Our water heaters, what would we ever do without them? They provide hot water to wash our clothes, shower, shave, and wash our dishes. Without our water heaters, we might as well be living in a campground. Of course, our storage tank heaters have come a long way, and the latest technologies have not passed on them. But tankless water heaters can’t be beaten regarding on-demand water, space savers, and overall appearance when sitting in your garage.
There Are Differing Points Of View On How Much A Consumer Can Save
According to Greenbuilder.com, the average savings per year on energy costs is $178. But again, the article didn’t take into account the amount of water saved. Furthermore, the article went on to say that the savings per year would not cover the cost of the equipment and installation over the life of the product. Although, some have different opinions; for example, according to the Department of Energy, an electric tankless water heater decreases expenditures by $44 per year, and a natural gas-powered tankless water heater would save around $100 annually on energy.
Unfortunately, None Of The Comparisons Spoke About The Amount Of Water You Could Potentially Save
One of the savings the report didn’t consider was the amount of water saved by going tankless. This could impact your water savings in a drought-ridden area like Murrieta or Temecula, CA.
Many companies have studied the benefits and savings of tankless water heaters vs. storage heaters. After pondering many articles, I found that Consumerreport.org has the comparison you might be looking for. Unfortunately, none of the comparisons spoke regarding the amount of water you would save or the environmental benefits. Instead, the focus was on energy and installation costs, not water conservation.
Run A Test In Your Own Home
I decided I would run my own test. We have a home of 3500 square feet; our four bedrooms are upstairs, and our guest bedroom is downstairs. Each morning I wait for the water to heat up in the shower. I took a five-gallon bucket and held it over my shower head till the water became warm. I measured it. The amount of water lost was over two gallons in the master bedroom alone. I understand this is not a perfect science; every home will be different. However, I could take a reasonable guess and say that the water loss in my home with two teens and two adults is 6 to 8 gallons per day in showering. That equates to 2172 to 2896 gallons of water per year.
The Pros Of Tankless Water Heaters:
- Instantaneous hot water
- Time – No more waiting for water
- Save on water – No more H2O running down your drain
- Space – Takes up less than half the space
- Save on energy – Helps our environment
The Cons to going Tankless:
- The cost is double that of a storage water heater.
- Installation cost varies depending on your home.
- It May require more maintenance depending on how hard your water is.
What this boils down to is this: If you were strictly basing your decision on cost, I would get a conventional storage water heater. However, if I were basing my decision on the environment, convenience, and water conservation, I would go tankless.
Spoil Yourself and Family With A New Navian Tankless Heater
Are you ready to spoil yourself and your family with a new tankless water heater? The fact is they are a luxury. Big B’s Plumbing recommends the Navian® brand of tankless water heaters. We’re certified installers for many tankless brands, including Navian. Murrieta Plumbing has served the Inland Empire for over a decade, including Murrieta, Temecula, Menifee, Wildomar, Lake Elsinore, and Canyon Lake. So call today you’ll always get the service you need and deserve.
