Upgrading to a Tankless Water Heater
Written on: November 20, 2023
Unlimited hot water and lower energy bills? You can have it all!
If you had to guess what energy expenses took the biggest bite out of your wallet, you might think it’s heating or cooling your home. Most homeowners are surprised to know that water heaters can represent as much as 30% of their energy bills.
In fact, between bathing and showering, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning and other tasks, the typical American household is paying to heat between 60 and 65 gallons of hot water a day. That’s why an efficient heating and cooling system is important, but it’s just as important to look for peak efficiency when it comes to heating water, too.
While any new water heater will be more efficient than older technology, for super-high efficiency and savings, you should also weigh your options and consider going tankless.
What’s a Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless propane water heaters (also known as demand water heaters) instantly heat water when you need it, rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time. Imagine having virtually unlimited hot water, while seeing lower fuel bills! It’s possible, with a high-efficiency tankless water heater. In addition to whole-house models, smaller versions can be installed where they are needed to generate hot water for an addition or for a spa tub, for example.
5 Reasons to Go Tankless
- Unlimited hot water: Traditional tank heaters can run out of hot water if you use a lot at once. Tankless water heaters use an electric pilot and a hot propane flame to heat water instantly on demand.
- Improved Efficiency: Tankless water heaters save energy by instantly heating water when you need it, rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time.
- Save Money: All that efficiency means you’ll save money by lowering your energy costs by as much as 40%.
- Flexibility: With no storage tank, a tankless water heater is small – even whole-house sizes take considerably less room than a 55-gallon tank. Most are about the size of a suitcase. These units can also be wall-mounted, which means a tankless water heater can be placed just about anywhere in the house, including closets and crawl spaces.
- Longer equipment life: The primary culprit in the limited lifespan of a conventional water heater is the corrosive water stored in its tank. Because it doesn’t store water, a tankless water heater will last 18 to 20 years. (Compare that to 10 to 12 for a traditional tank type water heater.)
The Bottom Line
How old is your water heater? If your traditional tank-style water heater is hitting the decade mark, you may be seeing higher energy bills, and water that just doesn’t seem to get as hot. And nobody likes to start the day with a lukewarm shower!
While a tankless water heater will cost more up front than replacing a less-efficient tank-type system, it will cost a lot less to run over the long term—heating water quickly and reliably every day for years.
Want to learn more about the benefits of a tankless water heater for your home? The pros at Pico can help you choose the best option for your needs and your budget. Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new water heater! Contact us today to get started.
