If you're in the market for a new water heater, you may have come across the term 'tankless'. But what are the risks of installing a tankless water heater on your own?
Tankless water heaters offer many benefits to homeowners. For starters, they don't require an outside gas line or vent, which means there are no additional installation costs. Tankless water heaters are also more energy efficient than conventional tank water heaters. They also last longer. On average, a tankless water heater will last about 20 years compared to the 8-10 year lifespan of conventional water heaters.
But before you install a tankless water heater on your own, you should consider the risks.
Do-it-yourself installation could go poorly
Many homeowners attempt to install water heaters on their own. In some cases, these homeowners are successful without any problems, but others encounter issues that are beyond their ability or knowledge level to handle. In those cases, the homeowner either has to get assistance from someone else or hire a professional plumber to fix the problems.
In addition, if you decide to install a tankless water heater on your own, you'll need to make sure it's hooked up properly. If not, the water heater may function incorrectly or not at all. An improperly installed tankless water heater can lead to flooding and other problems.
You could cause expensive property damage
Improperly installing a new water heater could cause property damage as well. For example, you may not completely cover the piping that leads to the tankless water heater. As a result, if you have a leaky pipe, condensation could leak from the tank into your home's interior.
If your water heater isn't hooked up correctly or has a damaged pipe, foreign materials may collect in the appliance and cause it to fail prematurely. In some cases, these improperly installed water heaters can also become a fire hazard.
The biggest benefit, however, is the price tag. Tankless water heaters tend to be much more expensive than a tanked model, but they don't require the extra installation cost and they provide constant hot water via an on-demand system instead of a tank that stores hot water.
The price difference is especially noticeable during the winter months. A tanked water heater can cost $4,000 or more depending on your location, but a tankless water heater can cost anywhere from $2,000 to $3,000.
But how do you know if a tankless unit is right for you? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tankless water heaters should only be installed in situations where there are no vents, pipes or electrical circuits in the area to create a thermal shock risk. If you're concerned about installation costs and safety, you can purchase a tankless water heater through a licensed installer.
If you are installing your own tankless water heater, here's what you need to know:
Installation Process :
Most tankless units come with a built-in timer. To install your tankless water heater, you'll have to cut the piping and run a new pipe from the cold water inlet to the unit. You'll also need to cut the piping from your existing hot water heater and drill a hole in the wall. Before cutting any pipes, make sure you're well-versed with these installation instructions.
Most tankless units come with a built-in timer. To install your tankless water heater, you'll have to cut the piping and run a new pipe from the cold water inlet to the unit. You'll also need to cut the piping from your existing hot water heater and drill a hole in the wall. Before cutting any pipes, make sure you're well-versed with these installation instructions. Getting it Inspected : Even though there are no vents or pipes, you still need to get your new unit inspected by a gas certified technician (in most states). This is crucial to ensure the unit isn't producing any dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Plus, it will show local officials the water heater was installed by a professional.
Even though there are no vents or pipes, you still need to get your new unit inspected by a gas certified technician (in most states). This is crucial to ensure the unit isn't producing any dangerous levels of carbon monoxide. Plus, it will show local officials the water heater was installed by a professional. Before you Call a Plumber: In order to make sure the unit doesn't run too hot, you'll want to run some water and check the temperature before you turn on the water. On average, a tankless unit will work at around 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Conclusion:
Tankless water heaters are a great investment for those who don't want to store hot water. And they provide constant hot water during shorter periods. On average, they are more expensive than tanked models, but that difference can be significant during the winter months. If you're on a tight budget, consider leasing a tankless unit instead.
Author Bio :- Angela Louise
Angela is a marketing manager at EZ Plumbing USA. She has a great interest in educating readers about various leakages that can happen in their home or offices through her articles. With extensive knowledge of water leak and slab leak detection techniques as well as HVAC systems, Angela wants to make readers aware about the warning signs indicating leakage and predictive AC and Heater maintenance and also how to fix them to refrain from dangerous and costly consequences.
Read articles to get more valuable information about detection and damages of water and slab leak repair, techniques to fix clogging, and installation and maintenance of AC & Appliance in San Diego.
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