It’s Winter! Go Tankless!

Actually, anytime of the year is a good time to upgrade your water heating system. We just think winter is the time you would most enjoy an endless hot shower. Tankless water heaters provide unlimited hot water, are much more energy efficient than traditional systems, and can be installed virtually anywhere in your home.

How Do They Work?

Tankless water heaters heat water directly and on demand without the need of a tank to store hot water. When a faucet is turned on, cold water travels through piping in the unit and is heated by either an electric element or gas burner. Tankless water heaters can provide endless hot water at a flow rate of two to five gallons per minute.

Less Space

Tankless water heaters are more compact than standard water heaters taking up very little room. They can even be mounted to the wall which is ideal for homes with limited space. Gas-fired units can measure in the 30-inch high by 20-inch wide range while the electric units are in the 10-inch high by 7-inch wide range. No more tall storage tank taking up space in your garage or basement.

Less Energy Waste

Did you know that traditional tank-type water heaters are the second highest source of energy use in the home? Since water is only heated on demand or when a faucet is turned on, a tankless water heater has no need to stockpile hot water unlike the standard water heater. This means a tankless water heater can use up to 80 percent less energy to heat your water than a traditional system! That can mean huge savings on the annual energy costs for your home.

Installation and Maintenance

Installation does depend on many factors like fuel type, climate, building code and safety issues. It is best to have a qualified plumbing and heating contractor like Bradley Mechanical install your tankless water heater.

Maintenance on a tankless water heater is relatively low. It all depends on the hardness of your water. If you live in an area with very hard water you may need to service the unit once a year. However, in an area where the water is softer you could go four or five years without any maintenance.

The initial cost of a tankless water heater may be more than that of a traditional tank-based water heater, but tankless water heaters will typically last much longer. The average lifespan of a tankless water heater is more than 20 years! In contrast, traditional water heaters only last six to twelve years.

If you are ready to upgrade your home to a tankless water heating system, Bradley Mechanical is your team. We offer a variety of different systems to choose from and can help you find the right one for your home. Our knowledgeable experts can also help you learn more about the installation, repair and maintenance of a tankless water heater. Give us a call today at (804) 748-6728 for more information.