What is a tankless water heater?
A tankless water heater is just that. It is a water heater without a holding tank and that heats water on demand, as you need the hot water. It typically has a recirculating pump that keeps the water in constant motion when you need the hot water. I have had a water heater with a tank and I have a water heater, without the tank. I prefer the tankless water heater.
Remember that a tankless water heater will typically be much more money than a water heater with a tank. The water heater with the tank holds the hot water and refills the tank, as you need it but the tank also costs more money to operate in my experience. Let us also remember that both water heaters need to be maintained but less maintenance is required with the tankless.
If you have a water heater that has a tank, please take into consideration that you need to turn off the gas to it or the power to it, once a year and drain the holding tank. If you do not do this, sediment will build up in your tank and your water heater will not last as long. You do not want sediment building up in the hot water heater, because if you do, your water heater will not last as long so keep the tank water heater maintained. Just put your garden hose to the water heater with the tank and drain the contents of the water heater, yearly. You might also want to flush the tank. Once, this is done, you can turn the water back on and fill up the water heater with the tank or turn your natural gas back on and light the water heater. Please make sure you know what you are doing before starting this process. If you do not know how to do it, you could damage the water heater with the tank or even have an issue with the natural gas if you do not know how to light the pilot light that keeps the flame going for the hot water heater if you have natural gas. Please contact a qualified electrician if you have any questions or issues doing this.
If ever in doubt, call up a professional and let them handle this for you.
I prefer the tankless water heater and I have a unit that is made in Japan. I would encourage you to spend the extra money on an excellent hot water heater. I have had my hot water heater that is tankless for about 15 years and it requires very little maintence.
Also, make sure you can get to your hot water heater easily, if there is ever a hot water heater leak or blow out. Shut off the water to the house or to the sink area or toilet area if you ever have a leak in the house. Make sure that all shut-off valves in the house are lubricated yearly so you do not break off a shut-off valve in the home and then you will have a real mess with water damage.
My name is David Snell and I am the owner and operator of Executive Restoration LLC that is based out of Mint Hill/Charlotte North Carolina and I have been in business and service since 1987.
If you have any questions or need some guidance or you need someone, out to your house, about an issue, give David Snell a call at Executive Restoration LLC.
704.545.0098
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