Tankless Water Heaters
.jpg)
While tankless heater heaters have been widely available in the U.S. and Canada since the 1990s, many homeowners may be learning about them for the first time. If you've never owned one, you may be wondering if they're right for you and how they differ from their tanked cousins. While tank and tankless water heaters both get the job done, knowing how they differ might be helpful when deciding if a tankless water heater is right for your home.
How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?
Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, provide hot water only when you need it. When you turn on a hot water faucet, cold water travels through a pipe into the tankless unit. A powerful heating element within it, either a gas burner or an electric coil, then rapidly heats the water as it passes through.
This process continues to provide a constant supply of hot water until the faucet is turned off. This approach offers several key benefits for homeowners:
- Energy Efficiency: By not having to maintain a large tank of hot water, tankless heaters can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower your utility bills.
- Endless Hot Water: Since the water is heated on demand, you'll never run out of hot water, even with multiple showers running at once.
- Space-Saving Design: These compact units are mounted on a wall, freeing up valuable floor space that a bulky tank heater would occupy.
- Longer Lifespan: Tankless water heaters typically last much longer than their conventional counterparts, often with lifespans of 20 years or more.
Answering Homeowners Top Questions About Tankless Water Heaters
What is the cost of a new tankless water heater?
While the initial installation cost may be higher for a tankless water heater, the long-term savings and benefits make it a smart investment for many modern homes. Tankless water heaters are generally two to three times more expensive than traditional tank water heaters, not including installation costs. However, the final price can vary significantly based on several factors, including the type of unit (gas or electric), the complexity of the installation, and whether any electrical or gas line modifications are needed.
How long should my tankless water heater last?
On the positive side, with proper maintenance, you can expect tankless water heaters to have about twice the life expectancy over a tanked water heater, and often, they come with less needed maintenance overall. When you consider the overall costs over the life of the unit, the comparison between tank and tankless water heaters becomes much more equal.
How much energy savings can I expect by using a tankless water heater?
According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, tankless water heaters can save you between 8% and 34% on your energy bill compared to traditional tank water heaters, depending on your hot water usage. Smaller households using less hot water can see the higher end of that range, while larger households with higher hot water demands can expect lower, but still significant, energy savings over traditional tank water heaters.
The Advantages Of A Tankless Water Heater
Energy Savings
A tankless water heater only heats water when you need it, rather than constantly using energy to keep a large tank of water hot. This on-demand operation significantly reduces standby heat loss, which can lower your monthly gas or electric bills. Over its lifespan, this efficiency results in substantial energy and cost savings.
Endless Hot Water
Since tankless units heat water as it passes through them, they provide a continuous supply of hot water. You don't have to worry about running out mid-shower or while doing laundry, a common issue with traditional tank heaters that have a limited hot water capacity. This makes them ideal for families or homes with high hot water demands, however, high capacity users need to also consider the unit's flow rate.
Longer Lifespan
Tankless water heaters typically last much longer than their tank-style counterparts. While a traditional tank heater might last 10-15 years, a well-maintained tankless unit can function effectively for 20 years or more. This longer service life helps offset their higher initial purchase price.
Significant Space Savings
These units are compact and wall-mountable, freeing up valuable floor space that would otherwise be occupied by a bulky storage tank. This small footprint allows for more flexible installation options, such as in a closet, pantry, or crawl space. You can reclaim an entire utility closet for other storage needs.
The Disadvantages of A Tankless Water Heater
The "Cold Water Sandwich" Phenomenon
A peculiar and often frustrating quirk of tankless systems is the "cold water sandwich." This occurs when you briefly turn off a hot water tap and then turn it back on. You'll initially get a burst of hot water (the water that was already in the pipes), followed by a slug of cold water as the heater kicks on to heat a new supply, and then finally the hot water you desire. This can be an unwelcome surprise during a shower.
Limited Flow Rate and Simultaneous Use
While a tankless heater can provide an endless supply of hot water, it can only heat a certain amount at any given moment. This is known as the flow rate. If you have a large family or tend to use multiple hot water appliances simultaneously—such as running the dishwasher while someone is showering—a standard tankless unit may struggle to keep up. This can result in lukewarm water or a reduced flow to one or all of the fixtures. To overcome this, you might need to install a more powerful, and thus more expensive, unit or even multiple units.
The Inconvenience of Power Outages
Most tankless water heaters, including gas-powered models, require electricity to ignite the burner and power the control panel. This means that during a power outage, you will be left without hot water. In contrast, a traditional gas-powered tank heater can often continue to provide the hot water stored in its tank.
Let Prostar Services Help You Decide If A Tankless Water Heater Is Right For You
One of our technicians would be happy to meet and discuss which water heater option is right for you as well as point out any potential issues that could impact your installation costs. Call us today at (252) 842-0746 to schedule an appointment.