Are you thinking about replacing your current water heater with a tankless water heater? That might be a good choice, depending on your priorities and household. A tankless water heater has certain advantages over a traditional water heater, which make it a better option for certain households. But, it does has some limitations you should be aware of before investing in a tankless water heater. We will discuss the pros and cons of tankless water heaters to help you determine whether this type of water heater is the right choice for you.
Pros of Tankless Water Heaters
Get Hot Water Constantly
Tankless water heaters heat water on demand. As soon as you turn on the tap, an electric heating element or a gas burner inside the water heater instantly heats the water. You might run out of hot water during a long shower if you were using a traditional water heater, but this will likely never happen with a tankless water heater. Moreover, since there is no tank that stores the hot water, you won’t have to wait before you can get hot water.
More Compact than Traditional Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters take a lot less space than their traditional counterparts so you don’t necessarily have to free up a lot of garage space to install them. Some models that are used for supplemental purposes are so small that they can easily fit under a sink. This will come in handy if you are planning to use a tankless water heater for a remote bathroom that cannot get hot water in time due to its distance from the traditional water heater.
More Energy Efficient
Tankless water heaters are more expensive than their traditional counterparts. However, considering the efficiency of these units, costs are recouped in a period of five to ten years. The rate at which you’ll save money depends on how much water you consume and whether you are using an electric tankless water heater or gas tankless water heater. Either way, you will be able to reduce your utility bills, which will help you get a definite return on investment (ROI).
Lasts Longer than Traditional Water Heaters
A traditional tank water heater lasts for about ten years. A tankless water heater, on the other hand, has a longer lifespan and will stay good for nearly 20 years. So despite the higher upfront costs, a tankless water heater will cost you less in the long run. You won’t have to worry about replacing your water heater any time soon as it will be suitable for many years to come.
Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Limited Flow Rate
While tankless water heaters can provide hot water consistently, they have a limited flow rate. Depending on the size of the heater, it will deliver about two to five gallons of hot water every minute. Traditional water heaters are capable of providing as much hot water as required until the whole tank runs out. So while having an uninterrupted supply of hot water is a plus, it will usually only hold when only one fixture is being used. For example, if you only have a single tankless water heater, it will probably not be enough to provide hot water for running the dishwater and taking a bath at the same time. This is why some households prefer using multiple tankless water heaters instead of just one.
Higher Initial Investment
Tankless water heaters generally do cost a lot more upfront. The cost of the unit and installation combine can be way higher than a traditional water heater. It is also important to keep in mind that tankless water heaters run off gas or electricity which means that if you don’t have a power source nearby, you might have to re-route to power the water heater. This can increase the overall cost of installation.
Maintenance
A tankless water heater lasts longer than their traditional counterparts, but their longer lifespan is heavily depended on how well you maintain them. These heaters must be flushed and cleaned every month. In addition to flushing them out, you should also often clean filters and drain the system completely. If you can take care of the maintenance of a tankless water heater, then it might be a good option for you. A tankless water heater can provide hot water consistently, is more compact and more energy-efficient than traditional water heaters, and also lasts longer than them. However, it has a limited flow rate, costs a lot more upfront, and requires more maintenance work than traditional water heaters to ensure a long lifespan. If you think that you can benefit from a tankless water heater, have it installed at your home. You might need multiple units if you have a large family. If you need a professional’s assistance in the installation of your new tankless water heater unit, call Rowin Plumbing on (661) 252-5757. We will send an experienced plumber to complete the installation of your tankless water heater.