There was once a time when water heaters were essentially all the same. They consisted of a large tank that filled with water that was heated with either gas or electricity. The only real choice for a homeowner was to decide how large of a tank they could get and if they needed gas or electric. For most of modern history, this was really it when it came to water heating options until the introduction of the tankless water heater.
Now homeowners have a few more decisions to make when it’s time to replace an old water heater, but exactly what is a tankless water heater and is it right for you? Today we’re going to look more into what it is, how it works and some of the advantages and disadvantages.
Tankless water heaters basics
Tankless water heaters,sometimes called on-demand water heaters, use high-powered burners to quickly heat water as it runs through a heat exchanger. The hot water is then delivered directly to your faucets, giving you hot water without the use of a traditional storage tank.
Tankless water heaters can be gas or electric, and different models provide various amounts of hot water flow.
Tankless water heater pros and cons
There is no perfect product, so it’s important to understand the advantages and downsides to switching to a tankless water heater before you make a commitment.
Here are some key points you should consider:
- According to Consumer Reports, a tankless water heater can be about 22 percent more energy efficient than a traditional gas water heater. The downside is that the water flow from a tankless is a bit less, coming in at around 3.5 gallons of water a minute.
- Tankless water heaters generally cost more up front, and if you’re switching from a traditional water heater to a tankless version there might be additional installation costs as well. Over time, they are less expensive to operate and do tend to have a longer life expectancy.
- Some tankless water heaters can struggle to keep up if multiple hot water sources are being used at the same time. So if you use a washer and jump in the shower, you may find yourself without enough hot water. Sometimes this is solved by installing more water heaters in high-use homes. This works, but increases the start-up cost substantially.
- Tankless water heaters take up less space, making them a friendly choice for small spaces. In some situations, they may be be installed outside
Last but not least, tankless water heaters have a substantially longer life than their traditional counterparts. This makes the higher upfront cost less significant when you consider the overall life of the unit. If you plan on living in your home for a good while, it might pay to consider making the switch. Talk with your appliance professional to see if a tankless water heater is right for your home.
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