Tankless Water Heaters vs Conventional Storage Units
Homeowners all over the world are feeling the brunt of the increased cost of living. Finding ways in which you can save money is only natural. Water heaters account for approximately 20% of the average household’s monthly energy consumption often ranking it the most expensive energy consumption of all the appliances. Because of this families are seeking ways in which to make their water heaters more efficient and cost-effective. Going ‘tankless’ has become one of the more economical trends. Find out what this means as we compare the conventional storage water heater to the tankless rival to determine the best efficient water heater.
How Does the Tankless Design Work?
The largest difference between the conventional water heater and the tankless system is that there is no tank to store the water. This might seem confusing at first, but it is a very smart design. Instead of storing and heating water, the tankless system only heats water when the tap is opened. Also referred to as the ‘on-demand system’, the basis truly implies that the consumer will receive heated water when they have a demand for it. No storage or heating makes this a spatially conscious design and allows for major cutbacks on costs to keep water heated.
Is the Tankless Design More Efficient?
The tankless water heater system is more efficient in homes using less than 155 liters of hot water per day and can result in a saving of up to 34% when compared to conventional storage units. Those who use more than 325 liters per day can expect an additional increase in efficiency of up to 14%. However, for values between 155 and 325 liters, a conventional water heater might operate more efficiently based on its ability to retain heat.
A Longer Life Expectancy
Water heaters are costly regardless of the type that you are considering. Making the purchase will make a dent in your savings which is why you want to ensure that the type you get is efficient with a long-life expectancy. While conventional storage water heaters only last from ten to fifteen years, a tankless system can last for a minimum of twenty years. This will give you a good two decades of more efficient water and energy consumption.
Purchase and Installation
While there is no denying that buying and fitting the tankless water heater are definitely higher than that of the conventional unit, the potential for savings far outweighs the initial cost. If you have a large family or have high hot water usage, then the tankless design will save you significant amounts of electric or gas in your month-to-month consumption. Especially since the system can last a minimum of twenty years, you have a long time to enjoy the cost-savings.
What Is the Verdict?
The tankless design is definitely more energy-efficient particularly in households where either very little hot water is used or a lot of hot water. With a long-life expectancy and general month-to-month savings, a higher upfront payment is not unreasonable. If you can afford this system, it is even advisable to fit one to each hot water outlet to further your saving ability. Get your tankless system today and start saving!