The primary con associated with it is that it is sizable, meaning that it will take more energy to heat the volume of water. It functions around the clock, regardless of your need for hot water. And if you go away on holiday, for example, and decide to turn it off, it takes a number of hours to reheat and this is an expensive exercise.
There exist a few alternatives, including the tankless hot water heater. This technology has been popular in Europe for several decades, however, they tend to use it in a different way from how it is used in the States. They put a small unit wherever hot water is required, whether that be the clothes washing machine or the shower, etc. The advantage of using the system like this is that the water in the pipes is heated just before it reaches the fixture, which means that a limited amount of water is heated, exactly where it is needed, and for as long as it is needed. Then the system is shut off. However, for a number of reasons this is not always appropriate or available in this country, particularly because the systems are difficult to install where there is not enough room around existing plumbing.
This doesn't mean that this technology isn't appropriate for your house. The best idea is to get a professional to come to your home and give you advice on what to choose. It could be that a large system, supplemented by a couple of smaller ones would be ideal. It could also be that you can use it and complement it with a solar water system, and perhaps even underfloor heating, and between these three options, you create an ideal heating environment whereby you save significant amounts of money, have on-demand hot water, and keep your house warm all year round. The professional could recommend, however, that given the volume of frequency of water usage, it would be better to retain the regular tank and simply add on one or a couple tankless ones where hot water is frequently used.
In summary, it's a fantastic piece of plumbing equipment, but you should work out the total volume of hot water you use and ensure it will meet all your needs before replacing your existing heater.
About the Author:
Scott Rodgers is a plumber who has recently begun writing articles for both a plumbing and non-plumbing audience. To view more of plumbing articles, visit http://eLocalPlumbers.com
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Reduce your power bills with a tankless hot water system
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