Energy Efficient Tankless Water Heaters
Seems like there are many reasons for liking energy efficient tankless hot water heaters! I will review the pros and cons, but you will have to make the final decision as to whether or not they are for you. If this is your first look into the world of energy efficient tankless water heaters, I put a very simple video at the end of this post. It is very basic, but will show you the difference.
Mostly they have a longer life expectancy, save money, save energy, take less space, and have an endless supply of hot water.
First there is the life expectancy. Make sure that you figure this in when you are doing your calculations. The life expectancy for a regular hot water tank type heater will probably be in the 10 – 12 year range. Of course there are factors that will change that, such as the quality of your water. The life expectancy of a tankless water heater will be closer to the 20 year range. And I did find some with a lifetime warranty.
There seem to be a lot of numbers floating around as to the amount of savings. The tankless water heater could be as much as 40% more energy efficient, depending upon who you believe and your personal use habits. The conventional water heater keeps water at a constant temperature and is always reheating the water. The tankless, also known as “on demand” type of water heater only heats water when it is called for. Just think of the savings if you went on vacation, or even if you did not normally use hot water for hours on end.
The space savings is a nice benefit. Since they are mounted on the wall they take zero floor space, plus they can be mounted closer to the point of use. This gives you a lot more flexibility when choosing a location. You may also want to consider having more than one. For example if you had a remote area with little use, you could install a smaller unit. This would take some of the load off of the main unit, plus put the water closer to the point of use.
The endless supply of hot water is a big benefit for larger families. There is nothing worse than being the one in the shower when the hot water is gone! And of course it seems like forever before there is hot water again.
There could be a federal tax credit of $300. The unit would have to have an efficiency rating of .80 minimum to qualify. They do not all meet this number.
You can also check to see if you qualify for any state or local incentives or rebates. Go to www.dsireusa.org to check.
OK, this all sounds good, but what are the disadvantages?
First there is your ground water temperature. If your ground water is very cold, because you live in the north, it may take a much bigger unit to do the job. The cooler water affects the flow rate.
Some units require a large venting system. This may make it hard to deal with if you are installing in a preexisting home or business. Obviously they are better suited to new construction.
There have been complaints of the time it takes to get hot water to the point of use. Now I don’t know about you, but the only way that I get instant hot water is if it has already been running. So I have to wait anyway.
This is probably a job better left to the pros. Most units will require licensed installers to keep the warranty in tact.
So how do you decide if energy efficient tankless water heaters are for you? You should contact an installer. He should have a lot of questions about your use, location, ground water temperature, and your present cost. He should be able to review his calculations with you and show you how he arrived at his conclusions.
Just remember that they are trying to sell units. Make sure that you are confident with the company and the calculations. It would probably be better for you if they sold both types. That way you could see the difference between a newer more energy efficient conventional water heater and the new energy efficient tankless water heaters!
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[...] Bob Willoughby is the publisher of http://EnergyEfficientHomeTips.net. There are many ways to make your home more energy efficient and save yourself some money at the same time. Visit the web site to learn more about Energy Efficient Tankless Water Heaters [...]