Replacing Your Water Heater? 4 Things To Consider

Learn the Pros and Cons of Going Tankless

While fuel and energy costs remain higher than in recent years past, it’s worth looking for ways to better improve your energy efficiency here and now. Adjusting your thermostats and combining errands to save gas are smart ways to lower your everyday costs. Alternatively, you might also think about replacing old, inefficient appliances and systems to achieve savings over the long term. So, if you have a traditional tank-style water heater that’s hitting the ten-year mark, you may be seeing higher energy bills or a lack of performance.

Consider that between bathing and showering, washing dishes, laundry, cleaning, and other tasks, the typical American household uses between 60 and 65 gallons of hot water a day. It makes sense to look for peak efficiency when it comes to heating water, as those costs can add up fast.

Now, any new water heater will likely be more efficient than older technology, but for super efficiency and savings, you should also weigh your options and consider going tankless.

The Benefit of a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless propane water heaters—also known as on-demand water heaters—instantly heat water when you need it, rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time. Imagine having virtually unlimited hot water, all while seeing lower fuel bills. With a high-efficiency tankless water heater, it’s possible!

In addition to whole-house models, smaller versions can be installed where they are needed to generate hot water for an addition or for a spa tub, for example.

The Pros of Going Tankless

1. Unlimited hot water: Traditional tank heaters can run out of hot water if you use a lot at once. Tankless water heaters use an electric pilot and a hot propane flame to heat water instantly on-demand. Since there’s no tank, so it can’t hit empty.
2. Savings: Tankless water heaters save energy by instantly heating water when you need it, rather than keeping a large tank hot all the time. All that efficiency means you’ll also save money by lowering your energy costs…in some cases by as much as 40%. And we can help you take advantage of generous rebates from Rinnai, too!
3. Flexibility: With no storage tank component, a tankless water heater is small—even whole-house sizes take considerably less room than a 55-gallon tank. Most are about the size of a suitcase. It can also be wall-mounted, which means a tankless water heater can be placed just about anywhere in the house, including closets and crawl spaces.
4. Longer equipment life: The primary culprit in the limited lifespan of a conventional water heater is the corrosive water stored in its tank. Because it doesn’t store water, a tankless water heater will typically last 18 to 20 years.

Are There Downsides to Tankless Water Heaters?

Although they save you money in the long run, tankless water heaters are typically a bit more expensive to buy and install. In addition, they require a little maintenance, particularly if you have hard water.

Deposits and minerals can reduce performance and efficiency if you don’t flush the tank at least once a year and clean the filters.

Sticking with a Traditional Tank Water Heater

A traditional tank-style water heater is inexpensive to replace but costs a lot more to run. And it can’t really deliver enough hot water for more than two or three showers in a row, assuming no one is washing dishes or using hot water for anything else.

If your home has a basement, space may not be an issue. But if you don’t have a basement, that big tank uses a lot of valuable real estate in your home.

Whether you decide to stick with a traditional tank-style water heater or update with a highly efficient tankless model, don’t wait for your current water heater to fail to replace it! Like other essential equipment in your home, such as your refrigerator, you don’t want to go long without it—especially in winter.

Ready to explore the benefits of a tankless water heater for your southwestern Vermont home? The pros at Dorr Oil and Propane can help you choose the best option for your needs and install it efficiently. Plus, we offer great service and maintenance plans to protect your investment! Enjoy energy efficiency and all the hot water you need with a new water heater. Contact us today to get started or for a FREE estimate.