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Bath tub with candles and a glass of wine

Most water heaters function by running cold water through a pipe into the heater, where an electric element or gas burner heats it. A conventional style water heater stores as many as 50 gallons of heated water and continuously uses energy to keep heating the water and maintain the correct temperature. An instant water heater directs water through a metal coil and only heats it as you need it, conserving energy since there is no large reserve and the heating element is only on when hot water is flowing. On average, tankless heaters use 25% less energy and can save the average homeowner hundreds of dollars per year in gas or electric charges.

 

Tankless water heaters have been around since the 1920s and became readily available in the 1970s, but they have just recently become popular in the last thirty years. In the 1990s, tankless water heaters (or instant water heaters) gained popularity as their efficiency increased. Bargersville homeowners became more aware that they could have hot water on demand whenever it was needed. Additional benefits of upgrading your water heater include decreased energy use, a seemingly endless supply of hot water, and a much smaller footprint to save space. Read on for more details about the increasingly popular home upgrade. 

 

The first benefit is endless hot water. Nothing is worse than the water in your shower cooling off, eventually feeling like freezing rain as you run out of hot water and still need to wash off. Most tank-style water heaters take 45 minutes or longer to recover, and as they age, that time only increases. In contrast, a tankless water heater heats water continuously instead of a specified amount, ensuring that everyone’s shower is hot from start to finish whether they take a 5-minute or a 5-hour shower.  

 

The next significant benefit is the size or lack of it. Whole-house tankless water heaters are as small as 18 inches wide and 28 inches tall, can fit almost anywhere and are typically installed on the wall. This frees up floor space underneath and around the unit since traditional water heaters are 24 inches in diameter and 60 inches tall. 

 

Tankless water heaters generally last twice as long as a conventional water heater, with a life expectancy of 20 years or more, compared to 8 or 10 years. This is mainly because there is no water storage tank and, therefore, less standing water inside, allowing for corrosion and micro-cracks to form on the unit. Another reason for the unusual longevity is the abundance of easily replaceable parts compared to storage tank water heaters that only have a couple of replaceable parts.

 

To summarize, instant hot water is available to more Plainfield homeowners looking to upgrade their hot water service. While tankless water heater technology has been around for 100 years, it became popular in the 1990s, and on-demand hot water technology continues to evolve every day.

If you are considering a water heater replacement, or need a tankless water heater installed, contact the professionals at Kellie Plumbing for a no-obligation quote. Our team of experts will safely install your new water heater properly and ensure it serves you for years to come.