Tankless water heaters are a great option for many homeowners. They have many advantages, including the fact that you have an endless supply of instant hot water and you’ll never run out of hot water. Tankless heaters can be a great way to save space and save energy, but they also come with their own set of pros and cons. There are also some disadvantages to consider before making the switch from a conventional water heater to a tankless hot water system.
If you’re considering a tankless water heater for installation in your Indianapolis area home, there are a few things to keep in mind. Mr. Plumber, your Indianapolis professional plumber, shares everything you need to know about tankless water heater pros and cons so you can decide if a tankless hot water heater is right for your household.
There are two tankless water heater varieties: the electric tankless water heater and propane or natural gas tankless water heater. The key difference between them is the fuel that they use to generate heat. Electric models rely on electricity from the home’s electrical wiring, which is used to heat up an electric element or electric coils that make water temperature rise. Heating elements produce hot water. Gas models, on the other hand, require natural gas or propane in order to operate. This fuel is carried to the unit via the home’s gas lines and is then combusted by a gas burner The heat exchanger then uses this heat to raise the temperature of the water.
Electric tankless water heaters and tankless gas water heater units can be excellent options for heated water in your Indianapolis home. Compared to conventional water heaters that have storage tanks, there are many advantages you need to know about associated with tankless water heaters, from energy efficiency to consistent hot water usage.
You’ll never run out of hot water with a tankless unit, whether you choose natural gas units or an electric model. This is the number one reason people switch to tankless water heaters. If your family takes a lot of showers and performs other tasks that use hot water around the same time of day or you have guests over often, this can be a major selling point for a tankless water heater. No more cold showers!
The biggest advantage of having a tankless water heater is that you don’t have to wait for the water to heat up before you can use it. With this type of water heater unit, cold water goes into one side of the system and hot water comes out on the other side. There are no storage tanks involved at all – the only thing that takes time to heat up is the cold water coming in from your plumbing line. This is called on-demand water heating, which is why tankless water heaters are also called demand-type water heaters.
There’s no need to wait for a traditional water heater to refill as the storage water heater heats water again – you can start using hot water immediately with a tankless water heater. No matter how much hot water has recently been used, you can turn on the tap and have an unlimited supply of hot water. You never have to wait to enjoy a hot shower again! When a storage tank heater is in use, the amount of hot water available at any given time is limited to what is stored in the tank.
Tankless water heaters are a more energy-efficient way to heat water in your home and can save you money on your monthly energy costs as a result. Tankless water heaters use less energy than traditional tank water heater models – on average, 8% to 34% less. As a result, tankless systems provide valuable energy savings.
This is because tank-style heaters need to constantly expend energy to keep a large supply of hot water on hand 24/7, whereas a tankless system only uses energy when it is actively heating water. Tankless heaters can save you money over time because they only use the amount of energy needed to heat the water that’s being used at that moment instead of heating up an entire tankful of water at once and holding it at that temperature, as traditional storage tank systems do.
So if you’re looking to lower your energy costs, switching to a tankless water heater is a great option. Not only will you save money in the long run, but you’ll also be doing your part to help the environment by using less energy overall.
A tankless water heater is a great option for your home as it doesn’t need to be replaced as often as traditional storage heaters. They can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years, whereas storage tank heaters typically only last 10 to 12 years.
They last longer because they don’t have any storage tanks allowing for consistent water exposure. Minerals from the water can corrode metal storage tanks over time and cause the water heater to fail. So, if you’re looking for a durable and long-lasting water heater, a tankless model is the way to go.
If you’re short on space, a tankless water heater is a great option. These units are much smaller than traditional storage tank water heaters and can be installed on a wall where you can easily reach them to perform maintenance. Their compact size allows for flexible installation options. These units don’t need to store hot water, so they’re often smaller than traditional storage tank heaters. Plus, since they can be installed on a wall, they won’t take up any valuable floor space.
There are many reasons to switch to a tankless water heater, but one of the most important is safety. Traditional water heaters can be prone to leaks, but tankless units are much less likely to cause any damage to your home. Tankless units don’t have the same exposure to minerals and corrosion which can cause parts to leak. Finally, because there is no tank, there is also no risk of the tank exploding. So if you’re looking for an upgrade that will give you peace of mind, a tankless water heater is the way to go!
While tankless water heaters have so many positive qualities, nothing is ever 100% great all-around. Gas and electric tankless water heaters do have some disadvantages when compared to conventional water heaters.
The upfront cost of equipment is often higher for tankless units. Tankless water heater costs are running anywhere from 25% to 50% more than standard tank units. Additionally, gas models tend to be more expensive than electric ones.
Installation costs can also be pricier with a tankless system, as extra work may be required (such as rerouting gas lines or upgrading electrical wiring). In some cases, you may also need to install a water softener which is helpful prevent mineral buildup inside the tankless unit. Because of the installation extras you may need, tankless water heaters cost more to buy and have placed into service in the home.
Unlike traditional storage water heaters, tankless units may not be able to meet your home’s hot water needs if you have multiple outlets running simultaneously. This is because the flow rate of a tankless unit may not be high enough to support multiple uses of hot water at the same time. As a result, you may end up with lukewarm water instead of the consistent temperatures you’re used to.
It’s important that you choose a tankless unit with a flow rate that will cover the peak hot water demand in your home. Work with a professional plumber to make sure that your new tankless unit will be able to adequately meet your family’s hot water needs.
If you’re using a tankless water heater, you might notice that the water temperature can be inconsistent when supplying hot water to multiple outlets at once. This is sometimes referred to as a cold water sandwich.
A cold water sandwich occurs when there is intermittent use of hot water, resulting in a brief period of cold water in between surges of hot water. Although it’s not a major problem, some homeowners prefer to avoid this side effect of tankless water heaters.
If you have a tankless water heater, you may be in for a cold shower if the power goes out. That’s because all tankless water heaters – gas and electric – require electricity to operate. So during a power outage, there’s no easy way to heat water.
Mr. Plumber helps Indianapolis homeowners explore the tankless water heater pros and cons important to any smart purchase decision. From installation costs to hot water tap water flow from a tankless heater, we tell you what you need to know. Contact us to get a quote for installation costs of a new tankless water heater.