Water Heaters & Tankless Water Heater
Serving Sauk, Columbia, Adams and Juneau Counties
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Water Heaters & Tankless Water Heater Installation
Hot water heaters are used to heat water for a variety of different purposes including showers, dishwashers, sinks, and clothes washers. Many water heaters store the heated water in a tank but there are other models gaining popularity, such as tankless water heaters. How these water heaters work is that they heat water instantly as it flows through the water heater. The heating process of the cold water that flows through the unit is stopped when you no longer are using hot water.
When should I replace my water heater?
Usually, it is suggested that you replace your conventional water heater 8-12 years after you first install it. For tankless models, they can last over 20 years. Besides lifespan, the other signs that you should replace your water heater includes when it becomes more costly to repair the unit versus replacing it and when it begins to show signs of failure. For a more accurate estimate on when you should replace your water heater, you can check the warranty on the unit.
What water heater size does my household need?
Your water heater size will be determined by how many people are in the household, how much hot water is being used, and how many fixtures that use hot water are present in the house. For a 1-2 person household, you will want a water heater that holds up to 30 gallons. For a household of 2-4 people, you will want a water heater that holds 38-40 gallons of water. If you have a household of 2-5 people, you will want a conventional water heater with a tank size of 47-50 gallons. If your household has 5 or more people, you will want to search for a water heater that has a tank size of 55+ gallons. A benefit of choosing a tankless water heaters is that they have an endless supply of hot water, so there is no need to ponder on what tank size will best suit your needs. Instead, tankless water heats are sized by their flow rate, which indicates how much hot water they can deliver at once. A good flow rate for a tankless water heater ranges from 7 to 9 gallons per minute for your typical household.
What are the benefits of a tankless water heater?
While most homes have a conventional tank water heater, tankless water heaters have become increasingly popular due to their outstanding benefits. Unlike your traditional water heaters, tankless models heat your water on demand so they can produce an unlimited amount of hot water. Since tankless water heaters only heat as much water as you need, they are also extremely energy efficient in comparison to traditional water heaters which heats water continuously. They also have an extended lifespan in comparison to conventional water heaters. Tankless water heaters can have a lifespan of 20 years with proper maintenance while traditional water heaters only last around 10 years. Another benefit of having a tankless water heater is that they take up much less space than traditional water heaters. Since tankless water heaters don’t store any actual water, there is no need for them to have a large tank. Instead, the average size for tankless water heaters are only 28 inches tall, 20 inches wide, and 10 inches deep. In terms of maintenance, tankless water heaters also don’t require maintenance as much as the traditional models. While conventional heaters need to be maintained every year or even every six months, tankless water heaters can continue to function well for two years without needing to be serviced depending on the hardness of the water in your area.