Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are the modern technology for water heater alternatives. West Coast Hydronics and Plumbing are at the forefront of embracing this technology fully and recommending it over other heating techniques because they have seen it work. It has its pros and cons, but the cons are all for the strengthening of the pros.
Pros of Tankless Water Heaters
You stand to enjoy many benefits from tankless water heaters.
- Durable Tankless water heaters commonly come with a warranty of up to 25 years. The various brand manufacturers are confident of the functioning of these water heaters hence such captivating warranty periods. You can’t compare the 12-year shelf life of a water tank heater against this tankless one. Anyone sound would discern their need for a tankless water heater. Can you compare the cost of replacing water tank heaters with this one-time tankless water heater? If I were you, I would get the tankless water heater and get done with it already.
- Cost-Effective Tankless water heaters allow you to gain control of your energy finally. They use energy only when you need hot water. The initial price you have to pay to acquire it may put you off. However, it is cost-saving in the long-run. Compare the cost of a tank and tankless water heater over some time. While the latter is expensive, you can’t compare the energy you stand to save compared to the tank water heater. The proportionality between the tankless water heater’s cost against the durability and energy saved makes it cost-effective.
- Energy Saving If you have a water tank heater, you may be better-placed to calculate the energy-saving capabilities. The energy it takes to provide hot water for this tankless water heater is dramatically lower. Can you imagine heating a whole tank of water only to enjoy a 5-minute shower? Imagine that you share a house with four other people with completely different schedules. Each person would have to boil a whole tank of water to enjoy a hot shower at different times of the day. Nobody showers with a whole tank of water. The bills would be insane!
- Instant Hot Water You don’t have to switch on your water heater before your scheduled shower time to enjoy hot water. The tankless water heater works instantaneously by heating water directly from the inlet pipe as it approaches your outlet. The moment you switch on the heater, you can get started on whatever you needed to do with it. All you need is constant water flow to the inlet and electricity to get your unlimited amounts of hot water. Instant means that all elements working to generate hot water are stimulated simultaneously.
- Remote Operation Some tankless water heater brands offer remote control for the systems. It allows you to regulate the water temperature from the comfort of your devices and have everything running smoothly. Parents would appreciate such a heater when they can’t always monitor their children’s activities like showering. The remote operation is the safe way to consider because it counters some of the demerits we will see in the next section. However, it is more likely that the remote-controlled tankless water heaters have higher price tags. Despite that, they are worth the investment.
- Small Size in Less Space You can’t compare the space occupied by tank and tankless water heaters. You need as much space for setting up the former and extra for the tank, depending on its capacity. Tankless water heaters often take up the form of small mounts to place against small wall sections. Because of the instantaneous nature, tankless water heaters only need a system that heats the water instantly. The main or divided water inlet point is connected to the heater. On the other hand, water tank heaters may require a whole section, whether outdoor or indoor. You stand to experience property damages if you go with indoor setups; the tank is heavy and prone to leaking pipes.
Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
- Costly Purchase Purchasing a tankless water heater may not be the easiest financial you have to make. You will need an estimated $200 for the smaller gas-powered units and up to $2000 for the larger ones. You could opt for the large one or buy the corresponding number of small ones for each of your showers. The electricity-powered units may range between $90 and $1000. Regardless of the type you choose, you are sure to part with significant money.
- Expensive Installation As if purchasing the tankless water heater not enough, the installation process demands that you dig deeper into your pockets. You can spend up to $2000 solely on installation due to its complexity. However, it is a one-off task, and you might as well do it and start saving on energy. Installation may sometimes require dismounting of previous water systems for replacement. Dismounting another heater is a whole other task that may invite an extra cost.
- High Maintenance Repairing a tankless water heater would cost you more than preventive maintenance. Individuals with hard water are more prone to require maintenance services. Scale from hard water build-up in pipes and causes blockage or shutdown of the tankless water heater. Invest in a softener if you suspect you are using hard water and prevent the bigger maintenance task.
- Inconsistent Temperature by Output Limitations Temperature stability is very dependent on the consistency of the water volume. If the water output exceeds a certain volume, the tankless water heater may experience difficulty heating it all. You can experience uneven distribution of heat in the water. Have you noticed that turning on the tap more reduces the water temperature? Output limitations contribute to the temperature regulatory features. You can invest in a more powerful tankless water heater to experience more volume and heat simultaneously.
- Power Out, Heater Out You have to come to terms with the idea of using cold water if the power goes out. Unlike this instant heater, the water tank heater could have heated water stored up in its reservoir. Don’t fret about buying the tankless water heater despite the few cons. They all work together for your worthwhile experience.
If you are ready to enjoy the benefits of tankless, contact the Sacramento tankless water heater experts at West Coast Hydronics and Plumbing for a free, no obligation estimate.
