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Tankless Water Heaters: Condensing vs. Non-Condensing

Tankless water heater installation installed in Houston bathroom with aqua tiles
Tankless water heater installation helps save you money on energy costs and conveniently produces hot water on demand.

Are you looking for a more energy efficient hot water system for your home? Tankless water heater installation in Houston offers a modern solution to conventional tank-style units that we’ve been using since forever. There are two major types of tankless water heaters to choose from: condensing and non-condensing. These have their own unique set of features, benefits, and drawbacks. In this blog post, we’ll look at the differences between these two types of tankless water heaters so that you can make an informed decision when it comes to upgrading yours! Ready to learn more about how each type works and which one might be best for your needs? Let’s get started — it’s time to dive into all things tankless water heaters!

If you need tankless water heater installation or other plumbing services, reach out to our experts today.

What are Tankless Water Heaters?

Tankless water heater installation in Houston is becoming increasingly popular. These water heaters provide an efficient solution for providing hot water on demand. So, there’s no more worrying about running out of hot water in the middle of a shower! Generally, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than tank-style models as they only use energy as needed to heat up the required amount of water instead of constantly keeping a tank of stored hot water. When properly installed, a tankless system can often provide a long-term cost savings compared to tank-style systems; however, tankless water heater installation can be a bit tricky, so make sure you hire a qualified professional for the job.

What are Condensing Tankless Water Heaters?

A condensing tankless water heater is a kind of energy-efficient appliance for heating your home’s water supply. Like all tankless water heaters, they produce an endless supply of hot water on demand and require less energy to operate than traditional storage tank heaters. They only heat the necessary amount of water when you turn on a faucet or use a hot water fixture.

Condensing units re-use steam from the unit to provide extra heating power. They use a second heat exchanger to take advantage of as much heat energy as possible. They only vent the water vapor after it’s no longer useful for heating water. This makes them incredibly energy efficient.

Pros and Cons of Condensing Tankless Water Heater Installation for Your Home

Condensing tankless water heaters offer a wealth of benefits. Not only do they provide hot water on demand, but they also are incredibly energy efficient. As far as energy costs and usage, condensing water heaters are the clear winner. However, keep in mind that they are also more expensive because of the extra components for the other heat exchanger. Additionally, because there are more components, there are more things that can potentially break and require repairs.

What is a non-condensing tankless water heater?

Non-condensing tankless water heaters do not have an extra heat exchanger. Instead, they vent the extra steam as needed to help cool the unit. This steam generally goes through the normal home exhaust system to send the water vapor outside. Because they don’t use all the heat available from the vapors, they do vent gases that are much hotter than condensing water heaters.

Pros and Cons of Non-Condensing Tankless Water Heater Installation

One of the key benefits of a non-condensing tankless water heater is that it’s often less expensive for both the unit and for tankless water heater installation. Since they have fewer components, they’re almost always less expensive to purchase than condensing units. Also, non-condensing tankless water heaters can use your home’s current ventilation system to exhaust steam and gases. This can make tankless water heater installation faster and easier, which, in turn, often makes it less expensive.

Of course, there are some downsides to consider as well. For one, these units are not as efficient as condensing tankless water heaters. While they’re still wildly more efficient than conventional water heaters, there is more energy loss because these don’t feature an added heat exchanger to take advantage of all the heat energy it could.

Best Practices for Maintaining Your Tankless Water Heater

A tankless water heater is a great investment in your home, as it can provide on-demand hot water without taking up extra space. However, just like any appliance, it’s important to perform proper maintenance to keep things running smoothly and mitigate potential problems. One of the first things to do is make sure you get professional water heater installation from a qualified plumber. This can prevent installation issues that might increase the wear and tear over time.

Additionally, it’s important to get regular inspections for your tankless water heater. Inspections can detect issues early to prevent failure (and an unexpectedly cold shower). During these services, your plumber will also flush out the unit to remove any mineral deposits that can accumulate on interior components.

Choose the Right Plumber for Tankless Water Heater Installation in Houston

Finding a residential plumber for tankless water heater installation is an important decision. With so many options available, it is essential to do your research and choose the right one for the job. Read reviews from other customers and experienced plumbers to ensure you are getting top quality service. Ask any residential plumber you consider about their experience in tankless water heater installations, as well as any certifications they may have that would make them more qualified than others. Also, make sure the residential plumber you choose is licensed and insured to carry out this type of work, and has successfully completed several similar installations before. Taking these steps will help make sure your tankless water heater will be installed quickly, efficiently and safely.

Expert Water Heater Installation from Santhoff Plumbing

The benefits of tankless water heaters are exciting, and Santhoff Plumbing is here to make sure you get the right kind of heater for your needs! We offer extensive experience with both conventional and tankless water heaters, whether you need installation or repairs. If you’re considering tankless water heater installation for your home, choose our team for the job. We boat 49 years of plumbing experience and have highly trained personnel ready to tackle any job. Contact us today to schedule service and find out how tankless water heaters can improve your day-to-day life.