Are you seeking the ultimate in water heater effectiveness and longevity? If so, a tankless heater might be in your immediate future!
Tankless water heaters typically last 15 to 25 years — much longer than their tank water heater counterparts.
Even so, many factors can influence a water heater’s lifespan, including the quality of its maintenance and the hardness of its water.
With all that in mind, let’s discuss tankless heaters in detail. How do they work? And how could you lengthen the life of this hardworking appliance?
What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless heaters can heat water almost instantly. Unlike a traditional water heater with a tank, this machine needn’t store any water. Thus, it’s more compact; it can fit in more spots.
How It Works
When someone turns on a hot water faucet, tap water starts entering the tankless heater. In doing so, that water triggers a sensor that lights the igniter flame.
The igniter flame heats the coils of a device called the heat exchanger. Those coils, in turn, heat the water to whichever temperature the homeowner has selected. Then the warm water moves through the home’s pipes, exiting whichever faucet was originally turned on.
Types of Tankless Water Heaters
Some tankless water heaters are powered by gas, while others are electric.
The gas-powered variety works well for larger households as it heats water faster. The electric model, meanwhile, is more compact and energy-efficient.
Additionally, indoor and outdoor tankless water heaters are available. The indoor units generally require less maintenance, and they might last longer since they’re not exposed to weather conditions.
For their part, outdoor tankless heaters are easier to install. They can also be ideal for homes that lack the interior space for a heater of any size.
How Long Do Tankless Water Heaters Really Last?
If all goes well, you could expect a gas-powered tankless water heater to last for more than 20 years and an electric tankless heater to work from 15 to 20 years.
By contrast, a traditional water heater usually lasts just 8 to 12 years. That’s because their water storage tanks often rust and corrode. Sediment frequently builds up inside those tanks as well. And those conditions can shorten a heater’s lifespan.
Not to mention, tankless water heaters are simpler to maintain as most of their parts are replaceable.
What Impacts the Lifespan of a Tankless Water Heater?
Numerous factors affect a tankless heater’s length of service. They include:
Hard Water and Mineral Buildup
If your tap water has a high mineral concentration, it could damage your heater. For example, calcium deposits can stick to various internal parts, wearing them out sooner. Likewise, limestone sediment often harms tankless heater components — the heat exchangers in particular.
Installation Quality
When a qualified professional installs a tankless water heater, the apparatus will be positioned and connected correctly. However, if it’s not installed properly, problems can arise.
Those potential issues include clogs, leaks, low water pressure, and inconsistent water temperatures. As a result, the water heater could expire prematurely.
Venting
A tankless water heater must be vented adequately — meaning all of its exhaust gases go directly outdoors. Otherwise, a heater is prone to overheating and corrosion, both of which could cut its life short.
Even worse, without the right venting, carbon monoxide could build up inside a home, gravely endangering its residents.
Water Usage and Load
It’s only common sense: The more a tankless water heater is used, the more wear and tear it will suffer over the long haul.
For that reason, larger homes are often better off installing two or more tankless units.
How to Make Your Tankless Water Heater Last Longer
Fortunately, you can take certain steps to extend your tankless water heater’s lifespan — perhaps by a number of years.
Flush It Annually
Flushing a water heater means sending a special descaling liquid through it for 30 to 60 minutes. That solution should eliminate mineral buildups.
You can get the tools and instructions you need for water heater flushing from a home improvement store or a trustworthy internet retailer. Alternatively, a professional could handle this job for you.
Install a Water Softener or Filter
Water softeners and filters can remove the mineral content from water. By doing so, they prevent sediment from building up inside water heaters.
Such a device is usually installed indoors, close to a home’s main water line.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
During a routine maintenance appointment, a plumber could inspect your water heater and fix small issues before they become bigger — and costlier — problems.
When Should You Replace a Tankless Water Heater?
You ought to buy a new tankless heater if your current one is more than 20 years old, malfunctioning frequently, or in need of expensive, out-of-warranty repairs.
Likewise, you should replace your water heater if your current model can’t meet your household’s demand for hot water.
Moreover, if you’re noticing any of these signs of water heater failure, a new model might be necessary:
- Inconsistent water temperatures
- Strange noises like clicking, banging, or hissing coming from your unit
- Error codes on display
- Rising home energy bills
Is a Tankless Water Heater Worth It?
In the end, a tankless water heater is absolutely worth any higher upfront costs.
Due to its longer lifespan, this type of heater will give you a significantly higher return on investment. And it’s especially helpful to homeowners who plan on staying at their current address long-term.
Furthermore, these heaters are space-saving, reliable, and highly efficient.
As a final note, if you live in Clearwater, Fla. — or a nearby area — you can always call Clearwater Benjamin Franklin for water heater help.
Our punctual plumbers would love to install, inspect, maintain, or repair your tankless heater. That way, your whole household could savor its fresh, appealing, and soothing hot water for as long as possible.