Reduce your power bills with a tankless hot water system

Tankless water heaters are just common sense hot water technology

Reduce your power bills with a tankless hot water system

If you would like to save water, reduce your power bill and not spend so much time waiting for the hot water to pour through your faucet, then a tankless how water system may be the solution you are looking for, depending upon how much water you use in your home.

One of the ways we often waste water is standing by the tap or the shower, waiting for the hot water to come through the pipes. It means that all that cold water goes to waste down the plug hole. Now have a think about where this water comes from, and your thoughts will probably lead to a large tank where water is continually being heated throughout the day and night. This traditional heater has the advantage of rarely breaking down, and if you regularly service it, you’ll be able to spot the parts that need replacing before they wear down too far and cause a leak or, even worse, a large flood. You will not have to worry about bacteria building up if you regularly clean the water heater. However, many people don’t maintain their heater, and don’t bother to clean around the heater, or cover it in insulation, and so it can end up costing money in significant repairs and inefficient running of the system over time.

The primary con associated with it is that it is sizable, meaning that it will take more energy to heat the volume of water. It functions around the clock, regardless of your need for hot water. And if you go away on holiday, for example, and decide to turn it off, it takes a number of hours to reheat and this is an expensive exercise.

There exist a few alternatives, including the tankless hot water heater. This technology has been popular in Europe for several decades, however, they tend to use it in a different way from how it is used in the States. They put a small unit wherever hot water is required, whether that be the clothes washing machine or the shower, etc. The advantage of using the system like this is that the water in the pipes is heated just before it reaches the fixture, which means that a limited amount of water is heated, exactly where it is needed, and for as long as it is needed. Then the system is shut off. However, for a number of reasons this is not always appropriate or available in this country, particularly because the systems are difficult to install where there is not enough room around existing plumbing.

This doesn’t mean that this technology isn’t appropriate for your house. The best idea is to get a professional to come to your home and give you advice on what to choose. It could be that a large system, supplemented by a couple of smaller ones would be ideal. It could also be that you can use it and complement it with a solar water system, and perhaps even underfloor heating, and between these three options, you create an ideal heating environment whereby you save significant amounts of money, have on-demand hot water, and keep your house warm all year round. The professional could recommend, however, that given the volume of frequency of water usage, it would be better to retain the regular tank and simply add on one or a couple tankless ones where hot water is frequently used.

In summary, it’s a fantastic piece of plumbing equipment, but you should work out the total volume of hot water you use and ensure it will meet all your needs before replacing your existing heater.

Scott Rodgers is a plumber who has recently begun writing articles for both a plumbing and non-plumbing audience. To view more of plumbing articles, visit http://eLocalPlumbers.com