By heating water on demand rather than heating a volume of water and storing it for later use, a tankless system enjoys some key advantages over a conventional storage tank-type water heater.
Some of advantages of a tankless water heater include:
Unlimited hot water – With a right-sized tankless water heater, you will never run out of hot water – even if you have several hot water appliances running at once.
Higher efficiency – By working only when needed, not using a pilot light, and never having to reheat water that has been sitting in a storage tank in your cold basement, a tankless water heater could cut your monthly bills by as much as 40 percent compared to a conventional electric-powered unit.
Compact size – Most tankless water heating systems are about the size of a suitcase, which means you can put them just about anywhere – including closets and crawl spaces.
Better durability – Because there is no need to store corrosive water, a tankless water heater can last up to twice as long as a conventional water heater.
More value for your home – A tankless water heater will improve your Home Energy Rating System (HERS) and LEED scores, which means your home will be worth more if you plan to sell it.
Are tankless water heaters always better?
As you can see, the advantages of a tankless water heater are clear. So what are the disadvantages?
Mostly, it comes down to the purchase price, which can be twice as high as a conventional storage water heater. Of course in the long run, the energy savings and equipment longevity usually more than make up for the extra expense, but not everyone is willing or able to make that initial investment.
With that in mind, here are some rules of thumb for choosing between conventional and tankless water heaters:
For singles or couples – If you don’t use large amounts of water and are replacing a standard gas tank heater, a new tank has a lower up-front cost and could be a better choice.
For new construction, or for larger families and efficiency-conscious / space-challenged homeowners, tankless heaters are the best choice. Just make sure to get a professional to help you size and install your tankless heater for years of trouble-free service.
Considering an investment in a tankless water? Roach Energy can sweeten the deal with our AO Smith Tankless LP Water Heater Special – just $1,999.00 installed! Contact us today to learn more about water heater installations in Berkeley, Morgan, Jefferson, and Washington counties.
