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Tankless Water Heater Installation
1-800-Plumber +Air of Plymouth

Did you know that an eight-minute shower already uses about eight gallons of hot water? Doing the math, this means you use a gallon of hot water per minute that you shower!

That's a lot of hot water and heating energy that goes into a single shower. So, it's no wonder that water heating accounts for about 18% of a household's energy costs. However, if you have a tank water heater in your Plymouth, MN home, it likely uses even more energy.

A Rinnai tankless water heater installation, in this case, can help you save on heating costs.

To that end, we came up with this guide covering tank vs. tankless water heaters. Read on to learn how a tankless system works, why Rinnai is a good brand, and how 1-800-Plumber +Air can help.

Tankless Water Heater vs. Tank Water Heater:
A Quick Comparison

Tank water heaters are heaters that rely on a massive water storage tank. The tank not only serves as a container, but it's also where the heating of the water takes place. At the bottom of the tank's interior is a heating element that heats the water.

Tankless water heaters don't rely on tanks; instead, they heat water only when you need hot water. That's why many refer to these as "on-demand heaters." Some also call them "instantaneous heaters," but note that they still take a minute or so to produce hot water.

Heating With a Tank Water Heater

As the water turns hot from the tank's heating component, it rises to the top of the tank. From there, the hot water is ready for use, flowing out the heat-out pipe once you run a hot water tap.

When you do run a hot water faucet, cold water flows into the tank through a "dip tube." This unheated water then displaces the water at the bottom of the tank, making the heated water rise. The cold water at the bottom then gets heated to replace the hot water that you've used.

As you can see, the process of heating is quite simple, with a tanked water heating system. However, there's quite a bit of energy loss that takes place between hot water usage. This is what you call "standby heat loss."

Standby heat losses refer to the heat energy waste that arises from not using the hot water stored in the tank. According to estimates, such losses range anywhere from 3% to 43%.

Heating With a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters rely on the technology called "heat exchange." For this, they use a heat exchanger, a device that moves heat from one location or source to another. Some tankless heating systems use an electric heating coil, while others use a burner.

In any case, running a hot water faucet activates the heat exchanger. The device gets triggered by the flow of incoming cold water. Once activated, the device transfers heat to the cold water.

The cold water circulates within the unit until it reaches the preset temperature. Once it gets warm enough, the heated water then flows out of your hot water tap. From here, you can enjoy a constant supply of hot water so long as you have the tap running.

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Common Tankless Water Heater FAQs

Now that you know more about how tankless heaters work let's get into more of the finer details. Below we'll discuss their benefits, including their efficiency. However, note that they also have a few drawbacks, such as higher initial cost.

What Are the Top Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater?

One of the primary benefits of tankless water heaters is that they don't have standby heat losses. Again, that's because they don't need to store hot water for later use. They only consume energy when you turn on a hot water tap.

No Standby Heat Loss Means More Savings

Since they don't have standby heat losses, tankless heaters can help cut your energy bills. Under the right conditions, they can trim your water heating expenses by about 10% to 24%.

Such "conditions" are dependent on how much hot water your household uses every day. If you and your family use less than 41 gallons of hot water a day, a tankless heater can cut your heating costs by 24% a year. If your daily hot water demands exceed 41 gallons, you may still be able to reduce yearly water heating costs by 10%.

No Need to Wait Long for Hot Water

Aside from energy savings, there's also the convenience of always having hot water. Remember, tankless heaters don't have to store or heat water in a tank. So, you won't have to worry about running out of hot water and showering in ice-cold water.

Uninterrupted Flow of Hot Water

Speaking of cold water, were you aware that there's such a thing as a "cold water shock?" It can happen when your body gets exposed to water that's below 70 °Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that cold water makes the body lose heat 25 times faster than cold air.

The thing is, water supplies in Plymouth, MN, can get really cold during fall and winter. So, if you run out of hot water while in the shower, you can get "shocked" by the cold water. This alone can cause accidents in the bathroom, such as slips and falls.

