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As Aging in Place Specialist we find the AARP guide very informative. Here is “The Foyer”
As Aging in Place Specialists we find the AARP guide very informative. Here is “Entrances and Exits”
Performance Based Building Science That Now Saves Money Due to Current Lumber Prices
The Downside of Tankless Water Heaters
As the name implies, the tankless water heater stores no water in a tank. The appliance works only when hot water is needed producing endless amounts of hot water instantly. Although the initial asking price for a tankless model is about two times more than the conventional model installed, significant energy savings has been seen. This is especially true when you do not use hot water very often. However, consider the following issues we have with tankless water heaters:
1. A tankless water heater does not decrease the amount of time it takes to get from the unit to the shower or faucet. You are still waiting for the “instant” hot water to arrive.
2. A single tankless water heater can only contribute up to 5 gallons of hot water per minute. With higher water temperatures, also comes a slower output rate. Without being able to heat a large amount of water at one time, the tankless water heater is unreliable to use for multiple fixtures at the same time. For example, using the dishwasher and taking a shower at the same time can slow down the rate at which the water is put out and the pressure of the water. However, this can be corrected by installing a large whole-house heater or multiple heaters, which will greatly increase the cost.
3. With tankless water heaters, maintenance costs increase; maintenance includes a de-lime procedure to remove hard water deposits, flushing every 6 months or so, and regular service at least once a year. The tankless water heater is quite a sophisticated appliance all those maintenance procedures are best left to the professionals.
There are cases where tankless water heaters are a better option. However, we feel like a typically family living outside of the western states where water is like gold, will not see a payback for the additional investment.