Tankless hot water heater installation

Did you know that a significant portion of your electric bill is wasted on inefficient water heating methods? What if you could invest in a water heater that recoups its investment within a year and a half? If so, watch the video below and learn how!

Now before you go buying a tankless water heater, here are some things you should know.

1) Gas tankless water heaters are not instantaneous

The biggest misconception people have about tankless water heaters is that they instantaneously provide hot water at the tap. But that's not how they work.

Tankless water heaters don't use any gas until you turn on a faucet. Once that happens, an activation signal is sent to the heater, it turns on, and begins heating water. Depending on how far away your faucet is from the heater, hot water may take seconds or a minute to arrive. But it will eventually get to you. So rather than instantaneous, a more accurate description would be on-demand heaters, because they begin heating when you need it.

Once you're finished with the hot water, the faucet is turned off, the heater is automatically deactivated, and gas is no longer used...at least until someone turns on hot water.

2) Tankless water heaters are up to 97% energy efficient

As explained in the video above, traditional water heaters that use a tank, are working around the clock whether you need heated water or not. Once the water drops below a certain temperature (which is typically set to 120℉), the burner comes back on and electricity (or gas) is used to re-heat the water. This is very inefficient especially during the wee hours of the morning when most people sleep.

In contrast, tankless water heaters only work when the tap has been activated. Otherwise they remain dormant, which doesn't cost you a dime. This on-demand functionality makes them up to 97% energy efficient and can save you hundreds of dollars annually on your utility bill.

3) Tankless water heaters are mounted outdoors and save interior space

Traditional tank water heaters typically occupy a 3x3 or 4x4 square in people's garages or a closet. They take up 9 to 16 square feet of space. But tankless water heaters that we recommend are made to go outside. Homeowners with limited space love this benefit.

Our technicians bolt them onto outdoor walls with masonry anchors and Tapcon® screws. about 5 feet off the ground. Don't worry, it would take a lot of time and effort for a thief to steal one. In addition, they're durable devices that can withstand the elements, even hurricanes. I (Mike) have been installing these heaters in Southwest Florida for over 40 years. These units have endured Hurricanes Charley, Wilma, and Irma and not a single one was torn off a wall.

4) What's the best tankless water heater?

Many manufactures make tankless water heaters. Rheem, Takagi, Stiebel Eltron, EcoSmart, and Rinnai, are just a few that make some electric and some gas powered heaters. We recommend Navien® water heaters for the following reasons:

Made of a cold rolled carbon steel casing and with stainless steel heat exchangers, they are durable and resist outdoor elements.
They have competitive warranties on labor, parts, and heat exchangers.
Commercial and residential models with variable flow rates are available.
Has a .96 uniform energy factor (UEF) rating using liquid propane or natural gas, which is exceptionally high and results in energy and dollar savings.

5) What are the disadvantages of tankless water heaters?

With so many advantages, you may wonder why home builders still install traditional water heaters. The reason is simple: MONEY. Tankless water heaters have a higher initial investment than their counterparts and installation can cost up to twice as much as a traditional heater. If you have a growing family, water flow may become a problem if you currently have a smaller model with a low flow rate.

The answer to these disadvantages is to 1) remember that you will recoup your initial investment within 2 years. Most of our clients recover the cost of the device and labor within a year and a half. And 2) if you plan on having children and growing your family, install a heater with a high flow rate.

We have a wealth of knowledge about these products and if you have any questions or would like a consultation, please reach out to us.