Are you planning to replace your water heater unit soon and consider purchasing the tankless one? If the answer is yes, you may be interested in reading how long it takes to install a tankless water heater, the pros and cons, and more details about this equipment below.
Tankless Water Heater Installation Diagram
The tankless water heater is commonly referred to as an instantaneous, on-demand, or demand-type water heater. As the name signifies, it doesn’t require you to store the water but instead using an activated flow sensing device when you open the hot water tap. It is available in gas or electric types.
Regardless of the type, in general, an installation process by a professional licensed plumber will be done in about 2 to 3 hours – even for the most accessible tankless water heater to install.
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Now, here are several benefits and drawbacks when it comes to using tankless water heater:
Pros:
- In terms of size, they are generally smaller than the conventional water heater, so it’s ideal if you have size-limited dwelling space.
- They are typically more energy-friendly. Water heating makes about 30% of the entire household energy bills on average, based on the U.S. Department of Energy data. A tankless water heater may be able to cut the consumption by about 50%.
- They are more resilient and less susceptible to failure that can cause house flooding. On average, tankless water heater units have a lifespan of approximately 20 years and above.
Cons:
- They cannot generate hot water during power outages, so that you won’t have a backup source of hot water for emergency times.
- They are more vulnerable to damages caused by hard water. All water heaters can be damaged by hard water, but particularly so the tankless ones. You have to drain and replace the filters each month and flush the unit regularly to prevent it. Otherwise, your team might be destroyed by hard water in approximately two years.
- They have complicated internal structures. Just by examining the internal diagram of a tankless water heater, you’d be able to see just how easy things can go wrong due to the intricate technology they adopt.
If you have determined to get a tankless water heater, you can get it from your local plumbing supply stores or go for online retailers. Gas-powered units may cost you anywhere from $170 to $2,000 – depending on the size. Meanwhile, the electric type of water heater units is available for $90 to $900.
Considering the dangers of tankless water heater installation, it is the work best left to the professionals. This is because the job involves gas connections for the propane or gas unit, while it requires you to upgrade the circuit breaker panel and the wiring for the electric ones.
Getting professional licensed plumber assistance may help you know ‘how long does it take to install a tankless water heater’ precisely. They will also be able to give you tips about maintenance, based on your specific situation.
