tulsa tankless - water heater services

tulsa tankless - water heaters

The tankless water heater represents the most major advance in residential water heating since the first storage-tank model was invented in 1899. A tankless model generates hot water entirely on-demand. This eliminates many of the limitations of the traditional storage tank heater and improves energy-efficiency. As the typical American household spends about $500 annually on water heating, any cost savings can make a difference in the family budget. Here are some ways a tankless water heater improves both convenience and economy in your home.

• No standby heat loss. A typical conventional water heater utilizes a tank to store about 50 gallons of hot water. As time passes, water in the tank gradually cools, and the burner must activate to maintain proper water temperature. Due to this standby heat loss, energy is wasted reheating water in the tank multiple times until the water is finally used. Instead of storing water, a tankless unit heats only when hot water is needed.

• Unlimited hot water. When someone opens a hot water tap in the house, a tankless unit senses the requirement and instantly begins heating the continuous flow of water for as long as required. You never run out of hot water like you do with a storage-tank unit when demand is high. Nobody ends up shivering in a cold shower.

• Longer service life. The tank is a weak link in a storage-tank water heater. After an average service life of about 12 years, standard water-heater tanks are subject to internal corrosion, mineral accumulation, and leakage that require replacement of the entire unit. Tankless units eliminate these downsides and, with proper maintenance, will usually last more than 20 years.

• Improved energy efficiency and lower costs. In a home that uses up to 40 gallons of hot water daily, tankless heaters are about 30% more energy-efficient than a conventional tank model. According to the EPA, a tankless heater with Energy Star certification can reduce hot water costs by $100 per year in the typical household.

More Benefits Of tulsa Tankless Water Heaters

Not only will a tankless heater save you money on your energy bills, it will also save space within your home since these systems do not require large holding tanks like their traditional counterparts do. This can free up some space in your basement for extra storage, or a kid’s play area.

Another feature that makes these new, more modern heaters very popular is the fact that it is virtually impossible to run out of hot water. It only takes a few consecutive showers to deplete a traditional heater’s tank. Afterwards, it is necessary to wait until the tank’s contents are heated once again before you can access hot water. With a tankless system, the supply is continuous and plentiful.

Tankless Water Heater Installation

The proper installation of a tankless water heater is very important for it to run efficiently and perform as it is designed to do. There are many aspects to properly installing a tankless water heater and you should hire Air Assurance’s professional plumbers to complete the installation.

To properly install a tankless water heater, Air Assurance will first check the gas line. A tankless water heater will typically require a gas line with a larger diameter. There is a little electrical wiring involved as well, and once the old water heater is removed and disconnected, we can begin setup of the new water heater. Tankless water heaters are mounted to the wall, not left on the floor like a conventional water heater.

For more about the efficiency and performance benefits of a tankless water heater, contact Air Assurance.

Pros/Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are becoming a popular alternative to water heaters with conventional hot water storage tanks. Their unique design and ability to provide near-instantaneous hot water makes them a compelling option for homeowners looking to replace their existing water heater. As with any other type of appliance, a tankless water heater has its share of benefits and drawbacks to consider.

The Pros

It’s no secret that tankless water heaters offer several advantages over their conventional counterparts. For starters, these water heaters can be up to 34 percent more energy efficient than a traditional water heater if your home uses 41 gallons of hot water or less on a daily basis. A typical tankless water heater also offers a longer lifespan than its traditional counterpart. Whereas a typical conventional water heater offers a lifespan of up to 15 years, you can get up to 20 years out of a tankless variant with proper care and maintenance.There are plenty of other advantages to consider:

• Tankless water heaters provide near-instant hot water for ordinary washing, bathing and other household activities.

• The tankless design of demand-type water heaters takes up significantly less space than a conventional water heater. As a result, these units can be placed in areas where conventional water heaters can’t go.

• Tankless water heaters consume up to 50 percent less energy than their conventional counterparts.

