When you’re looking for a water heater, you might be wondering whether a tankless water heater is right for your home. Tankless water heaters are incredibly efficient, but they also come with their own set of circumstances that may make them difficult to install or maintain.
With so many options out there, it can feel like you may need a degree in engineering just to get started.
Luckily, we’ve got you covered.
This article will provide you with all the information you need to make a well-informed judgment about choosing a tankless water heater for your home. We’ll cover everything from installation to when to call a professional tankless water heater installation expert In London, KY.
What is a tankless water heater?
A tankless water heater is an appliance that heats your water on demand.
It is a heat exchanger that heats water as it flows through the device. This means that no tank of water is required—you just plug in the unit, and your hot water is ready to go whenever you need it.
Tankless water heaters have a very different design than traditional tank-style water heaters, which store the hot water in a large tank and use the energy from the tank to heat it when you turn on the tap. Tankless heaters use gas or electric elements to heat up a small amount of water at once, so they don’t waste energy heating an entire tank of cold water.
How does a tankless water heater work?
Tankless water heaters are a game-changer. They’re becoming increasingly popular for a good reason: they can save you lots of money!
Ever wonder how a tankless water heater works?
It’s pretty simple, really. You just need to know the four key elements that make up a tankless water heater:
1.) A heat exchanger (this is where the magic happens)
2.) An electronic ignition system (which lights the fire)
3.) A pump (so it can push the hot water out)
4.) A high-pressure regulator (to regulate the pressure of the water coming out)
Basically, tankless water heaters heat your water on demand. That means they don’t have to keep all the hot water you’ll ever need running at once—they only heat up the amount that you ask for at that moment. This saves you money because it doesn’t use more energy than you need.
The best part? You don’t have to wait for the water to get hot! Tankless water heaters are much faster than traditional tanked models, so it’s like having your own wellspring of piping-hot H2O whenever needed!
Comparison Chart Between Tankless vs Tank Water Heaters
Here’s a comparison chart highlighting the key differences between tankless water heaters and tank water heaters (tank-type and tankless water heater pros and cons):
| Feature | Tankless Water Heaters | Tank Water Heaters |
| Energy Efficiency | Highly efficient | Less efficient |
| Hot Water Capacity | Continuous supply | Limited capacity |
| Size and Space Requirement | Compact | Bulky |
| Lifespan | Longer lifespan | Shorter lifespan |
| Maintenance | Lower maintenance | Higher maintenance |
| Initial Cost | Higher upfront cost | Lower upfront cost |
| Installation | Complex installation | Easier installation |
| Flow Rate | Varies based on model | Consistent |
| Coldwater Sandwich Effect | Potential for occurrence | Not applicable |
| Environmental Impact | Lower carbon footprint | Higher carbon footprint |
| Usage Flexibility | Suitable for small to large households | Suitable for small to medium households |
What are the benefits of a tankless water heater?
A tankless water heater is an efficient, high-performing way to heat water. Here are some reasons to install one in your home:
Energy Efficiency
Tankless heaters provide hot water on demand, so you don’t have to keep a storage tank full of water waiting for you to use it. That means you’re not wasting energy keeping the tank heated when it’s not being used.
Continuous Hot Water Supply
The energy efficiency of tankless heaters also means you’ll never have to worry about running out of hot water—whether you’re washing dishes or taking a shower.
Reduced Costs
Tankless heaters cut down on wasted energy by providing hot water only when needed. You can also save money by installing a tankless system with an electric backup unit, which will give you access to hot water during power outages or other emergencies (but won’t require any additional installation).
Space-saving Design
A tankless water heater is designed to be installed in places where a traditional tank heater would not fit, such as small rooms and closets. This means you could use it to heat your bathroom or kitchen without taking up valuable space elsewhere in your home.
Longer Lifespan
Another benefits of tankless water heaters is that they have a longer lifespan than traditional tank heaters because they don’t require regular maintenance and cleaning like tank heaters do—they simply keep working until they’re used up.
High Efficiency
Tankless water heaters are more efficient than traditional tank heaters because they only heat the amount of water needed at any given moment, rather than heating an entire tank of hot water all at once (which is what happens with a traditional tank heater).
Reduced Maintenance
It’s no secret that conventional tanked water heaters require regular maintenance and cleaning. Tankless systems are much more efficient because they don’t have to hold large amounts of water at once, meaning you won’t need to replace filters or clean the system as often.
Lower Environmental Impact
The average household uses about 40 gallons of hot water daily— about 5 gallons an hour! That’s a lot of energy (and money) used just to heat water. Tankless systems cut down on wasted energy by utilizing what you need when needed.
Improved Water Quality
Tankless water heaters don’t store water in a tank, reducing the chances of sediment accumulation or rust formation that can affect water quality. This leads to cleaner and fresher hot water for your everyday needs.
Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
When it comes to the pros and cons of tankless water heaters, there’s no shortage of things to consider.
But if you’re already sold on the idea of switching over, or if you’re just looking for a little extra information before making your decision, here are a few reasons why tankless isn’t right for everyone:
Higher initial cost
Tankless water heaters are more expensive than traditional tank-style heaters, but you’ll recoup the investment in energy savings over time. The initial cost of the unit is higher, but you’ll save money on your heating bill because you won’t be heating excess water.
Limited flow rate
Tankless heaters are designed for smaller homes and don’t have much capacity for heating larger amounts of water at once. If that’s fine with you—and chances are it will be—, then this won’t be an issue! But if you’re worried about getting enough hot water for everyone in your household at once (say… when everyone gets home from work at 5 pm), this might not be the best option for you.
Complex installation
Tankless water heaters require more work than a traditional storage tank model because they need to be installed in conjunction with your existing plumbing system. You’ll probably have to hire an electrician or tankless water heater installation plumber to do this for you.
Electrical capacity or gas supply requirements
Tankless water heaters have higher electrical capacity requirements than their traditional counterparts—this means they can only be utilized in parts of your home where there’s enough power available for them to run effectively. If you don’t have enough electricity for a tankless heater, it won’t work at all!
How to install tankless water heaters?
Now that you have seen the benefits of a tankless water heater and some disadvantages, it’s time to look at how this piece can be installed.
Installing a tankless water heater is not rocket science. But it’s also not as easy as plugging in a toaster. If you’re new to the world of tankless, this section can help you ensure your installation goes smoothly.
Step 1: Call an electrician
If you’re unfamiliar with plumbing and electricity, it’s best to take help from professionals in London, KY. The National Fire Protection Association recommends calling an electrician if you don’t feel comfortable installing your own tankless heater.
Step 2: Choose a location for the tankless water heater
Tankless heaters need space for both the unit itself and for piping that connects it to your home’s hot water system. You’ll need about 10 feet of horizontal space for each gallon of capacity on your unit. For example, a 4-gallon unit will require 40 feet of horizontal space. The greater the distance between your tankless heater and its connection point, the more complicated installation will be—so keep that in mind when choosing where to put your unit!
Step 3: Obtain Necessary Permits and Inspections:
- Check with local authorities to determine if any permits are required for installing a tankless water heater.
- Schedule inspections as mandated by local regulations to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Step 4: Shut Off Utilities and Drain the Water:
- Turn off the gas or electricity supply to the existing water heater.
- Shut off the water supply to the house and drain the water from the existing tank water heater.
Step 5: Disconnect and Remove the Old Water Heater:
- Disconnect the electrical or gas connections to the old water heater.
- Disconnect the plumbing connections, including inlet and outlet pipes.
- Remove the old water heater from its location.
Step 6:Install the Tankless Water Heater:
- Mount the tankless water heater securely on the wall according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Connect the plumbing lines, including the cold water inlet, hot water outlet, and any necessary bypass valves or recirculation lines.
- Connect the gas or electrical supply to the tankless water heater, ensuring proper connections and adherence to safety standards.
- Install venting, if required, according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Step 7: Test and Activate:
- Turn on the water supply to the house and check for any leaks in the plumbing connections.
- Restore the gas or electricity supply to the tankless water heater.
- Test the unit by opening hot water taps throughout the house to ensure proper operation and hot water delivery.
Call A Professional Water Heater Installation Or Replacement Plumber In London, KY!
If you’re ready to install a tankless water heater in your home, call Kentucky Climate Control!
We have been providing professional tankless water heater installation and replacement services in London, KY, and we can help you discover the best water heater model for your needs.
At Kentucky Climate Control, we’ve seen just about everything there is to see when it comes to plumbing issues in your home or business. We know how important your water heater is—especially during this time of year!
We are here for you 24/7 and can reach your home within the hour if needed. Our team of experienced technicians in London, KY, will help you with all your plumbing requirements, including:
– Tankless water heater Installations
– Tankless water heater Repairs
– Tankless water heater Replacement
– Sewer and drain cleaning
– Sump pump repair and installation
We pride ourselves on our outstanding customer service and commitment to getting things done quickly so you can get back to relishing your home or business with minimal interruption.
Our team of highly skilled professionals will work with you to make sure that your tankless water heater is installed properly and working efficiently.
We’ll also help you schedule regular maintenance visits to ensure that your water heater system will continue to work satisfactorily for years to come. Our prices are also competitive with other plumbers in the area, but that’s not all: our work is guaranteed to up-to-date codes and regulations. You can rest assured that it will be done right the first time when we install or repair your water heater.
If you want to know more about our Tankless Water Heater Services in London, KY, call us at (855) 482-2522 and schedule your appointment today!
