Many homeowners are excited about the thought of going tankless for their next water heater. They like the idea of being more energy-efficient and the small size of the units. And who would not be excited about saving money each month on utility bills? But before jumping onto the tankless bandwagon, there are a few things that should be carefully considered and evaluated to ensure years of satisfaction from your new tankless water heater.
Size Matters
When you talk about tankless water heaters, one of the first benefits to be touted is the much smaller unit size compared to a traditional water heater. With no holding tank, these units are a fraction of the size, making them easy to tuck into a closet or under a sink. But that is not the size that we are referring to.
A tankless water heater needs to be sized correctly to meet your household’s specific hot water needs. While the headline reads unlimited hot water from a tankless water heater, there is more to the story than that. Tankless water heaters are rated or sized according to how much hot water can be produced simultaneously. So each unit has a maximum flow rate that it can offer.
What this means for you is that you need to determine how much hot water your home will use at any one time. But wait, that is not as worrisome as a task as it might sound. Some formulas that your trusted plumber can whip out to help you calculate this significant number.
Going One Step Further
When you are calculating your home’s hot water demand, the number might get a little hefty. If you have several people showing at one time or other high demand uses, one tankless water heater might not be the best solution. However, that is when you can be very thankful for the compact size of these workhorse water heaters.
Your plumbing pro will be able to assist you in determining if one larger tankless unit or multiple smaller tankless water heaters is the best solution for your home. Often times, multiple smaller units can be more cost-effective than a single massive unit. And it is always nice to know that you have redundant water heaters in the event of a failure.
Finally, your new tankless water heater could require some changes to your home’s hot water piping. So ask your plumber if there is a significant difference in repiping for a single tankless unit versus multiple units throughout your home. A considerable cost savings on the repiping job could help make your choice easier.
Gas Or Electric?
This might sound like a simple question, but there are a few factors to consider. If you live in an all-electric home, you might think that electric is your only option. But you could choose to use a propane tankless water heater rather than electing for an electric-powered model. Many homeowners decide to use the existing power to avoid the added cost of adding a utility service.
Makes And Models
In most cases, your plumber will be happy to recommend a water heater brand if you do not have a specific one in mind. The only time most plumbers will have a strong opinion is if you are choosing a brand known to be of low quality or to have significant performance issues.
Upgrading to a tankless water heater or multiple tankless water heaters is a great way to become more eco-friendly while still enjoying plentiful hot water in your home. When you call (512) 910-8123to learn more about tankless water heaters, a Parobek Plumbing & Air Conditioning licensed plumber will be happy to visit your home. Our pro can answer your questions and help you determine which unit or units will best meet your needs.
And as with every service and installation that we offer, you will receive a complete price quote for the job. There are no surprise fees, and the free quote is yours, with no obligation or strings attached. We simply want to provide you with all the facts to make the best decision you’re your home and family’s hot water needs.
