18% of Energy Bills Due to Hot Water Heaters
One of the simplest luxuries is a hot shower or bath. Did you know, after heating and cooling, the largest energy expense to homeowners is hot water heaters? At Apollo Home, we carry a variety of traditional storage and tankless hot water heaters. We are happy to discuss your concerns and recommend, install, and service the model best for you.
Pros and Cons of Storage Hot Water Heaters
Most of us grew up with this style and probably have owned a few. It remains the least expensive to purchase and install. It is still used predominantly by homeowners and builders looking to contain the initial cost of ownership.
This kind can also run out of hot water if your usage spikes. If you have a large family, you probably avoid taking showers in a row and running the washer or dishwasher at the same time. No one likes being the one in the shower when the hot water runs out. The hot water tank can take some time to refill.
If, however, you are concerned about energy use, this type is not the best option. Traditional storage hot water heaters suffer “energy loss”. This comes from heating a whole tank of water which then loses heat as it sits, waiting to be used.
This is so prevalent, most now have a “vacation setting” so you can dial it down while you’re away from home. Why heat this giant tank, if no one is home to use it? Ask yourself, though, how often have you gone to the basement or garage to switch the setting, when you’re focused on getting out the door?
Life expectancy for these models is around 10 – 15 years, and they should be maintained by a qualified plumber for the most reliable service.
Benefits of Tankless Hot Water Heaters
If you’ll pardon the pun, tankless hot water heaters are “hot” right now. More and more homeowners call to install them every month. These energy-saving models do not lose energy through “standby loss”, because they do not maintain a tank of hot water at all times.
Instead, tankless hot water heaters are referred to as “on-demand” water heaters. When you need hot water, the tankless hot water heater delivers it to you.
Because it’s not constantly maintaining heat for a tank full of water and losing some of the heat to standby loss, a tankless hot water heater is more energy efficient. According to Energy.gov, a tankless model can be between 8 and 34 percent more energy efficient than a storage model. An average family can save $100 a year.
Tankless hot water heaters last longer than their storage counterparts, by almost double. A 20+ year lifespan plus the energy savings negates the initial purchase and installation cost for most. Finally, if you plan on selling your home in the future, a tankless hot water heater is a nice perk for home buyers.
Maintenance for Hot Water Heaters is Important for Reliable Service
Extend the life of your home mechanicals with a preventative maintenance plan, like the Apollo Care Plan. In addition to heating and cooling tune-ups, the Plan provides an annual evaluation of your electrical and plumbing systems.
The Plan saves you time, money, and worry. It is designed to preserve your home’s mechanical systems and comes with many benefits, including a VIP priority service phone number. Regular service also protects most manufacturer warranties.
Contact the Cincinnati home services leader – Apollo Home. Over the last 100 years, we’ve learned a lot and can use it to help you. We’re eager to share our expertise about home mechanicals to keep you and your family safe and more comfortable.
Our friendly plumbing professionals are licensed, industry-certified, and insured. They also pass rigorous background checks for your peace of mind. Also, as part of our commitment to professional development, they receive paid continuing education.
This helps them to stay current with all brands and emerging technology. They are happy to answer questions about plumbing services and how to care for hot water heaters. Need an HVAC technician or an electrician? We can help there, too!
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