Tankless water heaters are one of the many innovations that have come in the wave of new technology aimed at improving energy efficiency. What sets it apart is, instead of heat and reheating water to maintain its heat, tankless water heaters use gas burners or electric coils to heat water instantly. The process of instant heating requires slightly more power, but only for a moment since the water does not have to be heated repeatedly to maintain a constant temperature. This will ultimately save you both energy and money (very important, as water-heating is, on average, the second most expensive utility in the US).
Consumer reports found that gas-powered tankless water heaters were 22% more efficient in their overall performance when compared to traditional water heaters. Despite the clear benefits of tankless water heaters, it is important to evaluate your living situation before investing in one of these units. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type, some of which we will discuss below.
What are the Pros and Cons of Having a Tankless Water Heater?
The pros of having a tankless water heater over a traditional water heater include:
Even with all these benefits, it is important that you thoroughly investigate the potential disadvantages of owning a tankless water heater. Not everyone has the same living situation, and some may find that owning such a unit is more of a drawback than anything else (although such circumstances are few and far between). That said, here are a few potential cons of owning a tankless water heater:
What to Consider When Shopping for a Tankless Water Heater
Now that you know the many advantages of tankless water heaters, you need to consider how this new unit would fit into your lifestyle. Some questions to ask yourself include:
Once you decide that a tankless water heater is the right choice for you, you will need to decide whether you prefer an electric or natural gas unit. Each of them has its own challenges with regards to installation, especially when considering the process of retrofitting the unit to the home. Still, electric tankless heaters are 99% efficient in functionality compared to 60% efficiency for natural gas models. (Though that may sound low, even at 60%, natural gas tankless water heaters still operate at 23% greater efficiency than even the worst traditional electric water heaters.)
Though you can generally expect tankless water heaters to be offered with long-term warranties (an average of 15 years versus a typical 6-year warranty for traditional models), electric tankless water heaters do not qualify for rebates or Energy Star ratings. Gas-powered units, on the other hand, qualify for federal tax rebates of up to $300, along with many state incentives.
Get Your Tankless Water Heater Installed by an Expert Plumber in Chicago
If you are a resident of Chicago and have made the decision to purchase a tankless water heater, congratulations! This is a huge step in improving the energy efficiency of your home and a stronger financial future. Now that you've got your unit, the next step is to have it installed by an expert plumber. It can be difficult to pin down high-quality plumbers in Chicago, but Narwhal Plumbing has got you covered.
Not only do we provide water heater installation in Chicago - we also offer services including:
We also cover a wide variety of general repairs needed on the plumbing in your home or business. Our licensed plumbers are available 24 hours a day – so whether you need an emergency repair in the early morning or a simple afternoon checkup for preventative maintenance, Narwhal Plumbing is ready to help. We are Top Rated Commercial and Residential Plumbing Company in Chicago and Northern Suburbs.
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