Tankless electric water heater can typically be used in home which does not have a hot-water tank, or which has a hot-water/steam home-heating system which doubles up the heating function of water for the taps.
Such a heating process is accomplished with the boiler which has a water heater. The electric water heater functions when the coil of pipe is connected on the one side to the cold water supply and on the side to the hot-water delivery piping.
Simultaneously, the boiler performs the twin functions of warming up the home and flow of the hot water to the taps from the electric water heater. Apart from boiler-mounted electric water heater tankless units, stand-alone ones as gas-fired instantaneous water heaters are also available. Similar to that of boiler mounted units, the instantaneous ones also does not use energy to maintain the heat and fires only when hot water is required.
An instantaneous electric water heater functions with a coil and heat exchange. Among the two, instantaneous water heater would have a lower rating because of its lower flow rate when compared with a boiler mounted system and consequently it may not serve the purpose during periods of high demand. The cost of maintenance of water heater is negligible because they use it heats water only when it is used. But it has limitations too.
There is a necessity to install a cold-water mixing valve to avoid burning because the hot water generated through an tankless water heater is far hotter than required. It is by far more useful in the winter months due to the fact that the boiler is used more often than the summer months during which time using electric water heater is less productive. There is comparable with the tank type heater in one respect, viz, that both are designed to generate a specific heating rate.
Installing an electric hot water heater makes sense as it is the best example of pay as you use. It dispenses away with the need to maintain a reservoir of 120-130 degree water besides instantaneously boosting the water temperature as it starts to flow through the unit. Add at least twice the ten year life span of tanked one; an electric hot water heater tank is the ideal choice of an individual and all the more better for a family. A gas water heater adds more to the clean environment because it is estimated to produce 45% less carbon footprint and all the cheaper to run.
The return on investment is a major criterion for any household who plans to buy an electric hot water heater with a tankless feature. While no precise estimates are available, experiences show it to vary between 50 and 80 %. More important are the benefits a household may derive by exchanging the old tank heater for a tankless one. In addition to this, one has to add the current tax credits available. They all collectively would go in leveling out the high initial investment costs, but, the real savings in using electric hot water could be seen in the operating costs. Whereas, on an annual basis, it is estimated at over $700, the figure is almost half at $350 for an hot water heater and the savings that may accrue over a long period because of the longer life span of an electric water heater could be as high as $7000. With no significant difference in the installation costs and significantly lower standby costs, an electric water heater is a recommended choice for everybody. Once you go with this option you’ll wonder why you never went with it before and thank yourself for a long time to come.
What is the actual cost of an electric tankless water heater?
The fundamental question that creeps into the minds of the consumers relate to the point as to whether the tankless electric water heater Mississauga is worth the investments. While a categorical yes or no answer cannot be given for there is no universal principles that operate in going in for them, yet, it is but natural for anybody to explore the alternatives available in the current technological developments, coupled with fast life styles and space constraints. Rough estimates suggest that 30% of a household’s recurring budget should be allocated to heating costs. In this context, the claims of the electric water heaters manufacturers indeed tempt everyone. But, unfortunately, no national level surveys are available to document clearly the benefits of water heater, mainly because of the fact that they cannot deliver hot water as fast as the conventional units especially in colder climates.
Added to not having evidence based data, the upfront costs of tankless electric water heater is significantly higher. Barring few exceptions, the majority of them cost between $800 and $1300 as against $300 to $500 for the regular storage units. Since they need outlets for the fans, the electronics, the gas pipes and the ventilation system, it can really pinch one’s pocket because of these additional installation costs which is considered to come to about $1200. Many of them may need special care as other wise to remove the sediments from them could again cost a fortune. In a case where it was filled with vinegar, it is reported to have involved a cost of $334 for replacing special valves and paying the plumber. Warranties could quickly be refused on the grounds of water quality as water hardness can really reduce the life of an electric heater.
The above analysis is done not to actually dissuade the buyers from going in for a tankless electric water heater but to carefully consider the options available before them so that they, as and when they decide to indeed purchase a tankless water heater, to buy the one that suits them rather than being taken away by tall claims and protect their purchases by carefully reading between the lines in the warranties and take such maintenance actions that would prevent costly breakdowns and repairs.
Glors Heating and Air Conditioning 