Plumber Tips: Drawbacks Of Tankless Water Heaters | Irving, TX

A tankless water heater provides water when needed making it more energy-efficient than conventional storage-tank water heaters. When a hot water faucet is turned on, cold water travels through the heat exchanger in the unit, and either an electric element or a gas burner heats the water.

According to the US Department of Energy, instantaneous water heaters are 24 to 34 percent more energy-efficient than conventional water heaters. Today, on-demand water heaters are popular because they save on energy and space and have a longer life span of about 20 years.

This article sheds light on the disadvantages of instantaneous water heaters and explores possible solutions.

Unit and Installation Costs

When you finally decide to buy an on-demand water heater, it’ll be easier to look at it from a financial investment angle. Its upfront cost – the unit and installation costs are exorbitantly high compared to the tank-style heaters. However, its lower operation and energy cost offsets the high price with time. A local plumber in Irving, TX, can provide advisory services on cost-effective instantaneous heater options.

Once purchased, it is best to leave the rest to a skilled plumbing professional conversant with different on-demand water types, local building code requirements, safety measures, and fuel types to install your instant-on water heater.

The plumber can also introduce ways of conserving hot water, such as installing low-flow fixtures, insulating hot water lines, and purchasing energy-efficient clothes or dishwashers.

Compared to the traditional type, a lot of money is spent on electrical wiring, including distribution boards, switches, sockets, and light fittings or gas pipelines. If you’re replacing a conventional heater, your house may require modifications to accommodate the new technology.

A plumbing expert will ensure that the heating apparatus is compatible with your home. A well-installed water heater can optimize its energy efficiency and reduce running costs.

Insufficient Water For Multiple Outlets

It is hard for a single unit to simultaneously feed hot water to different household appliances. For instance, pressing clothes and running the dishwasher and the laundry machine simultaneously can cause the unit to grind to a halt.

Gas-powered ones have a higher flow rate than electric ones. You can contact a professional plumber in Irving, TX, to install different tankless water units for each appliance or more than one, depending on your pocket. They also can install boosters for appliances, such as dishwashers.

Intermittent Use and Hot and Cold Water

For applications that necessitate turning on and off, such as sinks, the heater sometimes produces hot water, then cold water as the heater reactivates, and hot water again. This is common where hot water pipes are poorly insulated.

When you get to the bathroom just after someone else has used it, the water left in the pipes will run first, then cold water and hot water again. This is quite understandable, but if the instantaneous heater constantly produces hot and cold water, the easiest thing would be to call a reliable plumbing professional to regulate the temperatures.

The Tankless Unit Is Not Working

If the tankless heater fails to work, the chances are that you’re running many appliances while stretching it to its limits. If not, call your plumber to help you discern the problem and fix it. The plumber can also install another on-demand heater if the need arises.

Another problem is the low water pressure and minimum flow rate. The heater must sense the flow of water to start working. If the water flow is lower than the unit’s minimum flow rate, it can’t run.

You can increase the water flow, but it would be wise to call a knowledgeable plumber to help if the problem persists. The vent and air intake channels could be clogged. Ensure the airways are blockage free. You can check if the circuit breaker has tripped and the water heater is electric-powered.

Additionally, the water could be frozen in the pipes in winter. If none of the above, you can contact a competent plumber in Irving, TX, to get to the bottom of the matter and get the equipment running.

Hot House Temperatures

A faulty faucet doesn’t turn off, causing overheating and boiling water. This can lead to severe body burns, and the heating element can blow out, followed by a lack of hot water for some time before it is replaced. Contact an experienced plumbing professional with problem-solving skills to help you out if this happens.

Sediments or Mineral Buildup

Water pipes made of iron are susceptible to rust. With time the rust may accumulate, causing pipe blockage. Also, if you use hard water, residuals of calcium and sodium are likely to coagulate in pipes leading to clogging.

This lowers the water flow and increases temperature, making the water unsafe. You should contact a plumber with solid experience to clear out the sediments in such cases.

Smelly and Discolored Water

Smelly, colored water flowing from your unit is a red flag. Bacteria, molds, or fungi could be growing inside. The water could smell like rotten eggs. If warm water is left for a long time in the tank, the minerals in the water are likely to build up over time, forming yellow, cloudy, brown, and nasty water.

This is a clear indication of rusty, damaged pipes inside the tank. The solution produces a sulfate gas that stinks like rotten eggs. You could request a plumber to clean the tank and conduct regular maintenance to avoid such issues. The professional can also replace the tank if need be.

A Competent, Trusted Plumbing Company in Irving

For all your tankless water heater installation, maintenance, and repair needs, you can contact Tioga Plumbing & Electric. We have provided residential and industrial electrical and plumbing services since 1953.

Our trucks are equipped with state-of-the-art tools to diagnose plumbing and electrical problems and respond to customers’ distress 24/7. Hit us up today for all your plumbing needs.

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