Here are the 5 best tankless water heater benefits that will help you decide whether a tankless water heater is a good investment for you or your customers. Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, are powered by either gas or electricity.
Tankless water heaters use high-powered burners to heat water by passing through heat exchangers. The water is heated very quickly (within minutes) and delivered directly to your faucet or shower.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
On-demand water heaters create hot water instantly without storage tanks. When a hot water faucet is used, cold water flows through a heat exchanger within the unit, and either a gas burner or an electric element heats the water. Using a tankless water heater will ensure that hot water is always present without waiting for the water to get hot.
Making sure you properly install your system is crucial for optimizing your system. Installation factors include fuel type, local building code requirements & safety regulations. It is best to have this information reviewed before installing your tankless water heater. Standard Tank water heaters can be found in about 90% of homes in America.
Conventional water heaters do have advantages over tankless water heaters such as low maintenance costs, cheaper installation, and can heat larger amounts of water.
Now, Van Marcke Trade Supply is going to provide the top 5 tankless water heater benefits you need to know!
Tankless Water Heater Benefit #1 – Energy Efficiency
Tankless water heaters are beginning to take a bigger share of the marketplace. One of the main reasons for this is the amount of energy you will save if you decide to use one! According to a study conducted by the U.S. Department of Energy, homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily can save up to 34% of their energy a month!
Even homes with higher water usage that average around 86 gallons of hot water a month can expect to save up to 14% on their energy bill. Instantaneous water heaters can provide hot water at a rate from 2 to 5 gallons per minute, depending on the model of the heater and the groundwater temperature. Conventional water storage heaters lose heat as they are on standby, and when water is needed to be heated, your energy is wasted due to the maintenance of keeping the water warm.
Tankless Water Heater Benefit #2 – They Save You Money
Did you know The average U.S. household spends $400-$600 on heating its water? This is the second biggest expense, accounting for 14-18% of your utility bill. If saving money is a priority for you, a tankless water heater can help you. Gas-powered on-demand water heaters can help you save over $100 annually as long as you have them running.
Residential water heating represents about 20% of energy consumption according to a study by the Energy Information Administration in 2009.
Water heating is the second largest energy use in US residential homes with an efficiency rating of 60% for most standard equipment. A study conducted by the Minnesota Office of Energy Security ran a two-year-long test that determined if tankless water heaters could help with energy inefficiency.
Tankless water heaters have very minimal standby losses, conventional water heaters use energy while not being used. Combustion efficiencies are also at play, most tankless water heater units do not have pilot lights, which means more savings for you.
Tankless Water Heater Benefit #3 – Longer Life Span
The average life span of a conventional water heater is about 10 to 12 years. That would mean you would have to change your water heater at least once every 10 years or so. On-demand water heaters have a life span of 20 years which means saving a potential $100 a year.
Most standard water heaters are made of steel, and steel rusts when exposed to oxygen and water. Tankless water heaters don’t corrode and have less sediment buildup.
One of the main reasons why tankless water heaters last so long is because of less sediment buildup. When the water in your tank gets heated frequently, minerals like calcium and magnesium begin to separate.
These minerals will then sink to the bottom of your tank where they will begin to cause build-up. These sediments cause major issues to standard water heaters that can reduce the lifespan of your water heater. With a tankless water heater, you won’t have to worry as much about this happening.
Lastly, tankless water heaters don’t leak as much as standard water heaters. A leaking water heater can cause severe damage to your homes, such as mold and water damage. Avoiding leaks can prevent damage to your home along with bodily injury.
Tankless Water Heater Benefit #4 – Instant Hot Water
Standard water heaters can take time to heat water. A tankless water heater unit can heat water in roughly 15 seconds! Instantaneous water heaters provide hot water only when needed, they heat water directly. The process works like so, you turn on the tap water, and in response, cold water will travel through a pipe into the unit. The water is then heated by a gas burner or an electric compound depending on which unit you have.
Tankless water heaters don’t need a storage tank to fill with hot water. However, tankless water heaters do have a limit to their flow rate. Tankless water heaters can generate a rate of 2-5 gallons of hot water per minute (7.6-15.2 liters).
Tankless Water Heater Benefit #5 – Save Space In Your Home
The last and final benefit of having a tankless water heater is how much space they save in your home! Most tankless water heaters can be mounted on a wall or can be set up in compact places. Conventional water heaters with 40 to 60-gallon capacity limits can take up plenty of room in your home.
The average on-demand water heater can range from about 20-22 inches in diameter, which is about 24 by 24 in floor space. Tankless water heaters on average, are usually 12 inches deep and 18 inches wide, and about 2 feet tall.
Those were our top 5 tankless water heater benefits, we hope these reasons help you make a better and more informed decision. Now if you’re mind is made up but unsure of which company provides the best tankless water heater, we will share with you our favorite water heater brands!
Tankless Water Heater Brands Carried By Van Marcke Trade Supply
Navien Water Heater
Navien produces high-efficiency water heaters and is one of the best brands in the North American market. With ultra-high efficiency up to 0.96 UEF that will help keep your utility bills low, choosing a Navien product is a sure win. If you are interested in purchasing a Navien tankless water heater, visit one of our stores in your area or speak with one of our store managers.
State Water Heaters
State Water Heaters takes pride in the durability of its products. They test their water heaters by putting them in the toughest conditions to make sure they will last for years. State offers their customers spec sheets, sizing guides, piping diagrams, and additional tools that help with the decision-making process.
Bradford White Water Heaters
Bradford White began producing high-quality water heaters over 135 years ago. Bradford White provides superior water heaters and is known for their durability and longevity due to the Vitraglas their water heaters are lined with. Another reason these great products last so long is due to the Hydrojet Total Performance System which reduces sediment buildup.
Ruud Water Heaters
Ruud has been in business for over 100 years and tankless water heaters from Ruud are innovative products. They are currently carrying new gas tankless water heaters and offer energy-efficient designs along with low-cost operation. Their water heaters are compact and the size of a medicine cabinet. If you’re looking for quality, Ruud over-delivers with their products and service. For more information about Ruud products, give us a call or visit one of our stores today!