• Unlike with a conventional water heater, you won’t have to deal with sediment issues.

The Cons

Although tankless water heaters offer a broad range of benefits, there are a few downsides associated with these appliances:

• Tankless water heaters usually carry a higher purchase price than their conventional counterparts. This can be a sticking point for homeowners on a tight budget.

• Demand-type water heaters that still utilize a standing pilot light may consume more energy than those with electronic ignition.

• In some cases, tankless water heaters may not be able to offer the consistent flow rate of a large conventional water heater.

Still interested in having a tankless water heater installed in your Broken Arrow home? Then contact the seasoned experts at Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about tankless water heaters and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “typographyimages/Pixabay”

Water Heaters: For Some Households, Tank Types Work Best

There are a variety of water heater options available to any homeowner when it’s time for a replacement. While tankless water heaters have many benefits and are becoming more popular, the conventional tank water heater is still often the best option for your home because of the following reasons.

Massive capacity. Running out of hot water in the middle of needing it is the worst. This is a problem rarely encountered once you have a properly sized tank water heater, which can store anywhere from 20 to 120 gallons.

More affordable. Tank heaters are by far the cheaper option when compared to tankless units. If you had a tank heater in the past it will also be easy to put in a new one, whereas tankless heaters often require some extra work to be done.

Good range. There are no issues providing hot water to any number of outlets in your home with a tank heater. On the other hand, a tankless heater must be installed close to the point of use, which means that big homes often need multiple units.

Consistent Flow. It’s easy to get frustrated if the water pressure from your taps consistently varies. Since tankless heaters have a limited capacity, this is a major problem in many home. A conventional tank heater on the other hand has a large reserve capacity, which means that water flow will largely be uninterrupted.

Easy to maintain. Tankless heaters may take up less room, but can often be difficult to access to maintain or repair. Your tank heater is accessible enough that all parts are easy to inspect, clean and fix if needed.

If you’re unsure of the best type of water heaters in your Broken Arrow home, feel free to contact Air Assurance for help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock

Water Heater Sizing, Installation, Maintenance and Operation Tips

Are you looking at buying a new water heater? Make sure it’s the right size first. Then, become familiar with tips for installing, maintaining and operating your water heater for long-term savings.

Water Heater Sizing

Even if your last tank seemed to do its job well, don’t assume it was the ideal capacity. To size a new water heater, add up how much hot water your household consumes during the busiest hour of an average day. This is your peak-hour demand. Find a water heater with a comparable first-hour rating (FHR) printed on the yellow Energy Guide label.

Different fuel sources deliver different FHRs in relation to the tank size. As a general rule of thumb, one- to two-person households need about a 40-gallon electric or gas water heater while a four-person household may need a 50-gallon gas water heater or up to an 80-gallon electric water heater.

Installation

To maximize efficiency, install the following items along with your new investment:

• Aerating, low-flow showerheads and faucets

• Water heater and piping insulation

• Drain-water waste recovery system to preheat cold water entering the water heater

Maintenance

Neglect your water heater and it may last less than a decade. Take good care of it and it could last 20 years or more. Follow these maintenance tips to lengthen the life of your investment:

• Flush the tank twice a year.

• Inspect the pressure relief valve and have it replaced if you spot corrosion or rust.

• Remove and inspect the anode rod and replace it if six inches or more of the core wire is exposed.

• Inspect the combustion chamber and flue vent on gas- and oil-fired units.

• Remove and check the heating elements on electric units.

Operation Tips

Save energy and money with these tips:

• Set the water heater to 120 degrees instead of 140 degrees.

• Repair leaky faucets promptly.

• Take shorter showers.

• Only run the dishwasher and clothes washing machine with full loads.

• Set the water heater to vacation mode when you leave town.

For help on water heater sizing for your Broken Arrow home, please contact Air Assurance today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). 

Image courtesy of Shutterstock