Stewart Plumbing- Understanding Your Tankless Water Heater Options
A tankless water heater can save you time, money, and headaches by providing an endless stream of hot water to your home. Without a storage tank, you won’t need to worry about (1) running out of warm water after several people take showers, (2) spending extra on your utility bill to cover energy waste from constant heating, and (3) having to replace expensive parts after tanks malfunction. If you’re considering tankless, you’re already ahead of the game.
But now that you’re looking into this more advanced technology, you and the service professionals at Stewart Plumbing will have to make a decision based on your budget, preferences, and the structure of your home: what fuel-source will your tankless water heater use? There are multiple pros and cons regarding different types of tankless water heaters, and some houses are better suited for certain systems. There are two main distinctions in the tankless world:
Gas vs. Electric
Your tankless water heater will be saving you money and tightening your energy efficiency either way. Generally speaking, a tankless water heater can be over 30% more efficient than conventional tank-type! Still, a gas-fired tankless will produce even higher flow rates than the already superior electric ones. The installation for gas powered is more expensive, but the savings on your energy bill will eventually make up for that extra cost (after all, a tankless heating system is more of an investment than a singular purchase). If you want to capitalize on the extremely powerful natural gas system, you’ll need to make sure that your Memphis household is near a gas line and capable of being properly ventilated. Sometimes, though, electric is a better fit. Consult a Stewart Plumbing technician for reliable and knowledgeable recommendations as well as an up-front estimate.
Whole House vs. Point-of-Use
Can your tankless water heater deliver hot water to your entire home? In most cases, the answer is yes, and a whole-house system is the easiest option. However, in particularly larger houses or households with many occupants (think 3 to 5 active children) than may use upwards of 50 gallons a day, your best bet may be to install separate, smaller tankless units directly targeted towards certain, heavy-use faucets. The tankless design is compact and can be stored in a closet or below a sink, as opposed to unsightly tankless units which can really only go in the basement. Point-of-use water heaters act as back-ups so you never have to water about your heating being anything less than constantly reliable.
Call Stewart Plumbing to see what tankless is right for you! Request your free consultation today.