Tankless Water Heater Cost in Lancaster, PA
Tankless water heaters offer numerous benefits that make them a great alternative to traditional tank models. Instead of storing a large volume of hot water, tankless water heaters heat water on demand. With a tankless water heater, you’ll be able to enjoy continuous hot water without ever needing to worry about running out. Tankless units are also more efficient. While there are many benefits to upgrading to a tankless water heater, it’s important to understand the initial and ongoing costs when deciding whether installing one is the right option for your home.
Comparing the Cost of Installing a Tankless vs. a Tank Water Heater
The main reason that some homeowners are still hesitant to switch to a tankless water heater is the higher cost of installation. On average, you can usually expect to pay somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 more to install a tankless water heater than you’d pay to install a tank unit. While that may sound like a lot, upgrading to a tankless unit can still pay off in the end.
One reason tankless water heaters are worth the investment is that they use less energy. They also have a much longer life expectancy. Tank water heaters usually only last for eight to 12 years at the most, whereas a properly installed tankless water heater will typically last for 20 to 30 years. When you factor in the energy savings and the longer lifespan, a tankless unit is almost always the most cost-effective option overall.
Factors That Impact the Cost of Tankless Water Heater Installation
The main factor in how much it costs to install a tankless water heater is the number of people in your family and the total amount of hot water you need at any given time. Larger households obviously have higher hot water demands, necessitating a larger water heater. Tankless water heaters are measured in flow rate, which is how many gallons of hot water they can produce per minute.
Smaller units can generally only provide enough hot water to supply one shower and one faucet at a time. If your family needs to have two showers running at the same time or you want to be able to shower while the dishwasher or washing machine is on, you’ll need to install a larger unit with a higher flow rate.
If the flow rate isn’t high enough, you’ll experience issues with temperature fluctuations or the water not being hot enough whenever multiple fixtures are using hot water at the same time. The fixture closest to the water heater will typically still have sufficient hot water, but the water heater won’t be able to produce enough to supply the fixture that’s further away.
When switching to a tankless water heater, it’s always necessary to make at least some adjustments to the existing cold and hot water pipes that connect to the unit. Tankless water heaters are mounted on the wall instead of on the floor, which means you need to reroute the pipes as well as the gas line or electrical wiring. If it’s not possible to install the tankless water heater on the wall next to where the old unit was, the installation cost will be higher due to the extra work required to retrofit the pipes, the gas line or the wiring.
How Much Can You Save on Your Energy Bills With a Tankless Water Heater?
While tankless water heaters are much more efficient, the amount of energy you can save by switching to one depends largely on the size of your household and how much hot water you use. Households with a lower hot water demand (under 40 gallons per day) will usually lower their water heating costs by 24% to 34%. If your household typically uses around 80-85 gallons a day, you should still see savings of around 8-14%.
Your total savings also depend on the model you choose. Conventional gas units are often only around 80% efficient, whereas condensing units can be up to 99% efficient. Tankless electric water heaters really only make sense for small, low-usage households, as they have a much higher energy demand.
Find the Best Solution for Your Family Today
At Lancaster Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical, we specialize in the full range of water heater services. We carry a selection of quality tankless and tank water heaters and will make sure you get the best option for your home. We also have financing options for water heater installation available on approved credit.
To schedule any water heater service for your Lancaster home, contact us today.
