Trusted Tankless Water Heater Installation & Repair in Lehighton, PA
For decades, the only water heaters we’ve known are those towering gray silos in our basements and storage closets. The idea of a water heater without that bulky tank sounds too good to be true, but they are, in fact, as real as it gets. Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning provides professional installation and maintenance for today’s high-efficiency tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters.
How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
With a tankless water heater, water doesn’t just sit, pre-heated, waiting to be used. Instead, a heat exchanger raises the temperature of the water rapidly when you turn on your faucet and set it to “hot.”
Here’s how a tankless water heater works:
- A sensor detects when you turn on a hot water faucet and activates the heater.
- Water flows to the heater.
- A series of heating elements instantly heat the water.
- The system continues to heat until the faucet is turned off and the sensor recognizes the water flow has stopped.
Want to learn more about tankless water heaters? Look inside a tankless system to see how it operates.
Ready to install? Contact our expert Carbon County plumbers today.
Advantages of Going Tankless
The upfront cost of a tankless water heater is higher than that of standard tanks, but as technology advances with tankless units, the benefits serve homeowners well in the long run.
- Cost and energy savings: Unused hot water in a traditional tank eventually cools off, requiring more energy to re-heat it. This is called standby heat loss and is one of the biggest culprits of high energy bills. Tankless water heaters are up to 34% more efficient and can offer significant energy bill savings, especially during the winter.
- Continuous hot water: While a tank holds a finite amount of water, a tankless system’s hot water supply is limitless. You’ll never have to worry about running out of hot water while taking a shower because on-demand hot water flow doesn’t stop until you do.
- Convenience and durability: Most tankless systems can be installed on almost any wall of a home, sometimes even exterior walls, because they’re much smaller than a tank-style water heater ― about the size of a carry-on suitcase. The average tankless system lasts about 20 years, while most traditional water heaters last 10 to 15.
- Water quality: Over time, contaminants such as rust and scale can build up in a storage tank, causing wear on your appliances and faucets. A tankless system always provides instant, fresh water from the moment you turn it on until you turn it off.
Tankless water heaters can save you money. Call (610) 377-5261 or chat with our plumbing experts online to learn more.
Gas or Electric Tankless Water Heaters? What To Know Before Installing
With their compact size and simple wall-mount installation, tankless water heaters can go just about anywhere. The main thing to understand beforehand is whether you’re installing a gas or electric unit. If gas, installation professionals will ensure the correct piping material and safe ventilation. If electric, they will properly connect with your circuit breaker and ensure you have enough power to support the water heater.
Tankless water heaters should always be installed by a professional. Improper installation can result in hazardous consequences such as carbon monoxide poisoning or circuit breaker overload.
How To Choose the Right Size Tankless Water Heater for Your Home
Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning pros calculate the correct-size unit so you can have a hot shower at the same time as others in your house. To determine the correct water heater size with the proper amount of energy output to fully heat the amount of water you’ll need at any given time, we consider these factors:
- Peak usage, which is the maximum amount of flow needed at any given time. Totaled in gallons per minute (GPM), this is where we account for the dishwasher, laundry, sinks, and showers running simultaneously.
- The temperature difference between water coming into the water heater and water flowing out. Pennsylvania groundwater is cooler than other regions of the country, requiring more energy to heat the water than you’d need in, say, South Florida.
How To Maintain a Tankless Water Heater
Like any appliance, regular service is recommended for tankless water heaters. Most tankless units are advanced and equipped with Wi-Fi to alert you when there’s an error, or it’s due for service. The most common cause for repair is sediment buildup, which can be prevented with regular maintenance. Here are a few signs your tankless unit needs service:
- Sudden change in water temperature and/or appearance
- Strange smell or taste
- Banging or booming sounds
- Trouble getting consistent pressure
Andreas Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning team members are passionate professionals when it comes to the comfort of your home. We’re up to speed on all the latest models of tankless water heaters and look forward to helping you improve your home’s efficiency.
Let our family serve yours. Call (610) 377-5261 or contact us online today to begin your water heater consultation.
