There’s a lot of information out there in cyberspace about tankless water heaters. Much of it gives conflicting information, and that may cause confusion. The truth of the matter is that they have pros and cons. Just like any improvement you make to your home, every person has their own opinion on the subject matter..
Because it’s an investment into the mechanical operation and convenience of your home, a water heater is an important purchase. Don’t go into the purchase confused by all the opinions.
You have started doing the right thing by researching the topic. Now, let us give you some straight talk. Let’s take a look into the practical pros and cons.
PROS:
- Less Time To Get Hot Water
- The number one reason that homeowners choose these units is that it takes less time to get hot water delivered to their sink, shower, or washing machine. While it’s not “instant,” it is super quick. For most homeowners, this convenience makes these units a game changer!
- Plentiful Hot Water
- If you have a larger family, you may run out of hot water and need to wait for water to heat between showers. With these units, the water for your showers will heat on demand. This means that it’s unlikely that you will run out of hot water with a properly sized tankless water heater.
- Longer Life Cycle
- It’s a major inconvenience when your hot water is out. These units last, on average, 15 to 20 years. On the other hand, tank-style water heaters last about 7 to 10 years. This gets you a much longer life cycle. In fact, it roughly doubles the time between hot water unit replacement.
- Energy Savings
- In addition, these units will effectively save energy in your home. Tank-style water heaters run almost constantly throughout the day, keeping water heated even when you’re away from home. On the other hand, they use no energy until you put it to work sending hot water your way.
- More Space In Your Home
- They take up far less space in your home than a tank-style water heater. Because of the hefty size of a tank, a traditional hot water heater needs a dedicated space. This often means a good sized corner of the basement. Worse yet…if you live in a home without a basement, it takes an entire closet. However, they only need a small about of space and can be concealed behind a cabinet door or under a sink.
CONS:
- Cost of Unit
- Tankless water heaters are undoubtedly an upgraded convenience. Like most upgrades, that comes with a larger price tag. The cost of these units is about 60% more than that of a traditional hot water tank. Some homeowners reason that because it life cycle is longer, it’s worth the higher price. Others aren’t comfortable with purchasing a water heater that commands this price point.
- Cost of Installation
- Like the cost of the unit, the cost of installation is also a premium price. To be fair, it’s much higher during the initial installation of a tankless water heater. Just as the initial installation of a hot water tank is more costly, so is the install of a tankless unit. Again, every homeowner needs to make the call that’s best for their family.
- Specialized Venting Is Needed
- Specialized venting is needed during installation. This is why I mentioned the initial installation being more costly. Water is heated via a high power burner that gives off a lot of heat. This must be vented out of your home.
- Not A DIY Project
- While some handy homeowners can switch out a hot water tank, most are not typically able to install these. It’s an upgrade that needs to be managed by a qualified, licensed professional. Choose an installer that is experienced with this install. It’s definitely NOT a DIY project.
In conclusion, every homeowner needs to look at the pros and the cons of each home improvement project that they tackle. Installing a tankless unit is no different. Do your research, find a qualified installer, and make the decision that’s best for your own family situation.
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