Environmental consciousness is part of what fueled the invention of tankless water heaters, but some homeowners have other concerns as well. Despite increasing interest in tankless water heaters, traditional storage tank water heaters, which keep water heated in a large tank, continue to be the most popular systems installed in homes. Because of this, many may think that a conventional water heater is the best choice for installation or replacement, but can a tankless unit save some money?
Traditional water heaters contain either an electric heating element or a gas burner which keeps water heated throughout the day. Water flows in through a long dip tube that leads to the bottom of a tank, where the heating element heats the cold water. Hot water is less dense than cold water, so it naturally rises to the top of the tank, where a short tube carries it to the faucet or showerhead when needed. The unit continues to heat water throughout the day, so that it is available for use when a hot water tap is turned on.
As a result, energy is used throughout the day even though you only use the hot water a handful of time, resulting in a good amount of standby energy loss. This problem is eliminated with tankless water heaters, which only heat water as soon as a tap is turned on. Tankless water heaters activate as soon as you need hot water, and water heats up as soon as it flows past the heating element. This means that no energy is used throughout the day, so you won’t have to worry about any money lost with standby energy loss.
In fact, tankless water heaters may have a longer lifespan so long as they are properly maintained. Tankless water heaters may cost more upfront, but most continue to work for over 20 years. Ultimately, the energy savings throughout the years, combined with the fact that you won’t have to replace your unit for a long time, means you can actually save money over time.
Still not convinced? To talk to a professional about tankless water heaters in Bolingbrook, talk to one of the water heater experts at DuAll Heating & Cooling. Give us a call!
