Las Vegas Tankless Water Heaters

By Author: Vikram Kuamr
Total Articles: 2912
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They're efficient and economical
Heating water accounts for up to 30 percent of the average home's energy budget. Some makers of gas-fired tankless water heaters claim their products can cut your energy costs up to half over regular storage heaters. So is it time to switch? Yes.

Gas tankless water heaters, which use high-powered burners to quickly heat water as it runs through a heat exchanger, were 22 percent more energy efficient on average than the gas-fired storage-tank models in our tests. That translates into a savings of around $90 to $100 per year, based on 2010 national energy costs. But because they cost much more than storage water heaters, it can take up to 15 years to break even—most have a 20-year life span. Moreover, here are some other fine points.

Water runs hot longer

Tankless water heaters provides endless amount of hot water. When you turn on the faucet, tankless models feed in some cold water to gauge how big a temperature rise is needed. If there's cool water lingering in your pipes, you'll receive a momentary "cold-water sandwich" between the old and new hot water.

Tankless ...
... water heaters delivers hot water instantaneously. They can heat the water to the target temperature, however, just like storage water heaters, any cold water in the pipes needs to be pushed out.

Up-front costs are high

The tankless water heaters we tested cost $800 to $1,150, compared with $300 to $480 for the regular storage-tank types. Tankless models need electrical outlets for their fan and electronics, upgraded gas pipes, and a new ventilation system. That can bring average installation costs to $1,200, compared with $300 for storage-tank models.

Tankless units have better warning indicators

During our long-term testing, an indicator on the tankless model warned of scale buildup. Almost all water heater tanks do not have this warning system that extends the life of the tank and keeps energy cost down. Calcium buildup can decrease efficiency, restrict water flow, and damage water heater. We suggest installing a water softener if your water hardness is above 11 grains per gallon.

Efficient storage models are pricey

We also tested a high-efficiency storage water heater by A.O. Smith. The manufacturer claims its installation costs are similar to a regular storage model. Instead, we recommend buying a conventional storage water heater with a 9- or 12-year warranty. In previous tests, we found that those models generally had thicker insulation, bigger burners or larger heating elements, and better corrosion-fighting metal rods called anodes.

The decision whether to get a tankless or traditional water heater can be tough but the remember a tank will leak and flood your garage one day versus a tankless will just not get hot when it comes time to replace it.

Author Bio.

You should use a good water heater Las Vegas company when you want to replace you old water heater. Take a look at Maintenance Pro or Number One Plumbing for a Las Vegas plumbing company.