Many of our customers want to save money when it comes to their utility bill and they’re asking us about tankless water heaters. Are you wondering if you need to replace your current water heater with a Phoenix tankless water heater? The experts at Ben Franklin Plumbing AZ want to help you make a wise decision.
There are a few questions that we get a lot. We’d like to address them for you.
- Will the money I save in energy costs offset the expense of purchasing a new unit?
The way it works is that gas tankless water heaters uses high-powered burners to quickly heat water as it runs through a heat exchanger. Consumer Reports says that in their study, “these units were 22% more energy efficient on average than the gas-fired storage-tank models in their tests. That translates into a savings of around $70 to $80 per year, based on 2008 national energy costs.”
- Will I need to upgrade my electrical service to power a whole-house Phoenix tankless water heater?
In the Phoenix valley, this depends on the electrical voltage at the install location. Electric tankless water heaters normally do take a higher amount of electric voltage to allow enough electricity to heat the water so fast. Gas lines are typically already delivering enough gas to correctly install a gas tankless water heater.
- Do tankless water heaters deliver hot water instantaneously?
It takes time to heat the water to the target temperature, and just like storage water heaters, any cold water in the pipes needs to be pushed out. If there’s cool water lingering in your pipes, you’ll receive a momentary “cold-water sandwich” between the old and new hot water. Also, a tankless water heater’s burner might not ignite when you try to get just a trickle of hot water for shaving, for example.
- Does having a tankless water heater mean that I will I lose hot water during a power outage?
Whether you have an electric or has model, both have electric controls that mean you’ll also lose hot water during a power outage. In the Phoenix valley, this is an incredibly rare occurrence.
- What are the upfront costs for getting a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heaters typically cost double or more at first, but can last up to 3-4 times longer, depending on the gas or electrical cost needed to retrofit the correct installation. Tankless models need electrical outlets for their fan and electronics, upgraded gas pipes, and a new ventilation system.
There are many benefits to switching to a tankless water heater that we’ll be talking about in our next post.
As your Phoenix valley plumbing expert, we’d be happy to explain and explore your options with you. Just call us.
