We are on the cusp of a national water heater shortage. Part of the reason has to do with bad weather in key states that manufacture, Texas for example. A few years ago, Texas was hit hard by a tornado that made getting furnaces difficult. We will soon see a similar scramble in our area of Union, New Jersey trying to locate the traditional 40-gallon water heaters. This past week we have installed seventeen gas water heaters in Westfield, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Teaneck, and the Watchung, New Jersey area. We recommend having your water heater serviced and checked before the summer to be safe. The alternative is a tankless water heater for those who can’t get one in time for a replacement.
What are the negative aspects of a tankless water heater?
Tankless water heaters produce an endless supply of hot water, they take up less space, have a low risk of leaking or flooding, and have a longer lifespan. The main downside of tankless water heaters is their upfront cost is higher than tank-style heaters.
Pros and cons of on-demand hot water:
- Pros of tankless water heaters
- High efficiency
- Long-term savings
- Environmentally friendly and
- Rebate money for NJ residents
- Cons of tankless water heaters
- Limited flow rate
- High upfront cost
- Can require prior setup work
A typical family of 5 would need a 10 GPM gas tankless heater if you live in the northern part of the USA, where the input water has a lower temperature. The tankless heater works harder to bring the water temperature up to 110ËšF.
A high efficiency tank water heater uses up to 8 percent less energy to do its job. The savings is calculated by better insulation and more efficient components. Overall, the tankless water heater saves more energy and is lower in utility costs. If you are looking to increase the value of your home, adding a tankless water heater to your features is a good investment. According to a study conducted by Zillow, homes with tankless water heaters sold for 4% more than their expected value and these homes also sold 43 days faster than expected. Another good place to find information on tankless water heaters is Energy.gov. Another plus is that tankless water heaters are the only ones with a rebate money from New Jersey Clean energy.
When you open a hot water tap or start using hot water, the tankless water heater recognizes the need and starts the heating process. The temperature of the incoming water is used to calculate how much heat the burners must produce to deliver water at designated temperature. When the demand for hot water stops, it shuts down and stops using energy. You use only what you need at the time you need it. The small size makes it appealing to apartments, condos, and town homes. If you have traveled to Europe, you will notice tankless water heaters are common in residential homes.
