What El Paso Homeowners Ought to Know About Tankless Water Heaters: Some Fun Facts
Do you find yourself without hot water in the middle of a shower? Is that large tank in your garage putting a dent in your wallet? And is a tankless water heater as good as all the talk would have you believe?
We get asked such questions from homeowners in El Paso on a regular basis, so do not think you are alone in wondering. As a family and veteran owned plumbing firm in the Greater El Paso area, Sun City Plumbers can put those tankless water heaters in perspective for you. Call (915) 308-8899 to have a conversation about what is available.
There is a reason tankless water heaters are all the rage these days. They are not like the old fashioned tanks one is accustomed to. We will share a few facts here that may come as a surprise.
On-Demand Heating
Consider this. A conventional tank will hold 40 or 50 gallons of hot water day and night, use it or not. With a tankless model the water is heated on demand as it goes through the system, so there is no oversized tank in your home to bleed off its heat. In fact they are referred to as “instantaneous” water heaters for this very purpose; the water comes in contact with the gas burner or heating element and is warm in seconds.
Not as New as You May Believe
It is easy to think of tankless as a newfangled thing. Yet the notion of running water over a coil to be heated at once has been around since the 1800s. The technology within has evolved of course. Today’s units are much more dependable and efficient in their design.
Longevity
You can expect a traditional tank to give you 10 to 15 years. A tankless unit, if you look after it, will often see 20 or more. There is simply no tank to rust out on you. Then again, maintenance is key. Hard water is part and parcel of life in El Paso and the minerals will take their toll on any water heater. Flush it regularly and the tankless unit will serve you well.
Hot Water That Does Not Quit
Then there is the matter of an endless supply. Since the heater is warming the water in transit you are not at the mercy of what is in storage. Shower, put in a load of laundry and run the dishwasher and you will not be left waiting for a tank to reheat, provided the unit is of the right size for your home. Make no mistake, a unit too small for a busy house will have trouble when you have more than one fixture going.
A Smaller Footprint
Wall mounted and no bigger than a suitcase, most tankless heaters are a far cry from the space a tank commandeers in your utility room or garage. If you want to get some square footage back, the smaller profile is a definite plus.
Where the Energy Savings Lie
Many of our customers put it down to lower energy bills. A tankless does not have to keep reheating what is in reserve, which is why it is deemed more efficient. How much you save will be a function of your household’s hot water consumption but the absence of standby heat loss is telling.
Some things to consider before making the change:
- Maintenance and flushing are a must given the hard water in El Paso
- Get the sizing right to accommodate multiple fixtures
- Gas and electric present different installation requirements
- You will pay more up front for a tankless
- Have a pro install it to safeguard your investment
Installation Considerations
As a rule you can not just put in a tankless in place of a tank. A gas unit might call for a larger line and other venting, while an electric one could require an upgrade to your electrical. You want a qualified plumber to make sure it is done properly.
Frank Perry, who has 30 years of combat experience in the Marine Corps Reserve and is a former Battalion Chief with the El Paso Fire Department, founded Sun City Plumbers. We are A+ BBB accredited and we put that kind of experience to work in every home we are called to. We are also pleased to extend a 5% discount to first responders and military. Our service covers the whole of Greater El Paso, from Fort Bliss to Fabens, Socorro, Horizon, Anthony and Canutillo.
For a straight answer on your present setup or to discuss a tankless water heater, give us a ring at (915) 308-8899. We are at your disposal from 8:00am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday.
