Tankless water heaters have been popular in Europe for decades, but they’ve only recently become common in American households. This means that there’s probably a lot that you don’t know about them, even if you’ve recently had one installed. Keep reading to learn more about these convenient and efficient home appliances.
They’ve Been Around Since the 19th Century
Because they’ve been growing rapidly in popularity over the last decade or so, it may seem that tankless water heaters are a relatively new innovation. In fact, a man named Edwin Ruud invented the first tankless water heater in 1889 and patented it a year later.
The earliest model of tankless water heater was gas. Electric tankless water heaters were invented in 1929. However, it was still several decades before tankless water heaters began to grow in popularity throughout Europe.
They Last a Long Time
How long water heaters last can vary a great deal from unit to unit, and it’s based on maintenance and other factors. However, storage water heaters last on average from eight to 12 years. For tankless water heaters, it’s 20 years or more. This means that in some cases, you may get twice as many years from a tankless water heater than you would from a traditional storage model.
They’re Environmentally Friendly
While not the right choice for every household, tankless water heaters can reduce energy usage by more than 30% in some cases. Storage water heaters waste a lot of energy keeping water warm in the tank. Newer models are substantially more efficient than older ones, but tankless water heaters still generally outpace them when it comes to energy usage. In turn, this lowers your power bill.
They Make Leaks Less Disastrous Compared to Storage Water Heaters
A leaky water heater is never a good thing, but if your tankless model develops a leak, there’s generally less potential for property damage. When a storage tank leaks, you could end up with all the water from the tank in your home. Since tankless water heaters heat water as it passes through instead of storing it, you don’t have to worry about dozens of gallons spilling out onto your floor at once.
They’re Quiet
If you’ve ever lived in a house with a storage water heater, it may have caused you to ask, “What’s that noise?” While new and unusual noises are a sign your storage water heater needs service, some models can be surprisingly loud even when they’re working normally. Tankless water heaters aren’t noiseless, but they are generally quieter than their tank counterparts.
Households are increasingly choosing tankless water heaters because of their efficient operation and compact size. By becoming more familiar with this water heating option, you can decide whether it’s the best choice for you. When you need tankless water heater services in North Carolina, contact Blaze Air.