Plumbing

Kansas City homeowners often wonder how traditional tank water heaters stack up to tankless models. To determine which type of system is ideal for your home, consider examining the benefits of tankless water heaters to compare them. When you consider factors such as energy efficiency, reliability, and overall cost savings, the prospect of a tankless water heater becomes more appealing.

The following list of benefits should help you determine if upgrading to a tankless water heater is right for your household.

1. An Unlimited Reserve of Hot Water

If you have ever been the last one to take a shower in the morning, you have likely been disappointed to find the water is lukewarm at best. With a tankless water heater, you have an endless supply of water at the exact temperature you desire. Keep in mind that each tankless system has a maximum flow rate that limits the amount of fluid that can be heated at once.

Although you can’t run five hot showers simultaneously, you could leave a single shower running for five hours while maintaining a stable temperature. The tankless water heater draws energy on demand from an external source, allowing for an endless stream of warm liquid as long as the flow rate threshold is not exceeded.

2. Long Term Cost and Energy Savings

A tankless water heater can save you a significant amount of money in the long run. The initial investment tends to be a few hundred dollars more than that of a traditional unit, but the monthly utility savings will quickly make the upfront cost worthwhile. A classic tank-based system is constantly running in the background, even when not in direct use. It takes a lot of energy to keep the average 40 to 50 gallons of water ready for showers or dishwashing. However, the tankless option only requires energy when hot water is summoned from a faucet or showerhead. The cold water heats up in seconds thanks to either the gas-fired burner or electric coils located within the unit.

Since warmth is only applied when needed, tankless systems don’t experience heat loss throughout the day like traditional models would. This further enhances energy efficiency by optimizing the amount of power allocated to each use case. To make your system even more efficient, consider installing tankless water heaters at multiple points throughout your home, rather than relying on a single, centralized unit.

3. Compact Designs Save on Space

Another key benefit of tankless water heaters is that they tend to occupy much less space in your home. Most models are mounted to the wall, freeing up vast amounts of physical space in the process. Classic water heaters are cylindrical in design, stand 54 to 60 inches tall, and may be as large as 20 inches in diameter. By contrast, the average tankless setup is 27 inches tall, 18 inches wide, 10 inches deep, and rectangular. Since the tankless model is mounted on your wall, it remains out of the way, leaving plenty of room to place objects underneath.

4. No Chance of Your Tank Exploding

Although the issue is somewhat uncommon, traditional water heaters can explode under the right conditions. Tank heaters have a pressure release mechanism that detects danger, but over time, minerals and sediment from the water can clog the valve. If you forget to have your valve checked by a professional at least once a year, the pressure can eventually mount to disastrous levels.

Naturally, a water heater with no tank will never explode on you. Considering the hazard potential of a tank explosion, it is better to install a safer tankless option for your Kansas City home.

5. Seamless Installations and Significant Discounts

Switching to a tankless water heater is surprisingly simple. If you have trepidations about upgrading, consider the fact that you need only reach out to a local HVAC professional. With emergency service scheduling, you can have hot water flowing through your home in a matter of hours.

Also, look out for special discounts and promotions on tankless water heater installations. There are usually incentives that sweeten the deal that much further. For instance, MVP Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electric currently offers $500 off tankless water heater installations in the Kansas City area.

6. Less Frequent Leaks and Water Damage

A significant challenge with regular water heaters is the tendency to corrode due to mineral and residue buildup. Corrosion will eat away at your tank until water has enough space to slip through. Water can damage a wide range of materials and equipment if left to accumulate in your home. Modern tankless water heaters are built to resist corrosion much more effectively. Although you can never completely eliminate the risk of leaks or water damage, you can significantly reduce the likelihood with a professionally installed tankless water heater.

7. A Lifespan Surpassing 20 Years

If you plan on staying in your current home for some time, opt for equipment that will last you as long as possible. Even if you plan to sell, maintaining a well-functioning HVAC infrastructure can enhance the market value of your home. Traditional water heaters often last 8 to 12 years on average. However, a tankless water heater can last for longer than 20 years if you keep it in good repair and maintain it according to a routine maintenance schedule. Always call a professional as soon as you suspect something is wrong with your unit. Vigilance is the best way to take advantage of this benefit and keep your water heater humming for multiple decades.

8. A Reduced Risk of Burns and Toxin Exposure

Tankless water heaters provide you with more control over your system, resulting in greater safety when you and your family use hot water. You can set faucet and shower temperatures with exact parameters to avoid getting burned by an unexpectedly hot burst of water. Also, since your tankless water heater resists corrosive elements, it prevents foreign and toxic substances from gradually contaminating your water supply. Drinking contaminated water can lead to disease, and dirty water can have ill effects on your skin. This makes a tankless water heater the safest option for your family.

Drawbacks of Tankless Water Heaters

Like everything, there are some downsides to tankless water heaters, too. The upfront cost can be much higher than that of a water heater tank. Also, as the water is heated on demand, it can take a long time to get hot water started in rooms that are at the end of your plumbing line.

At MVP Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electric, we recognize that Kansas City residents rely on water heaters to maintain a comfortable home environment throughout the year. From showers to cooking, we know you need precise control over the water temperature in your home. That’s why we offer 24/7 support and expert services to Kansas City and its surrounding communities. In addition to our tankless water heater installations, we offer a full range of plumbing services. Should you need assistance with other HVAC or electrical projects, we have you covered there as well.

Contact MVP Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electric today for the best tankless water heater installations in the Kansas City area!

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