The Essential Guide to Tankless Water Heaters for Your Brooklyn Home

Are you thinking of replacing your old tank water heater? If you’re considering switching to a tankless water heater, you’re in for a treat.

Endless hot water, space efficiency, and cost savings are just a few perks that await you.

However, before you rush to the nearest hardware or home improvement store, you must know a few essential things. In this guide, we’ll explore your options for tankless water heaters, plus some important things to consider when installing one.

We’ll also talk about why you must get professional installation from a reliable HVAC technician like the Heating Cooling Doctor to ensure your new water heater runs smoothly for years.

First, What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless or “demand-type” water heaters provide hot water only when needed.

When you turn on the hot water tap, cold water flows through a heating component or a heat exchanger, delivering a constant hot water supply.

Unlike traditional models, tankless units don’t have storage tanks and therefore have no standby heat loss. As such, no heat or energy is lost and wasted.

This is why tankless water heaters are generally regarded as more energy-efficient.

What Are the Benefits of a Tankless Hot Water Heater?

Tankless models are getting hyped due to their amazing features and benefits.

Cost-Saving

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a tankless water heater is 24 to 34% more energy efficient than a storage tank model.

You can even cut your energy savings by up to 50% if you install a tankless unit at every part of your home where you use hot water.

Since you’re using less energy, you’re saving money. It’s a significant advantage, especially if you live in an area with high energy costs.

Tankless units cost more upfront than a conventional storage water heater, but they have a longer lifespan and lower energy and operating costs, which offset the purchase price. They also have easily replaceable parts that may extend their lifespan.

While storage water heaters last ten years, tankless units can last up to 20.

Space-Saving

Are you living in a small apartment? Then, a tankless water heater is the best bet. Because it doesn’t have a tank, the entire unit will only take a fraction of your space than if you will use a traditional tank water heater.

Conventional models with 40-60 gallon capacity take up a lot of space. Plus, the tank needs to be installed somewhere secure and ventilated. In most homes, bulky water heaters are installed in a utility closet, basement, or pantry, which you could have used for storage and other purposes.

On the other hand, a typical tankless unit is approximately the size of a briefcase, so it’s very compact and easier to install.

Ease of Use

Have you ever stepped into the shower only to find out you ran out of hot water?

If you use hot water simultaneously in different parts of your home, you probably experience this often. In addition, reheating a large amount of water can take some time (usually several hours), which is a downside of a storage-tank water heater.

On the contrary, a tankless unit supplies hot water on demand, which means your access to hot water is unlimited. You won’t run out of hot water or wait for the tank to heat up again.

Downsides of Tankless Water Heaters

Like anything else, a tankless water heater has some downsides.

Knowing about these things is important before you decide to install one in your home.

Limited Flow Rate

Generally, a tankless unit provides hot water at two to five gallons per minute. However, even the largest gas-powered model cannot produce higher flow rates for simultaneous use.

If your household uses over 40 gallons of hot water daily, you may need to install two or more tankless units.

High Upfront Cost

As mentioned earlier, tankless water heaters cost higher than traditional storage-tank models. They usually cost up to three times as much as conventional water heaters. Nevertheless, on-demand water heaters are far more energy-saving and have lower installation and maintenance costs. That’s why many homeowners prefer them.

What To Consider Before Installing a Tankless Water Heater in Your Brooklyn Home

These days, more and more Brooklyn homeowners are ditching their old storage tank water heaters for cutting-edge, energy-saving tankless models.

However, going tankless isn’t as simple as uninstalling your old water heater and swapping it for the new one.

There are often some compatibility and functionality concerns that you need to address before and during the installation.

Here are the important factors to consider when installing a tankless water heater.

Unit Capacity

Determining the capacity of a tankless water heater is far more complex than a storage-tank model.

First, you need some information, such as the individual flow rates (gallons per minute) of the appliances and water fixtures in your home that use hot water.

Some fixtures will have their GPM indicated, while others must be manually tested.

Please speak with us today to determine your home’s best water heater size.

You also want to consider whether or not you will use hot water simultaneously. For example, do you plan to use the dishwasher and the shower simultaneously? The more hot water you need, the bigger capacity you want your water heater to have.

Water Heater Type

There are two types of tankless water heaters: gas and electric tankless water heaters.

Their energy efficiency is the most significant difference between gas and electric tankless water heaters. Electric units are 98% more efficient, while gas water heaters are only about 85% efficient.

Nevertheless, a gas-powered model has low operating costs and typically lasts longer.

