Buying a water heater is a major investment that you might only do about once every 10 to 12 years. Choosing the right model is important because you’re going to live with and pay for the decision for a while. Plus, tank water heaters can cost anywhere from $400 to $800, and tankless heaters can cost as much as $1,500, so they’re a bit of an investment regardless of the type that you choose. Getting a tankless water heater is one option that you might decide works well for your needs. There are many benefits to buying a tankless water heater over the traditional tank model, including saving money in the long run even though a tankless heater has a higher initial investment. You’ll experience other benefits, such as hot water whenever you want it, that you might decide makes the initial higher cost worth it.
Water Heats Instantly
One of the biggest benefits of a tankless water heater is that the water is ready as soon as you are. One of the major problems with a tank water heater is that you have to wait for the tank of water to heat up. This means that if you ran the dishwasher and did a load of laundry on hot water, it’s very likely that you won’t get a full shower of hot water. With the tankless water heater, the water heats up as you need it, so you never really run out.
Unlimited Amount of Hot Water
You’ll also appreciate that you can do as many tasks at the same time as you want. For instance, you can run the dishwasher, take a shower, and have someone else fill up the bathtub in a separate bathroom all at the same time. This saves a lot of time and frustration, especially in busy households. While a tankless water heater might struggle to keep up if you’re using lots of hot water in multiple rooms, with the temperature varying, investing in a second water heater is one way to work around this issue.
Tankless Water Heaters Last Longer
Many people don’t know this, but the lifespan of a tankless water heater is typically longer than that of a tank water heater. In fact, while a tank water heater typically only lasts a little over 10 to 12 years, a tankless water heater can last as long as 20 years, especially when it’s taken care of properly. This makes it a great investment if you plan on living in your house for a long time. You’ll also appreciate that tankless water heaters don’t have the same issues with rusting that a tank water heater has, which is one of the reasons that a tank water heater often wears out.
Space Saving
In the average hot water tank heater, there are about 40 to 60 gallons of available water that are heated when the tank is completely full. Additionally, to have this tank, you’re going to need approximately 60 inches in height and 24 inches in width. Tankless water heaters are significantly smaller, so you don’t need nearly as much room for them. In fact, most are about 20 in wide, 10 in deep, and less than 30 in tall. Since tankless water heaters are much smaller, you have more flexibility in where you have them installed. In fact, with all of that extra space, you can use the utility closet for other things.
Energy Efficient
If you hate wasting energy, you’ll love a tankless water heater because they’re very energy efficient. First of all, a tankless water heater only heats the amount of water that you need, and it doesn’t have to keep it to a specific temperature for hours on end until you’re ready to use it, which costs a lot of energy without providing any benefit to you. But you could reduce your energy use by over 30% with a tankless model. Lots of people appreciate the ability to reduce their carbon footprint, but people also appreciate the cost-savings that come with using less energy.
Saves Money on Utility Bills
Less energy usage also means that your utility bills are going to be lower when using the same energy source. But you might also find that the electrical source that you use to heat the water with your tankless heater is less expensive than the gas that you need for your tank water heater. In fact, many households could save hundreds of dollars every year on energy costs by switching to a tankless water heater. Over the course of a few years, you can easily make up the extra money that you spent on a more expensive water heater. You’ll also be happy to learn that many utility companies will give discounts to new homes using alternate energy sources, which can save you even more money.
Less Maintenance
You might be surprised to learn that tankless water heaters actually require less maintenance. Most tank water heaters need maintenance every year, and depending on the region, they might need to be serviced every 6 months. For instance, one type of maintenance that water heaters need is to be flushed to avoid sediment buildup. Tankless water heaters typically can go four or five years without maintenance. This can vary depending on the region, with areas that have more hard water needing more maintenance. But you can do some of this maintenance yourself with a vinegar solution to break up any sediment. Additionally, you’ll need to ensure that the filter is clean and that there isn’t any sediment built up with your water heater.
Easy Installation
One of the best parts about getting a tankless water heater installed with a new home is that you don’t have to run gas lines for the water heater. A traditional water heater with a tank is heated with a burner, which relies on gas. A tankless water heater relies on electricity, so it’s very simple to install next to an electrical outlet. This makes installation so simple that it can be done very quickly. It also makes installing your water heater where it’s convenient for you much more doable. In fact, you can install your water heater in a utility closet, garage, or another area of the basement.
Tankless Water Heaters Are Quiet
It’s fairly common for tank water heaters to make noise when they’re running, especially when they get older. But one of the nice things about tankless water heaters is that they’re quiet.
They Offer Temperature-Limiting Devices
If you worry about too much hot water suddenly coming out of the shower head, you’ll appreciate that a tankless water heater often has temperature-limiting devices.
More Consistent Water Temperatures
Tank water heaters often lose their efficiency over time, and you might notice that as your tank water heater gets older, you might have more difficulties getting a consistently hot shower. This is because tank water heaters slowly lose their ability to store the hot water, which you’ll notice in your water temperatures.
Having the right type of water heater for your needs is one way to make your home more comfortable while lowering your bills. If you’re trying to find a simple way to get great service on your water heater, trust Bobby L Greene Plumbing, Heating & Cooling Co.. Along with water heaters, we offer services for plumbing, drains, and sewers. Our emergency service is available 24/7 for your convenience. Contact us today to learn more!
