What is a Tankless Water Heater?
Unlike traditional tank water heaters that store and constantly heat a large volume of water, a tankless water heater heats water on demand. When you turn on a hot water tap, cold water flows through a heat exchanger in the unit. A gas burner or electric element rapidly heats the water as it passes through, delivering hot water directly to your faucet or appliance without delay. When the tap is turned off, the heating stops. This on-demand process is what makes tankless systems more energy efficient than tank systems, as they only consume energy when hot water is needed.
Benefits of Choosing a Tankless Water Heater for Your Duarte Home
Opting for a tankless water heater offers several advantages that appeal to Duarte homeowners:
- Endless Hot Water: The most significant benefit is the continuous supply of hot water. You can run multiple showers, appliances, or faucets simultaneously without worrying about depleting the hot water reserve, a common limitation with tank systems.
- Energy Efficiency: By heating water only when it's needed, tankless units eliminate standby energy losses associated with keeping a tank of water hot around the clock. This can lead to noticeable reductions in your energy bills over time.
- Longer Lifespan: Tankless water heaters typically last significantly longer than traditional tank units, often up to twice as long with proper maintenance. This represents a good long-term investment.
- Space Saving: Tankless units are much smaller and mount on a wall, freeing up valuable floor space compared to bulky tank heaters, which is particularly beneficial in homes with limited utility space.
- Reduced Risk of Leaks: Without a large tank storing water, the risk of a catastrophic leak and resulting water damage is substantially reduced.
Our Duarte Tankless Water Heater Services
We provide comprehensive services for all your tankless water heater needs right here in Duarte, CA. Our team is equipped to handle everything from initial consultations and installation to complex repairs and routine maintenance.
Tankless Water Heater Installation
Proper installation is paramount to the performance and longevity of a tankless water heater. Our Water Heater Installation & Replacement process in Duarte involves a thorough assessment of your home's hot water needs, existing plumbing, and energy source (gas or electric). We help you select the appropriately sized unit for your household to ensure it meets your demand.
The installation process typically includes:
- Removing and disposing of your old water heater (if applicable).
- Preparing the installation site, including ensuring proper venting for gas units or adequate electrical supply for electric units.
- Mounting the new tankless unit securely.
- Connecting the water and gas (or electrical) lines.
- Installing necessary components like sediment filters, service valves, and condensate drains (for condensing units).
- Testing the system thoroughly to ensure proper operation, correct temperature, and no leaks.
- Explaining how to operate your new unit.
Factors influencing installation complexity and cost include the type and size of the unit, its location within your home, whether new gas lines or electrical circuits are needed, and the requirements for venting. We work with leading brands known for quality and reliability, such as Noritz, Rinnai, and Navien, offering options like highly efficient condensing units.
Tankless Water Heater Repair
Even the most reliable systems may require repair over time. If your tankless water heater is not performing as expected, our Water Heaters Repair service in Duarte can diagnose and fix the issue efficiently. Common signs that your tankless unit might need repair include:
- Displaying error codes.
- Not providing hot water or only providing lukewarm water.
- Fluctuating water temperature.
- Hearing strange noises coming from the unit.
- Low water pressure when using hot water.
Our skilled technicians are experienced in troubleshooting issues specific to tankless systems, from ignition problems and sensor failures to mineral buildup and venting issues. We use advanced diagnostic tools to identify the root cause of the problem and perform durable repairs to restore your hot water supply quickly and reliably.
Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
Regular maintenance is essential to keep your tankless water heater running efficiently, prevent costly breakdowns, and extend its lifespan. One of the most critical maintenance tasks is flushing the unit to remove mineral deposits (scale) that can build up inside the heat exchanger, especially in areas with hard water like parts of Southern California.
Our tankless water heater maintenance service typically includes:
- Flushing the heat exchanger with a descaling solution to remove mineral buildup.
- Inspecting the unit for any signs of wear, leaks, or corrosion.
- Checking and cleaning filters.
- Testing the ignition system, temperature and pressure relief valve, and other components.
- Verifying proper venting and combustion air supply for gas units.
The recommended frequency for maintenance, particularly flushing, varies depending on your water hardness and usage, but typically ranges from annually to every other year. Routine maintenance not only ensures optimal performance and energy efficiency but also helps identify potential problems before they lead to a complete system failure. Consider joining a maintenance plan like the Power Club to stay on top of necessary services for all your home comfort systems.
Tankless vs. Tank Water Heaters: A Comparison
Deciding between a tankless and a traditional tank water heater is a significant decision for any Duarte homeowner. Here's a brief comparison:
Tankless Water Heater
- Hot Water Supply: On-demand, continuous
- Energy Use: Heats only when needed; highly efficient
- Lifespan: 15–20+ years with proper maintenance
- Space: Compact and wall-mounted, saves room
- Initial Cost: Generally higher
- Operating Cost: Lower energy bills due to no standby heat loss
- Installation: Can be more complex (requires proper venting and upgraded gas/electric lines)
- Maintenance: Requires periodic flushing to prevent mineral scaling
Traditional Tank Water Heater
- Hot Water Supply: Stores a fixed volume; can run out Energy Use: Continuously heats water; lower efficiency
- Lifespan: 10–15 years
- Space: Large, floor-standing tank that needs more room
- Initial Cost: Generally lower
- Operating Cost: Higher energy bills due to standby heat loss
- Installation: Simpler and more straightforward
- Maintenance: Minimal; check anode rod periodically to prevent corrosion
While the upfront cost of a tankless unit is often higher, the potential savings on energy bills and the longer lifespan can result in a lower total cost of ownership over the life of the unit.
Local Expertise in Duarte, CA
Serving the Duarte community means understanding the specific needs and conditions of homes in the area. We are familiar with local plumbing codes and regulations, ensuring all installations and repairs are performed safely and meet necessary standards. Our technicians are located and dispatched to areas like Duarte, allowing for prompt and reliable service when you need it most.
Energy Efficiency and Potential Rebates
Installing an energy-efficient tankless water heater can not only reduce your carbon footprint but may also qualify you for local or state energy efficiency rebates. Energy-efficient models, particularly ENERGY STAR certified units, use less energy, leading to lower utility bills. We can provide information on the potential energy savings you might achieve with a new tankless installation and discuss the types of units that are most efficient. Researching current rebate programs offered by local utility companies, such as Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) or the state, is recommended, as these programs can help offset the initial cost of a high-efficiency unit.