Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

If it’s come time for a new water heater in your home, you may be wondering if it’s time to invest in a tankless water heater. Here, we discuss some of the top pros and cons of tankless water heaters to help you better understand how it compares to traditional water heater systems.

Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

There are many reasons why tankless water heaters are a good investment in your home. These systems offer:

• Instant hot water access – Tankless water heaters provide instant access to hot water as soon as you turn on a faucet, so you won’t have to run the water waiting for it to get hot the way you would with traditional water heater tanks.
• Great energy efficiency – A traditional tank water heater continuously keeps water heated in a tank, so it’s ready when you need it. This requires more energy to keep your water heated, even when you’re not using it or don’t need it. By contrast, a tankless water heater only draws energy when it’s called for, making it a more energy-efficient option.
• A space-effective design – Because they don’t require a large tank to hold and store your hot water, tankless water heaters take up a smaller footprint in your home.
• A smart long-term investment – Tankless water heaters can last for 20 years or more in your home, which is far longer than the average lifespan of a traditional system with a storage tank.

Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

While there are plenty of benefits to choosing a tankless water heater for your home, there are some important downsides to consider as well. These systems are also associated with:

• A high initial cost – While a tankless water heater typically has a longer lifespan than a traditional water heater, it also comes with a higher upfront cost. Tankless water heaters are more expensive products, and the installation is more complicated, resulting in higher initial costs to invest in one.
• Limited hot water supply – Tankless hot water heaters may have trouble keeping up with demand if you have multiple sources using hot water at the same time. For instance, if you have your dishwasher and washing machine both running, you may not be able to draw consistently hot water for a shower at the same time.
• Regular maintenance requirements – Tankless water heaters require regular maintenance to keep them running properly. This is especially true of areas with hard water, as the minerals can build up with the water heater and cause damage or limit the water heater’s functionality.

Choosing the Right Water Heater for Your Home

Not sure whether a traditional or a tankless water heater is the right option for your home? Turn to the professionals at Tri-State Water, Power & Air. We can help you sort through your options and weigh the pros and cons of tankless water heaters in more detail to determine which options will be best for you. Contact us today for more information on the pros and cons of tankless hot water heaters.