If you’re looking for a more energy-efficient way to heat your home’s water, a tankless water heater is the perfect solution. Unlike traditional storage tank water heaters, which constantly heat and reheat a large volume of water, tankless water heaters heat the water on demand, providing a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option for your household. Let’s look at the main energy efficiency benefits of a tankless water heater to help you determine if it is the right choice for your home.
Save On Your Energy Bills
Tankless water heaters save you money on your energy bills. According to Energy.gov, tankless water heaters can be up to 34% more energy-efficient than traditional storage tank water heaters, depending on your household’s water usage habits. Tankless water heaters eliminate a major source of energy waste because they don’t have to constantly heat and maintain a large volume of water in a storage tank. Instead, they only heat the water when you need it, and they do so quickly and efficiently.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
In addition to saving you money on your energy bills, a tankless water heater significantly reduces your home’s carbon footprint. By using less energy to heat your water, you’ll be reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced due to your home’s energy use. Many tankless water heaters have eco-friendly features, such as energy-saving modes and smart technology, which further optimize their performance and minimize their environmental impact. By choosing a tankless water heater, you’re making a responsible decision that benefits your wallet and the planet.
Longer Lifespan
Another energy efficiency benefit of a tankless water heater is its longer lifespan compared to traditional storage tank water heaters. According to Energy.gov, the average lifespan of a tankless water heater is around 20 years, compared to 10-15 years for a traditional storage-tank water heater. You can attribute the extended lifespan of tankless water heaters to several factors, including their on-demand operation, which minimizes wear and tear on the system, and their generally higher-quality components. Additionally, tankless water heaters often have replaceable parts, allowing for easier repairs and further contributing to their longevity.
Eliminate Standby Heat Loss
One of the primary reasons tankless water heaters are so energy-efficient is that they eliminate the standby heat loss of traditional storage tank water heaters. Standby heat loss refers to the energy lost as the hot water sits in the storage tank. Even if you’re not using hot water, the storage tank maintains a specific temperature so the water is ready when you want it.
With a tankless water heater, there is no standby heat loss because the water is only heated when you need it. When you turn on the hot water tap, the tankless unit heats the water as it flows through the system, delivering hot water on demand. No energy is wasted heating water you’re not actually using, which adds up to significant energy savings over time.
Receive Hot Water Faster
In addition to its energy efficiency benefits, a tankless water heater produces hot water more quickly than a traditional storage tank water heater. With many storage tank water heaters, you may have to run the water for several minutes for it to heat up. However, with a tankless water heater, the hot water is delivered almost instantly. The savings here are two-fold, you save gallons of water plus time by not waiting for the water to get hot. This is incredibly convenient for large households or if you use a lot of hot water throughout the day.
Overall, a tankless water heater is an excellent choice if you’re looking to reduce your energy usage and save money on your energy bills. Not only are they more energy-efficient than traditional storage tank water heaters, but they also have a longer lifespan and can provide you with hot water more quickly. While the upfront cost of a tankless water heater may be higher than that of a traditional storage tank water heater, the long-term energy savings make it a worthwhile investment. If you’re ready to make the switch to a tankless water heater, contact your friends in the plumbing business at Benjamin Plumbing.