Tankless hot water heaters have taken off in popularity since their widespread introduction about a decade ago. Frank Weglarz, an HVAC expert in Chicago, notes that the number of calls he gets about installing tankless water heaters increases every year. "In the beginning, most people did not even know about the tankless option," he says. "Now, at least one call a week is from someone wanting information on a tankless heater. Many of them are under the impression that they can save money by installing these water heaters, and I am often able to tell them that they are right."

Weglarz installs many tankless water heaters thanks to his ability to quickly and professional answer the questions of his client base. However, he also points out that, while there are definite benefits to tankless water heaters, they are not the right choice for everyone. "You have to consider your reasons for installing a tankless heater and your ultimate hot water savings versus the cost, which can be significant."

The cost for a tankless hot water heater can be broken down into three sections: the cost of the water heater itself; the cost of installation; and the cost of retrofitting, such as installing a gas line to convert from an electric to a gas-powered heater. "Many people prefer gas tankless heaters, but if you have an electric tank water heater there will have to be some work done to create the right setup for your new gas heater. This can mean more expense on the front end of installing a tankless water heater," notes Weglarz. "Additionally, you want to install the best tankless heater you can afford. Spending a little more may mean years of service over a cheaper model. Finally, it is much less expensive to install a tankless heater where there was already a model in place rather than changing over from a tank heater, even if both models were gas- or electric-powered."

While the initial cost of a tankless heater may seem a bit overwhelming, the money saved in electric bills can more than counter the cost of the new system. However, Weglarz warns against assuming that this will always be the case. "For a family that uses a great deal of hot water every day, a tankless water heater can be a smart investment. If you do several loads of clothes, have several people taking showers and run the dishwasher daily, you are using quite a bit of hot water. That means you probably have a relatively large hot water holding tank. If that is the case, a tankless may be a great investment for you, because you are avoiding heating water when you do not need to. On the other hand, if you have a very small water heater that is ample for your needs, you may not save enough by installing a tankless to justify the cost." Further, the "on demand" nature of the tankless may actually work against the family from a cost-saving standpoint if family members now thing they can take showers for as long as they like or run the dishwasher half-empty.

No matter what type of water heater a customer currently has, a tankless will usually cost less to run. However, if the savings are only $70 per year, it is going to take more than a decade to recover the cost of switching to tankless in most cases. Weglarz notes that this is not always the best solution. "Switching to tankless water heating solutions should always be done with attention to the real cost of the system, not just because it is more energy efficient," notes Weglarz. "Today's standard hot water heaters are much more efficient than those of just a few years ago, so it is possible to save energy by simply upgrading your existing hot water heater without spending a fortune to do so." Some tips Weglarz offers for choosing the right water heater include calculating how much hot water your family actually needs then choosing the right size water heater for your needs. "You may be surprised how small a water heater you can choose when you pay attention to your hot water needs and regulate your use even slightly," says Weglarz. "For example, if you can stagger the family's showers and limit them to five or ten minutes, you can use hot water throughout the day and therefore use a smaller tank. Additionally, you can save hot water by washing clothing in cold water when possible and washing dishes during non-peak times, running the dishwasher only when you have a full load."

Ultimately, the decision to "go green" with a tankless water heater cannot be made in a vacuum, says Weglarz. "You and your family must decide if you want to spend the money for an on-demand water heater because it is more energy efficient or because it better fits your needs, or whether you can make slight adjustments to your water usage habits and achieve the same effect." By making adjustments to water usage habits, choosing a highly-rated water heater and paying attention to insulation ratings, families can save money on energy costs whether they choose a traditional or a tankless hot water heater.

For more information on tankless water heaters or other HVAC issues, see Frank Weglarz at http://lexislegis.com/amigal/blog/view/2528/frank-weglarz-professional-frank-weglarz-%E2%80%93-your-perfect-hvac-specialist , https://www.linkedin.com/in/frankweglarz or https://www.facebook.com/frank.weglarz.1

About Frank Weglarz:

Frank Weglarz, "The HVAC Guy," offers professional heating and air conditioning service as well as tankless hot water heaters and other energy-saving devices for the home, all at affordable prices. Frank and his team are ready to help homeowners find the perfect HVAC solutions to their needs and deliver professional results for any heating or air conditioning repairs and installations.

For More Information:
Frank Weglarz
Action Air HAC Construction Inc.
625 North Main St
Highland Park, IL 60137
(847) 712-1275
[email protected]