Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters heat water as it passes through your plumbing. Instead of having a barrel of hot water in reserve, the system only heats the water you actually use throughout the day. We have installed a wide variety of tankless water heaters over the years, and we highly recommend them to all of our customers. Nevertheless, there are advantages and disadvantages to consider before making this type of investment. Let’s explore the pros and cons of tankless water heaters so you can determine if you want to get one in the future.

Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

For the most part, tankless water heaters are more energy efficient than traditional water heaters. They only heat the water you use, rather than heating water and storing it in a tank. In many ways, this is the equivalent of taking a shower instead of taking a bath. With a shower, you only run enough water to clean your body, but with a bath, you fill a tub with more water than you may actually need. Another energy efficient element of tankless water heaters is the fact that the water only needs to be heated once. With a traditional water heater, the water must be constantly reheated as it cools down in the tank.

Tankless water heaters are much smaller than other water heaters. They are roughly the size of a briefcase, which means that they can be installed just about anywhere. Not only does this expand your plumbing options, but it also frees up storage space in your home. You don’t have to dedicate an entire closet just to the water heater.

Many homebuyers consider tankless water heaters to be a premium feature on a home. This means that you may be able to sell your house faster or for more money in the future. This will easily pay for the cost of a tankless water heater, in addition to the energy savings you get along the way. In general, tankless water heaters last a lot longer than other water heaters – 20 years or more with proper maintenance.

Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

The biggest drawback to tankless water heaters is the upfront cost. Typically, this is higher than the initial cost of a conventional water heater. As we mentioned above, you will get a better return on investment with a tankless water heater, and you will ultimately save money by installing one. Nevertheless, if you are working on a strict budget, you may need to consider other alternatives.

The best way to determine if a tankless water heater is right for your home is to get a complete quote for parts and installation. Contact Abbott’s Plumbing, and we would be more than happy to provide an estimate for your water heater installation or upgrade. Prices range considerably from model to model, but we will go over all of your options to find something that suits your needs and your budget.