Tankless water heaters have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their cost-saving attributes and energy efficiency, but before you decide to purchase one, you should consider your needs and make sure a tankless system is the best choice for your particular living situation. “If you don’t use a large amount of hot water or if you’re not trying to relocate a water heater to free up space, you should consider sticking with a conventional system,” says Frans Cartwright, owner of Better Water Heaters in San Jose. “However, if you have a house full of people or a Jacuzzi tub that needs to be filled on a regular basis, a tankless water heater is a great investment.”
Mr. Cartwright adds that many people don’t realize that waiting for hot water doesn’t have to be a normal occurrence. “There are many energy-efficient ways to solve the problem of hot water delivery delay, like using certain types of temperature controllers and recirculation systems. By eliminating hot water delay, you can actually save 15 to 20 thousand gallons of water each year.”
Here are some general tips to consider for keeping your tankless water heater operating at its peak potential:
• To extend the life of your water heater, drain the tank annually to remove any sediment that may have built up inside it. Follow the manufacturer’s suggestions and use caution when draining—the water can be extremely hot.
• Setting the water heater’s thermostat to mid- or low-range will prevent interior scalding and save on energy costs while still providing plenty of hot water.
• Purchase a hot water insulation jacket for your water heater—it’ll keep the water heated longer, reduce standby heat loss (heat lost through the walls of the tank) by 25 to 40 percent and further save on heating costs.
• If you have a gas furnace/stove and an electric water heater, consider extending the gas line to the heater to save on energy costs. Electric water heaters cost approximately three times more to run than systems that use natural gas.
• Install water-saving showerheads in your bathrooms and aerated faucets in your sinks. This reduces the amount of hot water used, which in turn reduces energy costs and extends the water heater’s life span.
• Insulate your pipes to reduce heat loss as hot water flows to your faucet. More important, this will reduce standby heat loss when the tap is turned off and back on later. The water in the pipes will eventually cool either way, but if the pipes are insulated, the water will stay warmer for much longer.
• Have your water heater inspected by a certified technician at least once every couple of years. Regular upgrades and repairs will help keep the system in optimal working condition and prevent dangerous carbon monoxide problems.
• Have a certified technician replace the heater’s anode rod every five years or so. This small, metal device sacrifices itself for the good of the entire unit. The corrosive chemicals in the water are drawn to the anode rod instead of eating away at the inside of the tank.
