Tankless water heaters are becoming a popular choice for American families. This relatively new technology is used in households as well as on individual appliances like washing machines. Tankless water heaters have increased energy efficiency, last longer, and require less space to store.
Although it may seem like there is no reason you shouldn’t go tankless, there are a few things you should consider before making the switch that may influence your final decision. Whatever you decide to use, know that being well informed is the best way to go about choosing a water heater for your home.
The pros of using a tankless water heater include energy savings and reduced operating costs. Tankless water heaters operate only when you need them, unlike traditional water heaters that require you to run energy to keep them hot at all times. This is called “stand-by” heat and adds up to quite a bit of money in energy bills over time. This is what reduces operating costs for a tankless water heater compared to a tank water heater that has to heat water that idly sits in a tank while you are not using it.
After a while your tank is going to lose heat due to the law of entropy, it won’t stay hot forever. So instead of constantly using energy to heat and reheat your tank for instant hot water, use a tankless water heater instead.
Another great thing about owning a water heater is how long it lasts when compared to a traditional water heater.
A tank water heater wears out faster due to the fact that it just has water sitting inside of it at all times. Water is corrosive to metals and will start to eat away at the piping and tank over time. Tankless water heaters, however, don’t store water inside of them, keeping them dry and lasting for a longer amount of time. Tank water heaters are expected to last eight to ten years, but tankless water heaters can last around 20 years without replacement.
If you plan to stay in the house you’re living in, it’s definitely a good investment to pay more now for a water tankless heater because it will last you a really long time.
However, tankless water heaters cost much more initially, as previously mentioned. A tank water heater costs a few hundred dollars while a tankless water heater can cost up to a thousand. While a tankless will pay for itself over time in minimal repairs and energy savings, you have to save up the money for a $1,000 investment. Tankless water heaters also have a limited output. This means you can’t usually run the dishwasher, or your clothes washer and take a shower at the same time.