Should your Home go Tankless?

Whether you’re purchasing your first home or moving somewhere new, you’ll want to address your water heater. If you’re looking to replace an older model or to purchase your first one after a catastrophe, don’t think you have to immediately commit to a traditional water heater. Tankless water heaters, comparatively, can save you money on your bills while quickly delivering hot water to your facets.

If you’re having trouble making this big decision then keep on reading! This blog takes a look at the differences between traditional water heaters and their tankless counterparts.

About Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are more frequently referred to as on-demand water heaters. Where traditional water heaters store the water you’re meant to use, tankless water heaters send water straight to an active faucet after running it through a heat exchange. This way, you can have hot water at your fingertips – literally – in a matter of seconds.

Tankless v.s Traditional

Traditional water heaters are designed with an older style of home in mind. These water heaters tend to take up a fair amount of space in your basement or utility closet. Even so, they’ll consistently heat up the water in your home without too much delay. They can also help you multitask, providing hot water for the laundry and the dishes, for example, at the same time.

If you’re concerned about the energy efficiency of a traditional water heater, tankless heaters may seem like a welcomed economic relief. Not only do gas and electric-powered tankless heaters consume less energy while heating your water, but they can lower your water bill, too! You won’t have to wash gallons of water down the shower drain, for example, while waiting for your water to heat.

That said, traditional water heaters don’t have the same lifespan as tankless heaters. Similarly, you’re far more likely to run out of hot water when you’re using a traditional water heater. Even so, traditional water heaters are less expensive to install than their tankless counterparts. They’re also a little simpler to maintain, even if you have to replace them more often than you will a tankless heater.

The Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

On their own, tankless water heaters stand as a strong addition to most households. The many benefits of these water heaters include:

Their improved energy efficiency
Their longer lifespans
Their space-efficient build
Their quick response to your need for hot water
Their speed of water delivery, transporting up to three gallons of water within a minute

The Drawbacks of Tankless Water Heaters

That said, tankless water heaters are far from perfect. While you’ll be able to enjoy all of the aforementioned benefits, you may also find yourself contending with:

Higher purchasing and installation costs
Longer installation times
Difficulty using water in two places at once

Bottom Line: Is going Tankless Worth It?

The best way to decide whether a tankless water heater is right for you is to audit your situation. Here are some simple questions to ask yourself:

Do you have the upfront cash to invest in an appliance that won’t provide a return on your investment for several years?
Is your house new construction or are you planning on staying in it for a long time (10+ years)?
Do you often run out of hot water due to several showers back-to-back?
Could you benefit from extra space in your basement?

If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, a tankless water heater might be right for you. If you answered “no” to one or more of these questions, especially, question #1, you should probably hold off and stick with a tank-style heater. To get a sense of the installation cost give Super Terry a call! To get a free, no-obligation quote from our plumbing professionals give us a call or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.