Not familiar with tankless water heaters? Here’s a quick introduction:
Storage vs. Tankless Heaters: The Main Differences
Traditional water heaters use a storage tank to hold a ready supply of hot water. These tanks are powered by natural gas or electricity, and come in sizes ranging from 30-80 gallons, but can be installed with an additional tank for higher capacities (e.g. a household of five might use two 40-gallon water tanks). Storage is the most commonly used water heater type in American households because of their lower cost and easier installation.Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, provide hot water only as needed. They are significantly smaller than storage tanks, and heat water as it passes through a pipe in the unit. A single tankless unit can suit a small household (1-3 people), but larger households might need two or more units. Tankless water heaters are newer, but increasingly used for energy-conscious families.
Pros of Switching to Tankless Water Heaters
- More energy-efficient than traditional storage water heaters
- Last over 20 years, which is double the minimum lifetime expectancy of storage water heaters
- Lower energy and operational costs than storage water heaters
- Operation cost can recuperate the installation cost over the long term
- Significantly smaller than storage water heaters
- Can be installed in tight areas, outdoors, or separately for each hot water outlet (which also significantly increases energy efficiency).
Cons of Switching to Tankless Water Heaters
- High purchase and installation costs, especially if your water heater repair & replacement contractor has to retrofit it for your gas/electricity supply
- More costly to repair and replace
- Might not be able to “keep up” during high-demand hours (if only using one unit)
- If your groundwater is cold, it might take more time to heat.
To Switch or Not?
The largest barriers to switching from a traditional water heater to a tankless one are the cost and retrofitting. The initial cost could be up to three times that of a storage tank, whereas installation can be up to double. This significant difference might be due to tankless heaters having different gas or electricity requirements than your current heater.Your water heater repair & replacement contractor might need to install a wider pipe from the water heater to the gas meter, or upgrade your home’s electrical service. This makes it more ideal to switch to a tankless water heater if you’re building or renovating your home.
If you’re still uncertain about whether you should switch, talk to a water heater repair & replacement expert at your local plumbing company. They can discuss your thoughts and concerns, and help you determine if going tankless is a good fit for your home and lifestyle.
