;)
Why You Need to Install a Tankless Water Heater for Your Chester, VA Home
Photo By Andrei Lavrinov at istock
Hot water is a necessity especially in the cold winter months when the temperature hits below zero. Every home needs a water heater that can provide hot water 24/7 or on-demand. Conventional water heaters and tankless water heaters both provide hot water but one of these two has features that will be more beneficial for a homeowner.
Tankless water heaters are energy-efficient compared to conventional heaters. You can save about 22% of energy when you switch to tankless heaters for your home. Do make sure that you hire the services of a professional plumber in Chester, VA should you decide to install one.
Instant Hot Water
It usually takes a few minutes for a conventional heater to provide hot water especially when the faucet is situated far from the tank. This is because the “unused hot water” in the pipes cools off and this needs to be displaced with hot water from the tank. The water volume depends on how far the faucet is from the tank. It may even take several minutes for you to be able to get hot water.
With a tankless system, you get hot water almost instantly. You won’t have to wait for several minutes for your hot water. It will really make a difference, especially in extremely cold months. Also, it completely eliminates the need for bulky tanks in your homes when you install a tankless heater.
If you’re thinking about purchasing one for your home, only work with a licensed plumber to ensure the proper installation of your heater.
A Real Space-Saver
Do you live in a smaller home? A tankless water heater is ideal for you. It’s much smaller than the conventional ones; you can even install them in walls. Some of the smaller units can even fit in a closet or under a cabinet. The electric-type models also do not produce greenhouse gases which makes them even environment-friendly.
Tankless Heaters Last Twice as Long as Conventional Heaters
Conventional heaters usually last 10 years while tankless systems last twice as long. This means you won’t have to buy another heater after 10 years with a tankless heater and won’t have to hire a plumber to help you install it. The latter may cost more than the conventional ones but it is more energy-efficient which would give you more savings annually. Because a tankless heater only heats on demand, this means it uses less energy compared to the conventional heaters which keep heating and reheating the water.
A note for homeowners: Only hire a licensed plumber in Chester, VA for the proper installation of a tankless heater and to avoid problems down the road.
Tax Credits
Conventional heaters keep heating and reheating the water which means more energy usage. With tankless, you heat water only on demand so it eliminates the “standby loss.” Because it’s more energy-efficient, they qualify for a federal tax credit. In fact, those who buy and install tankless heaters are offered about 10% tax credit by the federal government. This is on the overall cost of purchasing and installing.
Contact a plumber in your area if you plan to install a tankless water heater for your home, or if you have more questions about this water-saving appliance.
Never Run Out of Water Again
If you are a big family, chances are you may run out of hot water with a conventional heater. With a tankless heater, you may never experience this problem so long as not everyone is using hot water at the same time. It’s still a big advantage compared to worrying that you no longer have hot water left in the tank.
Some Drawbacks
One of the biggest disadvantages of a tankless water heater is the cost. They definitely cost more than the conventional heater and you need professional installation by a licensed plumber in Chester, VA to ensure that you won’t have problems in the future.
There are electric tankless heaters but the gas-powered ones produce greenhouse gases which are not good for the environment. Gas units may also require annual maintenance. Like all other appliances, tankless water heaters also have disadvantages but the benefits far outweigh the cons.
It would be best to talk to a licensed plumber so he can discuss with you, in detail, the advantages of installing a tankless system for your home.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
A mineral build-up is one of the problems you may encounter with a tankless system. Talk to your plumber for better options on dealing with hard water. He may ask you to install either a sediment filter to filter out debris before they reach the tank or have you install a water softener. A plumber should be able to discuss with you the advantages of installing both.
Annual maintenance is also needed. A licensed plumber will check the vents for damage or blockages; clean the motor and the fan; test the pressure relief valve, and lubricate the motors. If you plan to do your own maintenance, be careful with the pressure relief valve as it can be extremely hot.
Preventive maintenance will keep your tankless water heater running efficiently. It also ensures that they will last longer.
Call bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Richmond, VA for Water Heater Installation
Our plumbers at bluefrog Plumbing + Drain will make sure that your tankless system is properly installed to avoid problems and to maximize its efficiency. Ignition failure, exhaust blockage and air supply blockage are a few of the common problems of a tankless water heater. We can eliminate this problem with professional installation.
If you need a plumber in Chester, VA, contact bluefrog Plumbing + Drain today for an appointment!
Priority Service