If you’re considering getting a tankless water heater, or if you don’t yet know what one is and how it works, then this blog is for you. We’ll look at the basics of tankless water heaters and how they can benefit you in your home.

What are tankless water heaters?

A tankless water heater is also known as an instantaneous water heater because it only produces hot water as and when it is needed rather than heating water to be stored and used later. So, they are literally tankless because they do not require a storage tank to provide you with hot water.

This is achieved by heating cold water in the pipes as it travels to your faucet whenever you turn on the hot tap. The pipe delivers cold water to a unit within the water heater where it is heated using either a gas burner or an electrical element, depending on the type of tankless water heater you have. This means that hot water can be constantly supplied without the risk of ‘running out’ of stored hot water.

Why do plumbers recommend them?

One of the biggest benefits of tankless water heaters is the cost benefits they can offer. They are generally more efficient than storage water heaters as they produce less waste and heat loss. According to energy.gov, you can benefit from 24–34% greater efficiency if your home uses less than 41 gallons of hot water a day, or slightly less at 8-14% if you use more than this. Either way, you’re saving.

Although tankless water heaters initially cost more to buy than storage heaters, their efficiency allows you to save money on energy bills in the long run. Plus, tankless heaters last around 20 years before needing replacing, compared to storage water heaters that last 10-15 years, so you can get more use out of them throughout their lifetime. You can also extend the life of your tankless water heater further by using certain replaceable parts when required.

Other benefits to you and your family include the fact that you don’t have to wait for hot water. This is great news if you are part of a big family and are often left taking a cold shower after everyone’s used up the hot water before you. Plus, instantaneous water means you’ll always be provided with fresh water rather than it sitting in a tank for hours before you use it. Due to the lack of a storage tank, this kind of water heater also takes up less space.

If a tankless water heater sounds like a solid investment to you, then contact us to find out more or to arrange an installation. We provide plumbing repairs and other services in locations around North Carolina, including Forsyth, Davie, Davidson, and Guilford Counties.