than 50 percent chance of persuading him or her to make the switch. Anyone who has suffered through a cold- water shower never wants to experience that misery again, and tankless provides that reassurance: “Endless hot water” is by far the No. 1 reason a consumer goes tankless. Once the contractor has persuaded the consumer to
switch, selling up to a condensing tankless solution should not be difficult. As I noted earlier, using PVC venting lowers installation time and expense, helping to defray the extra cost of a condensing unit. Consumers will happily welcome anything that gets the installer off the job — and life back to normal — more quickly.
How does the builder benefit by offering condensing tankless? Like the homeowner, builders appreciate it when
plumbers spend less time on the job, but condensing technology offers builders an even bigger plus. They are forever seeking new ways to differentiate their built product from that of their competitors. Condensing tech- nology represents the elite end of the tankless water-heat- ing segment, offering superior energy efficiency for a rel- atively modest up-charge. This technology can truly help separate them from their competition. Tankless, in general, can also add value to their homes.
With the current emphasis on smaller floor plans, builders look to tankless for better space utilization and not just because of its smaller footprint. Basements and other utility areas can be turned into active living spaces, because homeowners no longer need to worry that the water heaters will malfunction, spilling 40 or 50 gallons of water and ruining floors and furnishings.
What is the near-term outlook for condensing tankless technology? The ability to use PVC venting is a genuine game-
changer for the tankless water heating business. As the building industry emerges from the recession and housing begins to rebound, tankless water heater sales are bound to increase rapidly. Much of this growth will derive from condensing technology, as a critical mass of installers dis- cover for themselves how easy it is to install a condens- ing tankless water heater with PVC venting. n
Jason Corey, a five-year veteran of the tankless water
heating business, serves as Midwest branch manager for Noritz America, based at the company’s suburban Chicago location. He can be reached at 866/766-7489 or e-mail
jcorey@noritz.com.
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Plumbing Engineer MADE IN U.S.A. We do not export jobs. Rev 12/10 Circle 20 on Reader Reply Form on page 38 February 2011/Page 35
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