Tankless water heaters have been around for some time now. As homeowners get more acquainted with them, it’s only natural for people to wonder about their pros and cons. After all, homeowners still choose tank water heaters more often than tankless systems, so what gives?
Tankless water heater installation is an alternative solution to the problem of needing hot water in your home. By heating the water directly as it comes through your main water line, you’re getting instant hot water that is near unlimited. This represents a pretty clear advantage, and more homeowners are opting in for this remarkably efficient and effective water heater.
But there are a few catches. If you keep reading, we’ll talk about why tankless water heaters are so perfect for some homeowners, and why they’re not a good choice for others. Just make sure you call us when investing in a new water heater.
Tankless Water Heaters: How They Work
Before we get into the pros and cons of a tankless water heating system, we need to discuss how exactly it works. A conventional water heater takes the water from your main water line and funnels it into a tank where it is heated and kept at a hot temperature for use. A tankless system, as the name implies, doesn’t use a tank at all. Instead, it uses a gas burner or electric coil to superheat the water as it enters your home. This gives you immediate access to hot water that doesn’t have to be kept warm all day.
With that being said, here are the additional pros and cons of a tankless water heater:
The Pros of a Tankless Water Heater
Let’s start off with the best reasons why a tankless system might be perfect for your home.
- No standby heat loss. A tankless water heater doesn’t have to spend energy or fuel keeping the water hot while you’re not using it. This leads to additional savings down the line and reduced energy consumption.
- High efficiency. Tankless water heaters are more efficient than tank water heaters since they heat the water directly as it comes in. This means you’ll have lower utility bills month to month.
- Fewer maintenance requirements. Since a tankless water heater has less contact with the actual water flowing through it, it doesn’t wear down as easily or deal with corrosion as much as a tank water heater would. You’re less likely to see repairs.
- Near unlimited access to hot water. Have you ever been frustrated when your hot shower suddenly turns cold? Well, as long as you have access to fuel and water, your tankless water heater can provide you with plenty of hot water.
The Cons of a Tankless Water Heater
We want to be as honest and upfront with you as possible. If a tankless water heater isn’t right for you, let’s talk about some reasons why you might need a tank water heater instead:
- Expensive initial cost. These systems are more expensive than tank water heaters to install.
- Sizing issues. If your house ever gets an addition, your tankless water heater might not be able to provide enough hot water to all of it easily.
- They need to be cleaned once a year. There is yearly maintenance to keep tankless heaters running their best
- Water output. Sometimes a tankless water heater will have trouble meeting large water demands since it doesn’t have a whole tank of hot water immediately available.