WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT INSTANT WATER HEATERS
Our Jacksonville Plumbers install water heater replacements regularly because tank failure is one of the most common causes of leaks. A water heater can usually be repaired unless the tank rusts through. A water heater tank contains internal sacrificial anode rods which rust instead of the tank. If maintenance isn’t done every 3-4 years or more frequently, the tank will fail early.
When it comes time to replace the water heater, the homeowner has the option to upgrade to a whole home instantaneous water heater or a point-of-use tankless water heater can be installed. They come in gas or electric models with different options available.
If it’s time to replace your water heater tank or you are thinking about improving your Jacksonville’s home energy efficiency, a tankless water heater may be just what you need. They help to conserve water and save energy. But one of the best features is having instant access to all the hot water you could ever want. You won’t have to deal with minutes of running the tap to get to the hot water.
Depending on your household needs and the amount of hot water used at peak hours of a day, you might want to think about either a whole-house tankless water heater or about instant water heating units installed in strategic places throughout the house. These units are compact, efficient and affordable.
As professional Jacksonville plumbers, we are often asked how instant hot water heater work. Here are some key points to consider about instant water heaters.
How Tankless Water Heaters Work
Tankless water heaters take up almost no space as they have no tank. They work by pulling water through the device and running it past a heating element, providing almost instant and endless hot water. A tankless water heater does not heat water continuously throughout the day and night because there is no tank, so there is no waste.
The energy savings reported from tankless water heaters can be on average about 40%. There are many sizes and options to choose from in tankless models too. There are larger units for the entire home or point of use units that allow you to dedicate one single water heater to a fixture or appliance. If you aren’t sure whether tankless water heaters are right for your home, call Clay County Master Plumbing, LLC for an estimate and consultation. We would be happy to discuss your water heater options.
- Tankless water heaters produce hot water by heating an element that then heats the water as it passes across the element on its way to the tap.
- The name “tankless” comes from the fact that there is no water storage tank that is part of these systems.
- These systems save energy because they don’t keep the water in a storage tank at a constant temperature. They only heat what you actually use when you need it.
- With tankless water heaters, you don’t have to worry about leaks because of the storage tank or a pipe cracking. Your home and furnishings will be safer.
- There are two kinds of instant water heaters – those powered by electricity and those powered by natural gas. Gas-powered units can produce more water flow than electric units.
- The cost of a whole-house tankless unit will range between $199 and $4000.
- Tank-less systems usually last 20 years or more. Traditional water heaters with storage units generally last only 10 to 15 years.
- If you use a lot of hot water in a day, a tankless system will use 8% less energy. If you use very little hot water in a day, they can save as much as 50% in energy use.
- The cost of supplying hot water to your home can be reduced by up to 60% by switching to a whole-home tank-less system.
- Electric instant water heating units heat between two and five gallons of water a minute. Gas-fired tankless water heaters will produce higher flow rates than electric units.
- Because of the limited amount (2 – 5 gallons a minute) heated by these units, you will not be able to run two demands for hot water at a time (such as running the dishwasher and taking a shower). This drawback can be overcome by installing a booster unit or by just installing units in each place you use hot water.
- Instant units are small and self-contained. They take little space and don’t need two water supply pipes running to the unit.
- Instant water heating units are ideal in places where hot water is needed only occasionally, such as a garage sink, a hot tub, an outdoor cooking area or a pet bathing area.
- Instant units are also perfect in places where you need hot water only when the areas of the home are in use, such as a pool house or a guest bathroom.
- Instant units are also perfect for guest houses, vacation homes and exterior showers for beach homes. Because there is no risk of leaking or flooding the property in case of a leak, you can close up the property when it is not in use and not have to worry. Then when the property is reopened, you don’t have to wait for hot water while the whole storage tank heats.
Gas, or Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Gas-fired and electric tankless water heaters are available to install. Water heaters have a storage tank system that could be boosted with a tankless water heater at a key location. When making a decision, you’ll be thinking about cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency. If you already have gas lines installed in your home, you may be interested in sticking with gas-fueled tankless water heaters. Our Jacksonville plumbers regularly install all types of water heaters, so we find that it’s all according to what is most important to the homeowner.
Maintaining Your Tankless Water Heater
Whether you have a tankless water heater or a tank unit, it has a limited life just like the rest of your appliances. Proper maintenance and care can always extend that life. A tankless water heater will need some maintenance, but not near as much as a storage tank model. The most important step to take is to descale the tankless water heater and ensure that any gas lines or electrical components are tested.
Limescale is a major cause of problems with your water pipes. It builds up inside and narrows the opening, causing clogs and other issues. But it will also build up on anything it sticks to including your water heater heating elements, water pipes, and everything else it touches. A simple professional water heater tune-up done once per year will keep your tankless water heater working efficiently for as long as possible.
Tankless Water Heater Installation In Jacksonville
When the time comes that you need a new water heater, Clay County Master Plumbing can help you replace it. We work with only the finest manufacturers so we have a wide selection of high quality and energy efficient water heaters for you to choose from. We install both point-of-use instant water heaters and whole-home tankless water heaters. We also install all sizes of storage water heaters from 40-gallon tanks to 120-gallon tanks. We can install gas or electric powered water heaters as well. Whatever your home and your family needs, we have the right water heater for you.
Before you make a replacement decision about your Jacksonville plumbing system, think about whether an instant water heater might meet your needs more efficiently. If you are looking to make your hot water supply more efficient and conserve water, you might want to install an instant water heater. We’d be happy to go over some options with you and answer all your questions if you need a new water heater in the Jacksonville area.
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