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Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons

Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons

Looking for ways to save on water-heating costs pays off. In most households, consumers pay more to heat water than any other energy-requiring appliance or action in the home, except for heating and cooling. If you're looking for ways to save energy and make your home greener, a tankless water heater is the way to go. See below for Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons

Tankless Water Heater Pros:

Go Green

Tankless water heaters are energy savers. Manufacturers' innovative technologies led to the creation of a water heater that doesn't have to keep a large standing body of water heated at all times. Instead, tankless models heat on demand, which is why you'll sometimes hear them referred to as "on-demand water heaters." As a result, these systems use less energy overall, bypassing standby losses that standard water heaters incur due to heat loss through the tank walls. Using a tankless system is an innovative way to go green and shave valuable energy dollars off your utility bills each month.

Save Energy

The amount of money you'll save by switching to a tankless water heater depends on factors like how much water your household uses, how old and inefficient your existing water heater is and so forth. However, Energy Star estimates that the average household can expect to save $90 every year just by opting for a tankless heater. Over the life of the system, that savings totals $1,700.

Save Space

Water heaters are generally tucked away, out of sight and out of mind. Due to the large tank, however, they require quite a bit of space. Imagine the space a system requires to keep 80 gallons of water heated and at-the-ready. In contrast, tankless heaters require very little space to install them.

In fact, you can install a point-of-use model underneath a bathroom sink - that's one example of just how small some of the models can be. Alternatively, it's also possible to install a tankless system in a closet or on a basement wall. Consumers have lots of options for installing these space-saving models.

Wait, There's More!

While the energy- and space-related benefits of a green water-heating system are significant, there are other kinds of perks, as well:

  • Tankless models provide an endless supply of hot water. They never run out of hot water, unlike a storage-tank model, which is limited to the quantity of heated water that fits into the tank.
  • They last longer, as their life span is typically five or even 10 years longer than conventional storage tank systems.
  • If you choose an electric-powered model, this type reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Tankless models come with no risk of flooding. Because they aren't designed to have a large holding tank, there's no chance of a rusted tank bursting, flooding your home and causing water damage.

Tankless Water Heater Cons:

Higher Initial Costs

  • The cost involved with purchasing and installing tankless water heaters is often more expensive compared to traditional tanks, but the good news for homeowners is they'll often recoup these initial costs through higher efficiency rates of the tankless.

When reading our list of tankless water heater pros and cons you can probably tell which one we favor. Remember that your water heater consumes about 25 percent of your household's total energy budget. Put a dent in that budget and save money by investing in a new tankless water heating system. If you have questions about tankless systems or reducing your water bill, contact the friendly professionals at Reliable Heating & Air!