tankless water heatersIf it’s time to replace your home’s water heater, it might be worth considering a tankless water heater. Along with saving energy by reducing standby losses, tankless units provide instantaneous hot water, so there’s no more waiting for the shower to warm before stepping in.

How Tankless Units Work

As the name implies, a tankless water heater doesn’t have a tank like the traditional water heaters. Instead, a smaller unit is attached to the outside wall, not far from the plumbing pipes of the kitchen or bathroom. The cold water moves into the heating unit when the hot water tap is turned on. The water is heated immediately and sent on to the hot water faucet.

If several appliances require hot water at the same time, more than one tankless unit may be needed, depending on the size of the home and the location of the kitchen and bathrooms.

How Tankless Water Heaters Save

A conventional water heater with a tank must first fill up with cold water, which then has to be heated and kept warm. A water tank requires continual heat to keep the water warm and that requires a power source. A pilot light is necessary in both gas tank and tankless heaters. Less power is needed to heat water in a tankless unit, however, since these units don’t store water.

Although a tankless heater can cost more than a conventional storage tank, it has a life expectancy of 15 to 20 years, compared to the water tank, which is usually good for 10 to 12 years.

A tankless water heater should be installed by a professional plumber familiar with the system and safety procedures. The Rheem Pro Partner can help homeowners in and around the metro Denver area and Colorado Springs, as well as Casper and Cheyenne, Wyoming.

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