Tankless water heaters are becoming one of the most popular upgrades for homeowners today. They are smaller, more efficient, and have a long lifespan. However, there are a few drawbacks, including the upfront cost and capacity limits.

So you may be wondering, are tankless water heaters worth it? Each homeowner has a different situation, so the most important thing is to be informed before you make the investment.

How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

Tankless water heaters use either electricity or gas to warm water as it travels through the system. The design is efficient because the heater is only heating the water that you need when you turn on a faucet, showerhead, or appliance.

Tankless Water Heater Pros and Cons

There’s no doubt tankless water heaters offer a lot of benefits to homeowners. But there are some cons that might mean these heaters are not the best option for your home. If you are wondering, “should I get a tankless water heater?” read on to learn more about the pros and cons.

Pro: Hot Water Fast

If you are familiar with traditional water heaters, you know that it can take a while to get hot water at the faucet. With a tankless water heater, you’ll get hot water almost instantly. An added benefit to the fast hot water is most homeowners end up saving a lot of water every year since they are not letting the water run while waiting for it to heat up.

Pro: Little Space Required

One of the main benefits of tankless water heaters is they require much less space in your home. In some cases, they are just a fraction of the size of traditional water heaters. The compact size means you have lots of options when it comes to placing the unit. You can easily set it up in a closet or your attic.

Pro: Extended Lifespan

Tankless water heaters have a much longer lifespan than traditional water heaters. The average tankless heater will last 20 years, while a traditional water heater lasts about 10.

Pro: Energy Efficiency

Tankless water heaters heat on demand rather than use energy 24/7 to make sure you have hot water when you need it. This approach means that tankless water heaters are as much as 25% more efficient than traditional heaters.

With the increased energy efficiency, you may be wondering, “does a tankless water heater save money?” The answer is yes; you are likely to see a decrease in your monthly energy bill.

Con: Trouble Keeping Up

Tankless water heaters can heat an unlimited stream of hot water to one source, but they may have trouble keeping up if you are using water in multiple locations at once. This underrun is an issue you won’t have with a traditional water heater, as it can store up to 80 gallons of hot water. 

Con: Ongoing Maintenance

When it comes to water heaters, you’ll have to schedule maintenance no matter what system you choose. However, tankless water heaters sometimes require more maintenance than a traditional system. The overall maintenance cost should be something that you build into your overall budget.

Con: Higher Upfront Cost

Tankless water heaters almost always cost more to install than traditional systems. Not only is the heater itself more expensive, but the labor to install it is more expensive as well. However, most homeowners offset this cost with the longer lifespan and energy efficiency they gain.

Con: Inconsistent Temperatures

With tankless water heaters, there are sometimes complaints about inconsistent temperatures. This variability is likely due to capacity issues that arise when sending hot water to multiple places in the home at once. 

Conclusion

Now that you know more about the advantages and disadvantages of tankless water heaters, you are in a better position to make the decision that’s right for you.

Each homeowner’s situation is unique, so a tankless water heater may be perfect for some families and not a great option for others. Before deciding to move forward, the most important thing you can do is consider all of the factors which will allow you to make an informed decision.

Choose Paul The Plumber for Your Tankless Water Heater

Now that you know the tankless water heater pros and cons, call Paul The Plumber if you are ready to move forward with your installation. We’ve been in the business since 2002 and have built our company by providing honest advice and quality workmanship.

Every call we get is answered live by our team, and we can quickly dispatch a technician to your home or schedule a convenient appointment time. If you are in the Derry or Southern New Hampshire area, call us today.