Does installation of a gas tankless water heater save your money?

Posted on 10:45am Thursday 1st Oct 2020

Everyone is looking for ways to save more money. This has led to a lot of interest in how you can make your home more energy-efficient. As a result, a lot of people have started to install a tankless water heater. But what is this system and does it really save you money?

How does a gas tankless water heater work?

Let’s start by talking about how a system like this would work. When you turn on the tap, the water will start to travel through the pipes. There, it will be heated by either a gas burner or an electric heater. This is different from other heating models, where the water is kept heated in a tank until it’s ready to be used. Because of this, a gas tankless water heater can deliver a continuous flow of hot water.

What are the benefits of this system?

There are plenty of reasons why someone might want to consider installing a system like this in their home. First, it doesn’t require a lot of space. This is perfect for people who might be living in a smaller home or building and don’t have the area to put a large water tank. Also, when the system does need to be replaced, you might have a lower environmental impact. With a tanked model, the huge tank will need to be sent to a landfill if it can’t be recycled.

Another big benefit is that you’ll have water whenever you need it. This system can deliver hot water instantly. This saves you time, as you don’t need to wait for the tank to warm up. This also ensures that you will be wasting less water. You also won’t need to worry about running out of hot water.

It should also be noted that tankless water heaters tend to have a lot longer warranty. This ensures that you will have more protection if something goes wrong. This can deliver a lot of peace of mind to the consumer, as you know that you’ll be able to get any problems fixed.

It’s still a good idea to read through the warranty before you purchase the product. This tells you what kind of things are covered, and which situations aren’t.

Are there any drawbacks to a gas tankless water heater?

One of the biggest potential issues is that this system might struggle with a larger house. If you want to use hot water in the shower, while filling the sink, and running the dishwasher it might not be able to cope with demand.

Thankfully, there is an easy solution. Simply add a second gas tankless heater. This will double the amount of water flow that you receive.

Also, they might be a little more expensive than the traditional tanked models. You will also need to spend more time plumbing the system in. How difficult this process will be can depend on the type of house that you have.

However, gas tankless systems last longer. In most cases, they will be able to last for around 20 years without needing to be replaced. In contrast, a tanked heater might only last for 10 years before it breaks. When these models fail, they risk flooding your home.

Will a gas tankless water heater save me money?

As we mentioned, though they last longer, a gas tankless water heater is more expensive than the tanked model. So, will it end up saving your family money? In most cases, the answer will be yes. There are a few reasons for this. First, it will be more energy-efficient. It’s estimated that gas tankless water heaters are between 24 to 31 percent more efficient than the traditional tanked heaters. This can increase if you plan on installing a gas tankless heater at each hot water outlet. The larger your family, the more water you’ll be using, the more money you’ll be saving.

Another reason why these models can help save you money is that you’ll be able to get hot water almost instantly. This ensures that you won’t need to waste 20 to 30 seconds of water waiting for it to get up to temperature. The bigger your household, the more water you will be able to save.

An added benefit is you’ll also be able to reduce your environmental impact. Tanked models tend to waste a lot of energy. This can be seen in the higher electricity bills. It also impacts on the environment, as you’ll need to consume more resources to power the device. On the other hand, a tankless gas heater will make you more energy efficient, making your home more environmentally friendly.

What are the signs I need to replace my water heater?

You may wish to opt for a gas tankless water heater once your existing heater needs replacing. These are the signs your water heater needs replacing:

Variable water temperature
Leaks in your water heater tank
Strange rumbling or popping noises
Frequently running out of hot water
Red or brown water or flecks of sediment

Conclusion

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how a tankless water heater works. As we’ve seen, this system has the potential to improve your energy efficiency. By doing this, you’ll be able to save a lot of money. It’s estimated that switching to this system can save you around £85 per year while making you more environmentally friendly.

However, you should be aware that these are long-term benefits. As a result, this system might not be right for everyone. If you are interested in this area and want to learn more, you should read this helpful gas tankless water heater analysis.