Tankless Water Heater Benefits: Is It Time to Upgrade?
If you’ve been shopping for a new water heater recently, you’ve probably noticed that tankless water heaters are becoming increasingly popular. There are good reasons for the growing interest. Instead of storing and continually reheating 40 or 50 gallons of water, a tankless water heater heats water on demand as it passes through the system. That means you’re not using energy to keep a tank of water hot when nobody is using it, and a properly sized system can profide a continous supply of hot water when you need it.
For homeowners who are tired of running out of hot water or want to reduce the energy used to heat water in their home, tankless technology can be an appealing option.
Switching to tankless, however, isn’t as simple as replacing one water heater with another.
The right choice depends on several factors, including your home’s hot-water demand, available gas or electrical capacity, water quality, installation requirements, budget, and how long you plan to stay in your home.
So, how do you know whether it’s time to make the switch?
How Is a Tankless Water Heater Different?
A traditional water heater keeps a supply of hot water stroed in a tank. The system periodically turns on to maintain the temperature, even when you’re not actively using hot water. A tankless water heater takes a different approach.
When you turn on a hot-water faucet, the system detects the flow and begins heating the water as it passes through the unit. When the demand stops, the system stops heating.
This is why tankless water heaters are also called on-demand water heaters.
The difference may sound simple, but i t can have a meaningful impact on how your household uses hot water.
Because they don’t have to continuously maintain a tank full of hot water, tankless systems can eliminate a lot of the energy loss associated with traditional water heaters.
Why Are Tankless Water Heaters So Popular?
Less Energy Used To Keep Water Hot
One of the biggest reasons homeowners are interested in tankless technology is energy efficiency.
A traditional storage water heater continually uses energy to maintain the temperature of the water inside the tank. This is known as standby heat loss.
Because tankless systems don’t store a large volume of heated water, they don’t have the same type of standby loss. They heat water when you need it rather than continuously maintaining a tank full of hot water.
The U.S. Department of Energy recognizes terduced standby losses as one of the primary efficiency advantages of tankless water heaters.
That doesn’t mean every homeowner will see the same reduction in their utility bills. Actual energy use depends on the equipment, fuel source, householdd size, water usage, and other factors.
But if reducing energy wasted on water heating is important to you, tankless technology is worth considering.
You’re Less Likely To Run Out of Hot Water
With a traditional tank, your household has a limited supply of heated water available at any given time.
If several people take showers one after another, the washing machine is running, and someone starts the dishwasher, you can eventually use hot water faster than the tank can replenish it.
A properly sized tankless water heater heats water as you used it, rather than relying on a finite tank of preheated water.
That means you can have a continuous supply of hot water, provided the system you install has enough capacity for the demand of your household. It’s important to understand the distinction; tankless doesn’t mean an unlimited among of water can flow at any temperature. Every system has a maximum flow rate and heating capacity. Our plumbing technicians will help you determine the proper sized system for your household’s hot water needs.
How to Know If A Tankless Water Heater Is Right for Your Home.
This is where the decision gets more complicated. A tankless water heater can be an excellent solution for one home and a less practical choice for another. Before making the switch, talk with a plumber who can look at all the factors to help determine the best fit.
How Much Hot Water Does Your Household Use?
Start with your household’s actual hot water habits. How many people live in the home? How many showers might be running at once? Do you regularly use the dishwasher and washing machine at the same time? Have you added another bathroom or otherwise increased your hot water demand?
Tankless systems need to be sized according to the amount of hot water your household may need simultaneously. If the unit is undersized, you may not get the experience you’re expecting.
What Is the Condition and Age of Your current Water Heater?
If your existing water heater is relatively new and working reliably, there’s usually no reason to replace it simply because tankless technology is available. But if your water heater is aging, leaking, making unusual noises, or no longer keeping up with your household, you’re already approaching a replacement decision. That’s an ideal time to compare your options.
Instead of automatically replacing an old tank with another tank, you can ask whether tankless makes sense for the next stage of your home’s life.
Does Your home Have the Necessary Gas Capacity?
Tankless water heaters can have different installation requirements than traditional systems. Depending on the equipment, the home may need adequate gas supply, electrical capacity, venting, plumbing modifications, or other changes.
That’s why the cost of the equipment itself doesn’t tell the whole story. A professional should evaluate the existing system and determine what will be required to install the new water heater correctly.
What is Your Water Quality Like?
Water quality is another factor that shouldn’t be overlooked. Minerals can accumulate inside a tankless water heater’s heat exchanger over time. Homes with hard water may require more frequent flushing or descaling to keep the system operating properly. A plumbing technician may even recommend installing a water softener to prolong the life of your equipment.
Tankless technology can be a great investment, but it still needs maintenance. Before purchasing a system, ask what maintenance is required and how often it should be performed.
What Is Your Budget and How Long Do You Plan To Stay In Your Current Home?
Tankless water heaters can cost more to install initially than a traditional storage water heater. That doesn’t necessarily make them a poor investment. You’re comparing different technologies with different operating characteristics and maintenance requirements.
If you’re planning to remain in your home for many years, the long-term benefits may be more important to you than the initial installation price. If you’re planning to move soon, the calculation may be different. There isn’t one right answer that applies to every homeowner.
When Does It Make Sense to Switch to A Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless may be worth serious consideration if:
- Your already replacing an aging water heater
- Your household frequently runs out of hot water
- You have high or simultaneous hot-water demand
- You want to reduce standby energy loss
- You’re interested in reclaiming floor space in your utility room
- Your home has the infrastructure needed for the system you want
- You’re comfortable with the maintenance a tankless water heater requires
- You plan to stay in your home long enough to benefit from the investment
On the other hand, if your existing tank is relatively new and in good working order, there may be little reason to replace it prematurely.
When Does Switching To Tankless Make Sense?
Tankless water heaters are particularly worth considering if several of these situations sound familiar:
- You frequently run out of hot water
- Your household has high or simultaneous hot water demand
- You’re already replacing an aging water heater
- You want to reclaim floor space
- You plan to remain in your home for many years
- You like the idea of heating water only when it’s needed
- You’re willing to keep up with regular tankless maintenance
However, there are also situations where a traditional tank water heater may make more sense.
That’s why proper sizing and an evaluation of your existing plumbing system are so important.
What Should a Plumber Check Before Installing A Tankless Water Heater?
Installing a tankless water heater isn’t simply a matter of taking out a tank and hanging a smaller unit on the wall. The system needs to be matched to your home’s actual hot water demand. A professional evaluation should consider: