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Tankless Water Heater Installation
Water heaters tend to misbehave every 7 to 15 years. So, rather than be caught unawares and then make hasty decisions to find a replacement, it is always a good idea to be prepared. Tankless water heaters are more popular now as they require less room and are more energy efficient. Traditionally, most houses have water heaters with a tank. This gives you stand by hot water but they use up more energy and are most costly to buy and run. Most often traditional tank water heaters account for 10% - 20% of a home’s water heating bill, which is quite steep when you think about it. Therefore you are better off installing a tankless electric water heater.
The advantage of tankless water heaters is that they produce hot water on demand rather than a constant supply of hot water whether it is being used or not. With a tankless water heater, you don’t have to heat water all day long. The best part about tankless water heaters is that they can even result in tax incentives.
Here are a few signs to watch out for when trying to figure out whether your water heater needs replacing or not.
1. If the water heater is over 15 yrs old.
2. The water is not getting heated properly or if the water is not heating up at all.
3. If the tank is leaking and or there is a lot of corrosion on it.
4. The tank has rusted through and / or there is a lot of moisture at the base.
5. The tank gives out a very bad smell and / or there is rust colored water coming out
If you plan on upgrading to a tankless water heater then you need the following electrical requirements:
Voltage – most tankless water heaters accommodate 110v, 120v, 208v, 220v, 240v and 277v
Amperage – Different heaters will vary in amp draw. You need to make sure your system can support the electrical demands of the tankless water heater.
Circuit breaker – make sure you have a circuit breaker that will support your tankless water heater. You may find it to be a good idea to have a dedicated circuit for your water heater.
Once you have decided to install a tankless water heater, call your electricians and ask them for their advice. It is also a good idea to get a qualified electrician to install the heater for you.