So, that should be another good reason to consider a tankless water heater. This way, you can avoid dangerous situations in the bathroom.

What About Potential Drawbacks?

While tankless heaters deliver constant hot water, they do have limited flow rates. This means that simultaneous use can restrict their water flow and pressure.

For example, you may notice that your hot water becomes more "tepid" if you run several hot water taps at the same time. This can happen if you shower in one bathroom and another family member also bathes in another. The more hot water taps you simultaneously use, the less "hot" the water can get.

Another potential drawback is that installation is more expensive for tankless water heaters. The price itself of a tankless heating system is higher than a tank heater.

The average cost to install a tankless water heater ranges from $1,000 to over $3,000. On the other hand, a tank heating system only costs about $800 to a little over $1,500.

Does a Tankless Water Heater Make Sense for Plymouth, MN Residents?

Yes, it does, as the city's average low temperature throughout the year is below 70 °Fahrenheit. This means that there's always a risk of getting icy water, whatever season it may be. An on-demand heater can help you avoid "cold water shocks."

Factors That Affect Tankless Water Heater Cost

The cost of living in Plymouth, MN, is about 8% higher than the nationwide average. Because of this, you can expect to pay a bit higher for services like water heater installation.

Another factor that affects your final cost is the number of tankless heaters you need. It's best to get at least two tankless water heaters to avoid dealing with limited water output. It's also a good idea to install more than one tankless heater if you have a large family.

Investing in Rinnai Tankless Water Heater Installation

Rinnai is one of Japan's leading tankless water heater manufacturers. So much so that it accounts for about 40% of Japan's water heater market. It's a brand known for high-quality tankless units with some of the longest warranties.

Fortunately, Rinnai has expanded its reach to include the United States. As such, you can now get durable Rinnai tankless water heaters for your home in Plymouth, MN.

Choosing 1-800-Plumber +Air of Plymouth for Your Water Heater Installation Project

1-800-Plumber +Air of Plymouth, MN, is your go-to for all your plumbing and HVAC needs. Our team specializes in all plumbing-related services, including tankless water heating installations. You can also rely on us to provide you with a warranty-backed Rinnai system.

Note that the Plymouth, MN government requires permits for any plumbing alteration. This includes the installation or replacement of water heating systems.

If you hire 1-800-Plumber +Air, you no longer have to worry about these plumbing permits. Our team will be the one to file and request all necessary permits on your behalf. This ensures that your project meets all safety standards set forth by the city.

Rest assured that 1-800-Plumber +Air of Plymouth is a fully-licensed business. All our liability insurance policies are up-to-date and valid. Moreover, our hardworking personnel carries adequate workers' compensation coverage.

We are confident of the high-quality services we provide, which is why we back them up with guarantees. So, aside from the Rinnai product warranty, you also get a service guarantee from us. If you're unhappy in any way, just let us know, and we'll strive hard until we satisfy your demands.

As mentioned above, we are also a full-service heating and cooling company. This means that you can rely on us not only for water heaters but also for your furnace, boiler, or air conditioner. We can install, repair, maintain, or replace all components of your HVAC system.

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Mason with 1-800-Plumber first listened to my issues and past experiences with other plumbing companies. He did a thorough diagnosis of the problem and found a solution, the correct solution which wasn't the most expensive solution. Thanks for your honesty Mason.

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Serving Plymouth, MN
and the Surrounding Areas

1-800-Plumber +Air of Plymouth
3030 Harbor Lane N. Suite 124
Plymouth , MN 55447
(763) 210-5997

Our Service Area Cities:
Hopkins, Minnetonka, Long Lake, Wayzata, Minneapolis.

Our Service Area Zip Codes:
55305 55343 55345 55356 55391 55410 55416 55424 55426 55436 55441 55442 55446 55447.