Efficiency Alberta has been offering rebates up to $1000 for homeowners who install tankless water heaters. Learn more about the Home Improvement Rebate program.
Butler Plumbing Heating & Gasfitting Ltd in Edmonton offer both tankless and conventional hot water heater sales and service. They share some pros and cons for both tankless water heaters and hot water tanks.
Operation
Tankless Water Heater: When the hot water tap is turned on, water travels through the pipe directly into the unit where it is heated by either a gas burner or electric element, depending on the appliance model. No storage tank is required, but there is a limit to the flow rate however, hot water is there as long as you need it.
Hot Water Tank: Your water goes into the hot water tank where it is heated, by either gas or electricity. The hot water is stored and kept hot until it is used. When it is empty, you run out of water until it is heated again.
Amount of Hot Water
Tankless Water Heater: Typically, a tankless heater can provide about 7 to 15 litres of hot water per minute. When sized correctly, a tankless water heater can supply enough hot water for simultaneous uses. If not sized correctly, you might not get hot water for your shower if the washing machine or dish washer is running. For larger homes, two or more units might be required. A plumber can recommend the size or number of tankless water heaters you might require for your home.
Hot Water Tank: Depending on the size of the tank, typical storage hot water tanks can heat and store between 30 to 75 gallons of water at one time. Larger tanks are recommended for big households. Though you can store more water, it is more expensive to have a larger volume of water heated for storage.
Energy Savings
Tankless Water Heater: According to Energy Saver, homes that use less than 41 gallons of hot water each day could be 24%-34% more energy efficient using a tankless water heater over a storage-style hot water tank. If you use a lot of hot water, you are still being more efficient with the tankless heater, but only 8%-14%. If you decide to install a tankless water heater at every hot water outlet you can expect to increase efficiency up to 50%. ENERGY STAR® estimates that a typical family can save $100 or more per year with an ENERGY STAR qualified tankless water heater.
Hot Water Tank: Though newer hot water tanks are more efficient than older models, they don’t compare to tankless heaters. There will always be a standby heat loss associated with storing hot water. In most gas-fueled hot water tanks, the pilot light heats the water in the tank so in that case, energy isn’t wasted.
Initial Cost
Tankless Water Heater: The initial cost of a tankless water heater is more than a traditional hot water tank. They use less energy, and provide constant hot water when sized correctly.
Hot Water Tank: Hot water tanks cost less than tankless water heaters but they are not energy efficient and have a limit to the hot water they can deliver.
Plumbers in Edmonton
Butler Plumbing Heating & Gasfitting provides both commercial and residential plumbing and heating service in Edmonton and surrounding area. Butler Plumbing is dedicated to their customers while providing reliable, honest, high quality service. Customers can rest easy knowing the job is being done professionally, with all work guaranteed.
Whether you want a new tankless water heater, plumbing, heating or gasfitting installation or repair, trust the pros at Bulter Plumbing Heating & Gasfitting.
Call them today!
