If it is time to get a new water heater, you could benefit from getting a tankless water heater. Your decision might depend on your hot water demand and whether or not you can make the investment now for large savings over time. If you have a lot of people running to get the first shower or are in need of extra space, having water that is available “on-demand” with a limited size capacity can prove advantageous.
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of why you should get a tankless water heater.
Reduce your water heating costs – While most household electronics and electrical appliances have had much improvement over the years with new technology and modernization to be more energy-efficient, the traditional water heater has stayed much the same. The biggest problem is the inefficiency of keeping water hot. The concept of a tankless water heater is “on-demand” so that water is heated quickly and efficiently when you need it.
Never run out of hot water – You might have experienced a time or two when you tried to be the first to the shower so the water would be hot. Traditional water heaters can run out of hot water after several back-to-back showers, making it rough for the late arrivals. With a tankless water heater, your hot water is heated when you need it so you never have to worry about running out of hot water.
Get more space – A traditional water heater is bulky while tankless water heaters can range from 10 inches high by 7 inches wide to 30 inches high by 20 inches wide. With an electric unit being about the size of a briefcase, it can be installed on a wall, beneath a cabinet, or in a closet. That’s valuable storage space you can save.
Less maintenance and more life expectancy – With a tankless system you don’t have the draining and cleaning of mineral deposits or overheating issues as you do with traditional water heaters. Plus there is no possibility of flooding due to a ruptured tank. And you can expect to have your unit for closer to 20 years as opposed to the 8 to 10 years that a traditional water heater might last.
Less impact on the environment – You can go green with a tankless water heater. Because of the bulkiness of a traditional water heater, there is more landfill waste, more often. Additionally, when there is no tank used there is nowhere for impurities to build up, which means cleaner water.
A tankless water heater is a good investment for your home. Even so, you will want to weigh the drawbacks before you make a decision. Drawbacks include a higher upfront cost and possibly needing to modify your gas line. Additionally, the location of the unit and temperature of the water could affect whether it is better to install an electric or natural gas unit. An electric unit uses electrical currents to heat the water. A natural gas unit uses high-pressure burners to heat the water.
Since there are different types of tankless water heaters available you will need a professional to help you determine the best one for your home. If the unit is too small, it won’t heat the water fast enough and you might not be able to use more than one appliance at a time. Too big, and you’ll pay for more than you need. If you’re interested in learning more about the benefits of going tankless or to help select the best unit for your home, contact High Priority Plumbing at 770.860.8110.