You’ve probably experienced the dreadful feeling of a cold shower in the morning – the unwanted result of being the last in your family to take a shower before rushing out the door in the morning. Although you can buy a bigger water heater tank, consider switching over to a tankless water heater instead.
Unlike their tank counterparts, tankless water heaters are extremely efficient and offer a virtually endless supply of hot water for bathing, cooking, and cleaning. The licensed plumbers at Mission Mechanical can provide a comprehensive range of plumbing services for your Indianapolis, IN area home, including tankless water heater installation. Reach out to us today to make an appointment.
What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
Although tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, became more common during the 1990s, many homeowners are still not as familiar with this water heater type.
You’re probably familiar with how traditional tank water heaters operate. They store water in a large tank that can typically hold about 50 gallons of water. They must continuously heat the water in the tank so it’s ready when you need it. This can use up a lot of electricity or natural gas, making tank models less efficient than their tankless counterparts.
Tankless models, on the other hand, heat water on demand. When you turn on a hot water tap, the water passes through a heat exchanger, where it is immediately heated by a gas burner or electric heating element. This makes them incredibly energy efficient which can save a significant amount on your monthly energy bills.
What Are the Benefits of Installing a Tankless Water Heater?
Some of the many benefits of switching to a tankless water heater model include:
Improved Energy Efficiency
We mentioned tankless water heaters are more efficient than tank models, but by how much? Since tankless models only heat water when needed, they are up to 34% more efficient than tank units, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. This can save Indianapolis homeowners up to 40% on their energy bills.
Longer System Lifespan
Although tank water heaters cost less, you’ll recoup much of the costs of a tankless system through lower energy bills and a longer lifespan. While a tank water heater lasts about 10-12 years on average, a tankless unit has a lifespan of up to 20 years, providing you with several more years of use before you need to replace it.
A Continuous Supply of Hot Water
If you run out of hot water in your tank unit, it can take 30-40 minutes or more to reheat the water, which is extremely inconvenient if you’re waiting to take a shower before you head to work. You’ll never have that issue with a tankless hot water heater since it provides hot water on demand, meaning you have an almost endless supply of hot water.
Requires Little Space
As you know, tank water heaters are big and bulky, taking up a lot of space in your Indianapolis area home. Tankless water heaters, meanwhile, leave a much smaller footprint to free up storage space. They can be installed in areas where a traditional tank water heater wouldn’t fit.
Signs You Need to Replace Your Tankless Water Heater
Although tankless water heaters are durable and long-lasting, like all plumbing equipment, they eventually do need to be replaced. Some of the most obvious signs include:
- Age. Well-maintained tankless water heaters can often last 15-20 years. Once they reach and exceed this age range, they can start to deteriorate and break down, leading to a complete loss of hot water.
- Leaks. Just like a tank model, tankless water heaters too can develop leaks over time that can eventually lead to significant water damage if the appropriate repair or replacement is not performed in a timely manner. After years of use, tankless water heaters can leak at the bottom or near joints.
- Reduced Performance. If your tankless water heater is producing limited hot water, it’s a likely sign that it has become inefficient or your unit isn’t properly sized for the amount of hot water you use. A drop in hot water pressure, meanwhile, may signal deposits inside the heat exchanger that have clogged the system.
- Strange Noises. Strange noises such as popping or hissing sounds could indicate a buildup of minerals in the systems. A licensed plumber can inspect the unit and determine whether it needs to be repaired or replaced.
- Rising Water or Energy Bills. A sudden increase in your home’s water or electricity bills could be related to your hot water heater. Contact a plumber to inspect the unit.
Professional Tankless Water Heater Installation in Indianapolis, IN
Many homeowners don’t realize how much they count on a continuous supply of hot water until it’s gone due to a broken down water heater. Whether your current hot water heater needs to be replaced or you’d like to switch to a tankless model, turn to the licensed plumbers at Mission Mechanical for tankless water heater installation in Indianapolis, IN. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.