Hot water serves a variety of purposes within your home. A hot shower is more comfortable than a cold one, heated water in your washing machine can help release stains from clothing, and hot water helps to disinfect your dirty dishes.
The hot water that you rely on in your home is generated by a hot water heater. Conventional water heaters are equipped with large storage tanks where water accumulates while it waits to be distributed throughout your home. Although these conventional water heaters can accommodate your home, they might not allow you to maximize the use of your home's hot water system.
Opting to install a tankless water heater might be a better option. The following factors can be taken into consideration to help you decide if it's time to invest in a tankless water heater for your home.
Water Availability
Do you find that you have to let your hot water tap run for a few minutes before the water heats to the desired temperature? If so, your conventional water heater might be to blame.
With a conventional system, water that isn't immediately utilized by your plumbing fixtures remains in the storage tank and outlet pipes. As the water sits, it begins to cool. Before the heated water you want can be delivered, water supplies need to be reheated inside the tank. All of the water that has cooled will need to be drained out of your plumbing before heated water comes through, resulting in the cold water you experience when first engaging your hot water tap.
If you are tired of wasting water while waiting for temperatures to rise, then switching to a tankless water heater could be beneficial. Tankless water heaters generate hot water on-demand. No water sits in your plumbing where it can cool, preventing the need to let your water warm up when activating hot water taps.
Leaks
Exposure to plumbing leaks could cause significant damage to your home. Conventional water heater tanks can begin to corrode over time, allowing some of the water stored within them to leak out onto the floor of your home.
If you have noticed water pooling around the base of your water tank, you will need to replace the unit as quickly as possible to avoid structural damage. A tankless water heater eliminates the potential for leaks in the future.
Since no water is actually stored with a tankless system, there is no water to serve as a source for leaks. You can rest assured knowing that your home will not suffer the consequences of water damage if you switch to a tankless water heater.
Energy Costs
Keeping your living expenses low can help you stay within your monthly household budget. A conventional water heater could be driving your utility costs up. If you are hoping to reduce spending within your home, then installing a tankless water heater could be the answer.
Tankless water heaters only begin heating water when you engage a hot water tap. This on-demand heating feature eliminates the superfluous heating and re-heating that happens with a conventional water heater.
You will waste less water waiting for your water supply to warm up, and this will reduce your water bill. A tankless water heater also uses less energy to produce the hot water your home needs, allowing you to keep electrical and gas bills as low as possible.
If you are thinking about replacing the water heater in your home, give the experienced plumbing professionals at Mike's Plumbing
a call. We can help you decide if making the switch to a tankless water heater will improve the safety, comfort, and efficiency of your home in the future.
