If you want a more energy efficient option to your traditional water heater, you should consider having a tankless water heater installed in your home. They do not produce the standby energy losses associated with storage (traditional) water heaters and are quickly becoming more affordable than ever.
This article from the U.S. Department of Energy explains the ins and outs of tankless water heaters.
The first thing you need to know is how a tankless water heater works. When a hot water tap is turned on, cold water travels into the unit. A gas or electric burner heats the water, delivering a constant supply of hot water. The only down side to this is that a tankless water heater’s output limits the flow rate (gas burners produce slightly higher flow rates than electric). This means that tankless heaters have trouble handling simultaneous demand – like taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time. To overcome this problem, you can install two or more tankless water heaters in your home or install separate tankless heaters for individual appliances.
For households that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, a tankless water heater can be 24-34% more energy efficient than a traditional storage unit. If a household uses double that, installing a tankless water heater can be 8-14% more efficient. These numbers increase if you place a dedicated tankless water heater at each hot water outlet.
If you have any questions, contact Mahon Plumbing by calling 410-766-8566 or click here today!