Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It?
To determine whether a tankless water heater is right for the home, homeowners have to consider several factors. Possibly the most important of these are cost, longevity, household size, and how much hot water is used.
This article will discuss all of these factors and more to help them make an informed decision on their next water heater.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
Tankless water heater units are about the size of a suitcase and they’re typically installed on the wall. Unlike traditional water heaters, there’s no storage tank to heat the water inside. Instead, tankless units heat cold water quickly as it passes through, on its way to a faucet or appliance. This is accomplished with either a gas burner or an electric element.
Gas tankless heaters tend to have a higher output volume, which is usually a max of 5 gallons per minute. Electric heaters aren’t quite as quick, with an output volume in the 2 to 3 gallons-per-minute range.
Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Pros
- Energy-Savings - Since tankless water heaters only heat water when they need it, they are generally more energy-efficient than conventional models. For smaller households, they can be 25% to 34% more efficient. For larger households, they can be 9% to 14% more efficient.
- Longer Lasting - While conventional models last 10 to 15 years, tankless models last around 20 years. They also tend to come with longer warranties.
- Less Mess - If one’s ever had a water heater leak, they know how much damage those can do. Tankless water heaters don’t have storage tanks, so they don’t leave a big mess if they break.
- More Room - Since tankless units are smaller than traditional water heaters, they take up less space, leaving them with more room for storage.
Cons
- Upfront Cost - Installing a tankless heater can be up to 3 times more expensive than a traditional model. The cost increases if they need rewiring or any other major electrical or plumbing work done to facilitate the tankless unit.
- Limited Output - Since tankless units can only heat water so fast, it’s possible to use up more water than it can heat. While one won’t have to wait as long as they would with a conventional model, it can still be a nuisance. However, homeowners can fix this issue by installing multiple tankless units in the home.
Tankless Water Heaters: Are They Right for You?
For households that use less than 40 gallons of hot water per day, a tankless water heater is a great investment. While the upfront cost can be prohibitive, the money homeowners save on their energy bills will be worth it in the long run. Plus, they won’t have to worry about replacing it again in 10 years as they would with a conventional model.
However, if the household uses a lot of hot water, a tankless heater may not be right for them. Homeowners can always install more than one tankless unit, but the installation costs tend to be much higher— particularly if they have to re-wire parts of the home.
To find out exactly what it would cost to install a tankless water heater, homeowners should call a professional plumber for a quote.
About C & D Plumbing Inc.
For 10 years C & D Plumbing Inc. has been providing Fort Lauderdale, FL, with expert plumbing solutions. They offer a satisfaction guarantee, free quotes, stellar customer service, and friendly techs. They always put the customer first, no matter what.