If you have a big household or live in a region with a colder climate, a gas tankless water heater is a better choice as it provides more heating and flow capacity than an electric model.

Electric heaters are more suitable for warmer climates and when the demand for hot water is low (under 40 gallons a day.)

Design

Besides the fuel type, tankless water heaters vary in terms of design.

Some of the most popular options are:

Whole-house tankless water heaters

They are the best choice if you use multiple appliances and fixtures simultaneously.

Point-of-use Tankless Water Heaters

These water heaters offer a steady hot water supply to household faucets like the kitchen sink, shower, and dishwasher. Unlike the standard tankless unit, a point-of-use water heater is installed directly on the appliance that needs additional hot water.

Hybrid Water Heaters

If you prefer a storage-tank water heater but still want to save on your electricity bills, a hybrid water heater or a hybrid heat pump is a good option. It combines the function of a tank and tankless system and can be installed using your existing water heater setup.

Ventilation

Tankless water heaters have unique ventilation requirements than their tank counterparts. For that reason, the installation will almost always involve modifications.

There are different types of venting used for tankless water heaters:

Power vent – uses indoor air and vents heat by moving the same air outside. This setup only requires one exhaust vent but needs a bigger space with sufficient air.

Direct Vent – works by pulling outside air into your home. It’s ideal for smaller spaces.

Generally, electric water heaters don’t need venting as they use electric burners to heat water.

Electrical Power

Whether your on demand hot water heater runs on gas or electricity, it has components like the digital temperature control that require electricity.

Location

Your city’s local ventilation requirements may impact your water heater’s placement.

For example, power-vent units that rely on indoor air for ventilation must be installed in a spacious area or a room with vents to ensure adequate airflow.

Meanwhile, direct-vent units pull air outside the home so you can install them in a more confined area like the attic or closet.

Features

No two tankless water heaters are entirely alike. With so many brands out there, you can easily get lost in the promises that often fail.

A professional technician can help you choose the best water heater that meets your needs.

Installation of Tankless Water Heaters

Installing a water heater is a complex project best handled by a professional. As mentioned, it doesn’t simply involve removing your old unit and setting up the new one.

Water heaters are connected to pipes and water lines around your home, and the consequences of making mistakes are serious.

Let’s go over why hiring a professional HVAC contractor like the Heating Cooling Doctor is your best option when installing a tankless water heater.

We Are Your Brooklyn Water Heater Experts

We have been servicing Brooklyn water heaters for the past 17 years. As a result, all our technicians have extensive experience and training working with water heaters, including tankless and hybrid models.

Thus, we can guide you throughout the project, from choosing the best type and size of water heater for your Brooklyn home to installing it.

Depending on where you live, you may need a certificate to secure proper permits for installing a water heater, especially if the project involves working on the gas lines, electrical wiring, and ventilation. A professional HVAC contractor like The Water Heater Doctor has the proper permits to complete any water heater installation or water heater replacement job.

We Offer Risk-Free Installation

Many homes in Brooklyn use gas as the fuel type for their water heaters. Unfortunately, this fuel is highly flammable, so even a minor mistake during the installation can cause a fire hazard or even an explosion.

Professional technicians have the skills, know-how, tools, and gear to ensure a safe and successful installation.

We are familiar with the hazards on the job and how to avoid them, reducing the chance of injury.

Moreover, safety issues can often result from a bad installation. We are experts in this field, so you can know that your water heater will work without any problem.

We Help You Choose the Right Unit for Your Home

Before you buy a tankless water heater, it is best to consult an HVAC professional to help you decide the type, size and features best suited for your home. Remember that the salespeople aren’t water-heating professionals.

Despite their good intentions, they cannot match the product knowledge of an experience water heater installer. So if you want to get the water heater that best meets your family’s needs, it’s important to ask a professional first.

We Give You Peace of Mind

Let an experienced professional do the job will help you sleep better at night, knowing your new water heater is properly installed. There isn’t a price tag for peace of mind, especially concerning your family’s health and safety.

Call the Water Heater Doctor Today

The Water Heater Doctor is one of the most trusted providers of water heater installation services in New York City.

We install and repair all types of tankless water heaters. Our EPA-certified technicians can diagnose and fix any problem, night or day. In addition, we are equipped with high-tech tools and gear to install your new water heater quickly and correctly.

We don’t just give you quality service. We provide you with peace of mind!

Call us today at (646) 820-0196 for all your Brooklyn water heating needs, or book a service request, to make sure you have all the hot water you need at prices you can afford.