Tankless water heaters. Are you very familiar with this type of water heater that is becoming more and more popular amongst homeowners? While you can still safely say that the traditional tank water heaters are the more common of the two, there’s no denying the fact that tankless water heaters offer some unique advantages. Throughout this week’s blog post, we’ll highlight several of these benefits and hopefully help answer any questions you may have had about this innovative way to approach water heating. In addition, if you’ve been on the fence about deciding between a tankless and tank water heater, this blog post should provide a little clarity.
First though, we would like to welcome anyone that may be stopping by our plumbing blog for the very first time. Welcome to Stine-Nichols Plumbing! We are a plumbing business located in North Kansas City, MO. Serving the entire Kansas City area and many of the surrounding cities, our team is proud to offer residential, commercial and new construction plumbing services. Simply put, we strive to be a one-stop shop for all things plumbing. Water heaters, sewer lines, gas lines, water softeners, garbage disposals, faucets, the list goes on! With our plumbing blog, we look to provide advice on how homeowners and facility managers can have a better understanding of how their plumbing system works. Believe it or not, some basic plumbing knowledge can go a long way in limiting the number of plumbing-related issues that arise.
Now, let’s discuss the topic of this week’s blog post, which happens to be deciding whether or not a tankless water heater is worth the investment for Kansas City homeowners!
Lifespan of a Tankless Water Heater
In regards to a home improvement project involving a new installation, there’s a strong possibility that many homeowners will want to evaluate what the expected return on that investment may be. Furthermore, when you’re referencing plumbing-related installations, a major factor will be the expected lifespan of the particular component. This is certainly something many people will consider prior to purchasing a new water heater. You’ll take in consideration the pros and cons of each before making a decision. With traditional tank water heaters, you’re looking at roughly 12 years. On the flip side, with tankless water heaters, you can get over 20 years. Keep in mind these are just estimates and there are a number of variables that will impact the exact lifespan, but these are good figures to use in the selection process. So, if you’re looking to limit how often you replace your water heater, investing in a tankless water heater could be a wise decision!
Cost of a Tankless Water Heater
Speaking of factors that will undoubtedly impact the water heater purchasing process, it’s safe to say the price point will be something many keep in mind. No surprises there, right? While tankless water heaters do offer quite a few advantages (which will be highlighted throughout this blog post), it’s worth noting tankless water heaters do come at a higher price tag than their tank-style alternatives. A big reason why that is the case actually comes down to the more complicated installation process that they require. Nonetheless, it’s the homeowner’s decision to evaluate whether this increased price is worth the benefits they provide, such as the longer lifespan and even enhanced efficiency, which we’ll discuss further later on.
Space Occupied of a Tankless Water Heater
While cost and lifespan of water heaters are fairly common items that homeowners use when evaluating their potential options, an often-overlooked factor is the space occupied by each. Even though residential tank water heaters don’t take up a ton of space, there’s no denying that tankless water heaters have the advantage when comparing the two. Tankless water heaters are simply attached to the wall. It’s important to remember though that you will need space for the piping and that’s why you always want to have a plumber get eyes on the space before finalizing a decision to move forward on a tankless water heater installation.
Efficiency of a Tankless Water Heater
If you have read some of our past blog posts, you likely know that we frequently mention how “efficiency” has become a focus in the plumbing world. In particular, plumbing fixture brands have looked for ways in which they can make their products operate at an increased efficiency level. After all, were you aware that toilets once used over 5 gallons of water per flush and now, the most they’re allowed to use is 1.6 gallons (with many much more efficient than that)? Well, this emphasis on efficiency is no different when discussing water heaters. And when you’re looking at tankless water heaters, it’s not hard to see how they’re able to operate extremely efficiently. There’s a reason why they are often referred to as “on-demand” water heaters. Since they only heat water when it is needed, that offers a couple of advantages. First, it will instantly improve efficiency as you don’t have to be concerned with the potential for heat loss (which can certainly occur with tank-style water heaters). Secondly (although not related to efficiency), you can technically have unlimited hot water with a tankless unit. The one key caveat though is to ensure it is sized correctly for your home’s water heating needs. In any case though, the efficiency boost provided by a tankless water heater is definitely something worth taking into consideration.
Maintenance is Still Key for Tankless Water Heaters Too!
Along with efficiency being an important factor when purchasing a new plumbing component, each and every homeowner should also be aware of the recommended maintenance needed with the different parts of your plumbing system. And with that being said, maintenance is a critical aspect of getting the maximum number of years out of your water heater. After all, a major benefit of tankless water heaters is tied to their longevity. In order to achieve that expected lifespan, it will be imperative that you conduct the regular maintenance it needs. And on that note, one maintenance task we always encourage homeowners to complete for their tankless water heater is an annual flush. Depending on the water hardness level, you may even flush it more frequently than that, but once-a-year is a good starting point!
Tankless Water Heater Services in Kansas City
What do you think? Although they do come at a higher initial price, there’s no denying the fact that tankless water heaters offer some unique benefits. Throughout this blog post, we tried to feature several of the factors that will play a role in the water heater purchasing process and discuss how tankless water heaters compared to their traditional tank-style counterparts. Over the years, our team of plumbing professionals have gotten plenty of experience working with tankless water heaters. Repairing existing units, installing new tankless water heaters and even providing routine maintenance services. For those of you who live in or near the Kansas City area and are interested in learning more about tankless water heaters, we would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have. To speak with a member of our team, you’re welcome to give us a call at (816) 348-3481.