Tankless Water Heater | Pros & Cons

A modern household should include appliances of top quality and technology. One of them is a tankless water heater, which is one of the tools used to create a more energy-efficient home. It might seem that a water heater without a tank is not very different from traditional heating units, but this is not true. When it comes down to gas hot water heaters, they introduce comfort and efficiency that you maybe wouldn’t even expect from a heater. To be able to understand the power and weaknesses of tankless water heaters, you need to acquire some knowledge about them. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of a modern tankless heater.

Temperature

A massive advantage of a tankless water heater is that it is an endless source of hot water. You won’t have to worry about running out of warm water in minutes or about waiting for a long time for the water to heat up. Choosing units without a tank will provide you with a constant stream of hot water once the cold water is flushed out of the pipes.

The disadvantage here is there is a risk of inconsistent water temperatures. So yes, you will get warm water, but how hot? It depends on the heater’s ability to send enough hot water to multiple outlets at the same time.

Lifespan vs installment cost

Another pro of the tankless water heater is its long life span. A high-quality heater without a tank can serve you as long as two decades, twice as long as traditional heating units. Please also note, that you will get your investment money back within five years from the installment, as tankless heaters are more energy-efficient.

An obvious con here is that the initial instalment cost is higher than for traditional units. However, it is not that much of a difference if you consider the savings that come with long-time usage of a tankless heater.

Space management

You should definitely take into account the amount of space a heater takes. These days, with the prices of houses and apartments steadily rising, space is becoming more and more precious and should be treated with respect. This is why a tankless water heater should be a natural choice for you. No more wasting space with a tank that only collects dust and is not aesthetically pleasing at all.

The only thing you have to remember is that a tankless water heater usually requires some additional equipment, like a water softener, for example. The necessary equipment will sadly increase the initial price of installation. 

Maintenance

You should be excited to know that tankless water heaters offer a longer warranty than traditional units. It is caused mostly by a longer lifespan. But the good news is that there is a possibility of not paying for repairs at all, as the warranties can run up to twenty years. Going tankless is a safe choice and a method to avoid high replacement or repair bills.

However, you should also know that additional maintenance of tankless water heaters is possible. To keep the warranty valid, it would be best if you perform annual maintenance and run a water softener. It is also recommended to flush out the heater system annually to prevent mineral build-up.

Ecological aspect

You already know how important it is to take good care of the planet. Humans are pretty destructive to the world, and it is our responsibility to create less waste. Fortunately, there are more eco-friendly options when it comes to house appliances, and a tankless water heater is one of them. It can be power with both electricity and gas, and the second option helps you cut on your carbon footprint significantly. The heater without a tank also eliminates the so-called standby loss. Traditional units heat water even when you are not at home, they reheat water repeatedly, raising energy costs along the way. Choosing a heater without a tank will not only make you a more environment-friendly person but will also save you a ton of money, a win-win situation.

Control your cost

We already talked about the initial cost of a tankless water heater, and it is pretty high, no denying. But there are also some ways in which you lower the charge on your side. Because tankless heaters are more efficient, they qualify for federal tax credits, which help to decrease installation costs. In the past, the US government offered a 10% tax credit on the value of buying and installing a tankless water heater. Do some research on the possibilities of financial help provided by your government.

Choosing the way you heat the water in your home can affect your wallet, sense of comfort and the planet significantly. Take a minute before you decide on a heater with or without a tank and weigh all the pros and cons. Making a smart choice requires a level of knowledge and acting rationally. Heat your water efficiently!