water Heaters?

Tankless systems, as the name suggests, do not store hot water in a tank in your mechanicals room or basement. Instead, they heat water as and when you need it, meaning you never run out of hot water. The process works like this:

• A sensor turns on the gas burner or electrical heating element when you turn on the faucet, allowing hot water to enter the heater.
• The water is heated to a temperature chosen by you, which can be changed whenever you like depending on your needs.
• The heater continues to heat water until you turn off the faucet, at which point it stops immediately.

Energy Bills Savings

Tankless water heaters use less energy than traditional systems with a tank because they don't heat large amounts of water at once. Instead, they only heat the amount of water you need at the time that you need it.

They also help to lower your water bills by reducing the amount of water poured needlessly down the plughole. If you have a regular water heater, the hot water cools in the pipes when you turn the faucet off. You're probably used to having to let the tap run for a little while until the water runs hot. With a tankless system, you'll get hot water as soon as you turn the faucet on.

You can save more money on your utility bills if you choose a heater that's Energy Star-certified. These models must meet rigorous standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy to prove that they operate as efficiently as possible.

Lifespan

As long as you perform proper maintenance, tankless systems can last around 20 years. This is significantly longer than traditional models with a tank, which start to develop corrosion and other issues after around 10 years regardless of how well you care for them, meaning they will need to be replaced.

Space Saving

Tankless water heaters can be a good solution for homeowners who are short on space. While you need enough room in your basement or utility closet to store a large tank if you opt for a traditional system, tankless systems are much smaller and can be placed in a cupboard or mounted on a wall.

Unit and Installation Costs

The cost of buying and installing a tankless water heater is the main factor that puts many people off. Tankless systems are significantly more expensive than traditional systems, coming in at around $1,000-$2,000 for a gas-powered model before any installation costs are factored in.

You could possibly save money by buying an electric model, which is much cheaper and shouldn't set you back more than $900. However, you may need to update your electrical panel and/or have your house rewired in order to fit it, which could cost thousands of dollars.

However, you should bear in mind the energy savings you will make by installing a tankless system and offset them against the purchasing and installation costs. You won't see big energy savings straight away, but over the course of the heater's lifetime, you may well save enough to make a tankless system a more cost-effective option in the long run.

Environmental Impact

Impact on the environment is a major consideration for many people in Cypress, TX when choosing a water heating system for their home. Tankless water heaters are better for the environment than traditional systems because they are more energy-efficient to run. If you buy an electric model, it will not produce any greenhouse gas emissions.

How Many Units Will I Need?

A single tankless water heater unit should be able to provide enough hot water for a modestly sized household. However, Americans use more water per household than most other places in the world, so one unit is unlikely to be able to cope with the hot water demands of a larger house, especially if some of your faucets and fixtures are located far away from the unit and you have multiple bathrooms.

To solve this issue, you could choose to have two or more tankless systems installed near the points of use in your home. However, this will significantly increase the cost of buying and installing the units as opposed to choosing a traditional system.

Warranties

Tankless water heaters generally come with longer warranties than traditional systems because they are expected to last longer. This means that you will be protected for a longer period of time if something goes wrong and you need to have your heater repaired or replaced. You can expect to get a warranty lasting up to 20 years to match the expected lifespan of your tankless system.

However, your warranty will require that you carry out annual maintenance on your heater to keep it in good running order. You should flush the system regularly to prevent limescale from building up which could otherwise damage the unit. If you live in a hard water area, you may also need to use a water softener. It's important to factor in maintenance costs when deciding whether to get a tankless system.

The Bottom Line

Deciding whether or not to get a tankless system is a very personal choice and depends on your home and financial circumstances. If you're interested in finding out whether this type of heater could be a good fit for you, give bluefrog Plumbing and Drain of Northwest Houston a call. We can help Cypress, TXhomeowners to choose and install a tankless water heater and deal with all your servicing, repairs and maintenance needs.