If you are trying to find areas to save money on your monthly electric bill, you could be in hot water. The cost savings could be found in the type of water heater you have in your Tampa Bay home. If you have a family, take multiple daily showers, and do a few loads of laundry every week, the amount of money you spend on hot water can be pretty high.
When it comes to energy consumption, water heaters make up between 15 – 20 percent of your home’s energy usage on average. That’s more than all other household appliances combined! It may be time to take a look at your water heater and determine if a tankless water heater is an energy saving option.
What do we mean by tankless water heater?
A tankless water heater also sometimes called a demand-type water heater, generates hot water only when needed. That compares to a regular storage water heater that keeps a tank of hot water on standby.
How does a tankless water heater work?
When a hot water tap is turned on, water enters the water heater through a pipe. That water is then heated using a gas burner or electric unit. Gas-fired tankless water heaters can produce 2-5 gallons of hot water per minute. Homes that have a greater demand for hot water can utilize two or more tankless water heaters connected in parallel to meet demand. Or you can install a tankless water heater dedicated to specific appliances like the dishwasher. Some types of tankless water heaters have their own thermostat so you can control and vary the temperature of the water they produce.
Is a tankless water heater right for your Tampa Bay home?
Answering this question requires an examination of your water bill. If your home uses less than 41 gallons of hot water each day, then a tankless water heater can be 24-34 percent more energy efficient than a conventional storage tank, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. In homes that use 86 gallons per day, a tankless water heater can be 8-14 percent more energy efficient. You can achieve even greater energy savings of 27%–50% if you install a tankless water heater at each hot water outlet.
While the initial cost of installation for a tankless water heater may be more expensive, it has proven to have a longer operating life of more than 20 years and of course saves homeowners money on their energy bill. The U.S. Department of Energy has a tool to help you calculate the annual operating cost of your water heater to help determine which is most cost efficient for you. You can find that tool on how to calculate your savings here.
Changing the way your hot water is produced is only one factor to lowering your energy bills. Fixing leaks, washing clothes in cold water, using low flow toilets, and purchasing energy efficient appliances can also help make a difference on your monthly savings.
Benefits of the tankless water heater system
- Longer lifespan than traditional water heater
- Reduced flooding risk because there is no large storage tank full of water
- Reduced space needed for installation
- On demand water means hot water is instant
- Consistency of water temperature
- Energy saving for hot water production in your home
- Adds to the overall value of your property
Tampa Bay homes with tankless water heaters should have a water softener
If you decide to call Cass Plumbing and install a tankless water heater, you should also consider getting a home water softener if you don’t already have one. A water softener will prolong the life of your tankless water heater. Don’t worry, Cass Plumbing has you covered there too. We are known as Tampa Bay’s water softener experts!
Your Tampa Bay plumbing professionals at Cass Plumbing can help you evaluate the pros and the cons to getting a tankless water heater for your specific situation. We will provide options for you. Call Cass Plumbing today for all of your water heater installation and repair needs.
