According to the Department of Energy, the average water heater lasts about 10-15 years. When you think of a water heater, most people think of that large, heavy tank in the back of their storage closet. And, while most people never give the type of water heater they have a second thought, a tankless water heater may be able to generate a longer lifespan while taking up far less space. However, these aren’t the only advantages of a tankless water heater. There are many benefits to this type of appliance. Let’s take a look at the biggest pros and cons of switching to a tankless water heater.
Advantages of a Tankless Water Heater
Learning about the pros and cons of a tankless water heater can help you decide whether or not you’re ready to make the switch. Here are some advantages of going tank-free.
Tankless Water Heaters Last Longer
Water heaters aren’t cheap. They also aren’t easy to install. That’s a lot of time and money to only get 10-15 years out of a water heater. However, one pro of tankless water heaters is that they can last nearly twice as long. Once you have one installed, you won’t have to worry about replacing your tank for two decades or more.
The Water Will Get Warm Immediately
Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of a tankless water heater is that it will get your water warm instantly. You can say goodbye to waiting several minutes while the water runs, waiting for it to warm up. A tankless heater has a lot less water it needs to heat up, so this type of unit can provide hot water almost as soon as you turn the faucet on.
You’ll Save Money on Your Monthly Water Bill and Electricity
Tankless water heaters have less water to heat and are more efficient. In fact, tankless heaters are thought to be up to 22% more efficient than tanked water heaters, saving people anywhere from $70-100 on their water bill and electricity every year. While these savings may seem small, they can add up over the course of 10-20 years.
You Can Save a lot of Storage Space
If you live in a small home or a studio apartment, you know just how valuable every inch of storage space is. And, if a huge tanked water heater is taking up half of your storage closet, you won’t have as much room for your valuable personal items. Fortunately, tankless heaters can save you a lot of space. They are small, slender, and can be easily mounted on your closet wall.
Tankless Heaters Qualify for Tax Breaks
Since tankless water heaters are more efficient and better for the environment, they qualify for federal tax credits. You can earn up to a 10% tax credit on the costs associated with purchasing, installing, and maintaining your tankless heater. That’s some extra money in your pocket that you wouldn’t have otherwise!
Disadvantages of a Tankless Water Heater
While there are many pros to owning a tankless water heater, there are several cons, as well. Weighing the pros and cons can help you decide if making the switch to a tankless heater is right for you.
You Might Have Inconsistent Temperatures
One of the biggest complaints homeowners have about tankless water heaters is that they sometimes provide inconsistent water temperatures. This is because tankless units may struggle to push out enough hot water to multiple faucets at the same time. If you have several outlets that need hot water at once, this may not be right for you.
The Amount of Hot Water You Have May be Limited
Even though tankless heaters send out a steady supply of hot water, that supply is somewhat limited. Your standard heater can heat many gallons of water at the same time, but a tankless one cannot. If you have someone running the dishwasher and several people taking showers, the shower water may begin running cold as the heater tries to keep up.
Tankless Water Heaters Have an Expensive Initial Price Tag
No water heater is cheap, but one disadvantage of a tankless heater is the initial price tag. Even the cheapest tankless heater can cost nearly double that of your standard traditional heater. While there are higher initial costs, lower bills, longer lifespan, and tax breaks can help offset these costs.
You May Need Additional Equipment - Like a Water Softener
Depending on where you live and the quality of your water, you may need additional equipment such as a water softener. A water softener will make sure your tankless heater works correctly while providing better quality water. However, water softeners can take up quite a bit of space, so if you’re going tankless to save space, you may want to keep this in mind.
Get All of Your Plumbing Needs Covered With Sam Jolley’s Plumbing
If you like energy savings, space savings, and instant hot water, a tankless water heater may be right for you. Here at Sam Jolley’s Plumbing, our team of licensed plumbers can help you decide what type of water heater is right for your home. We can also perform any water heater maintenance or repairs on your existing fixture to keep it in top condition. Regardless of your plumbing needs, we’re here to help. Give us a call today to get started.
