Standby Heat Loss
Standby Heat Loss | Tankless Water Heater Install | Plumbing | Newcomb
Imagine never running out of hot water while trimming your energy bills—HEP makes it possible for Newcomb homeowners. By eliminating bulky tanks that constantly radiate unused heat, our standby heat loss plumbing solutions deliver instant, on-demand warmth with amazing efficiency. You’ll enjoy shorter wait times at the tap, lower monthly utilities and valuable extra space where a tank used to sit, all backed by our courteous, certified technicians.
Our team handles every stage of your tankless water heater install, from precision sizing and seamless retrofits to meticulous clean-up and user guidance. We work with industry-leading brands, leverage advanced venting techniques to protect indoor air quality, and stand behind each installation with rock-solid warranties and 24/7 local support. Upgrade once, and feel the difference every time you turn on the hot water.
FAQs
What is “stand-by heat loss” and why should I be concerned about it?
Stand-by heat loss is the energy a traditional storage-tank water heater wastes while keeping 40–80 gallons of water hot around the clock, even when no one is using hot water. This constant reheating can account for 10–20 % of a home’s total water-heating costs. In Newcomb’s cooler climate, the temperature difference between the tank and the surrounding basement or utility room can be large, so the appliance works even harder, wasting more energy and money.
How does a tankless water heater eliminate stand-by heat loss?
Tankless (on-demand) units contain no storage tank. When a hot-water tap opens, cold water flows through a high-efficiency heat exchanger that fires only while water is moving. Because there is no 24-hour reservoir of hot water, there is virtually zero stand-by loss—energy is consumed only when you actually need hot water. Once the tap is closed, the burner or electric element shuts off, saving energy automatically.
Is a tankless system suitable for the water quality and winter temperatures we have in Newcomb?
Yes. Modern gas and electric tankless models are designed to operate efficiently in cold climates like Newcomb’s. They include powerful burners or heating elements that can raise incoming water temperatures by 70 °F or more—enough to deliver 2–5 GPM of 120 °F water even when the Adirondack water supply is near freezing in February. If hard-water scale is a concern, we can install a small sediment filter or a scale-reduction system to protect the heat exchanger and maintain efficiency.
How do I choose the right size (flow rate) tankless water heater for my home?
Sizing is based on two factors: (1) your home’s peak simultaneous hot-water demand, and (2) the temperature rise needed from the incoming water to your desired set-point. During our free on-site estimate we add up the flow rates of fixtures likely to run together—e.g., one shower (2 GPM) plus a kitchen sink (1 GPM) totals 3 GPM. We then check the winter ground-water temperature (about 40 °F) and calculate the delta to 120 °F (80 °F rise). For that example we’d recommend a 150–180 k BTU gas unit or a 27 kW electric model capable of 3 GPM at an 80 °F rise. If you often run two showers and a dishwasher, we’d step up to 199 k BTU or 36 kW models.
What should I expect during the installation process?
Most residential tankless installations in Newcomb take one full work-day. We (1) shut off gas, electric, and water supplies; (2) safely drain and remove the old tank; (3) mount the compact tankless unit on the wall; (4) run new venting (for gas units) through an exterior wall or roof; (5) upsize the gas line or upgrade electrical wiring if needed; (6) connect cold-water, hot-water, and condensate drains; and (7) test, purge air, and program the controller. You’ll be without hot water for only 4–6 hours, and we haul away the old tank for recycling.
How much can I save on energy bills, and are rebates available in our area?
Households switching from a standard gas tank to a high-efficiency condensing tankless unit typically save 25–40 % on annual water-heating costs—about $100–$200 a year in Newcomb at current utility rates. Electric-to-tankless conversions save even more if you previously used electric resistance tanks. National Grid and NYSEG periodically offer $200–$400 rebates for ENERGY STAR-certified gas tankless models, and New York State’s Clean Heat program provides incentives for electric heat-pump water heaters. We handle the paperwork so you receive every rebate and tax credit you qualify for.