If you are thinking about replacing your water heater you might ask, is a tankless water heater the right choice for you? Depending on your household and priorities, a tankless water heater has specific advantages over traditional water heaters which may make it the perfect choice.
Never run out of hot water again
A tankless hot water heater works by heating water on demand. When a hot water tap is turned on, water is instantly heated by a gas burner or an electric heating element. If you have family members that like to take really long showers, (or if you like to take long showers) worrying about running out of hot water would be a thing of the past.
Since a tankless system is just that, you no longer have to wait for the tank to fill up with hot water before using it. Also, if you have a giant bathtub that never seems to fill up entirely with hot water, a tankless water heater is definitely something to look into.
More compact than traditional counterparts
The potential need for more than one water heater makes the relatively small size of tankless water heaters a serious advantage. They take up significantly less space than water heaters with tanks, meaning that you do not have to sacrifice precious garage space. Some used for supplemental purposes (sometimes called booster units) are even small enough to fit under a sink!
This can come in handy if you are considering a tankless water heater as a booster for a remote bathroom that may take a long time to have hot water delivered because of its distance from the traditional water heater.
More energy efficient
As we mentioned, purchasing a tankless water heater is an investment for most families. The rate at which you will save money depends on your hot water consumption and whether you have a gas or electric water heater. Either way, there is a definite ROI in the form of decreased utility bills and the desirability of the feature should your home go on the market.
Years of Lifespan
You can count on a traditional storage tank water heater lasting you about 10 years. On the other hand, a tankless water heater should keep you bathing comfortably for a whopping 20 years.
So despite the higher initial costs, in the long run, a tankless water heater may end up costing you less money, especially if you calculate the value of the time you have to invest each time you replace a water heater.
Maintenance
Tankless water heaters must be maintained regularly to prolong their life. They must be flushed and cleaned, doing so every month is ideal. Along with flushing them out, the filters must be changed often and the system drained completely as well. If you do not mind taking the time to do these extra maintenance steps, then a tankless heater is a good option.
Still wondering if a tankless water heater is right for you? Contact us today. One of our professional plumbers will talk you through any questions you might have and make a recommendation. Life’s too short to take cold showers!
