How do tankless water heaters work?
Tankless water heaters work by using a high-powered electric element or gas burner to warm the water as it travels through a pipe and into the unit, rather than constantly heating and storing hot water in a large storage tank. Not only does this increase your efficiency and energy consumption, but also delivers a near endless supply of hot water and provides instantaneous comfort and convenience to your home. However, it’s not without its limitations. Below we discuss some of the benefits and risks of a tankless water system that you should consider before making the change.
PROS
#1: Instant Hot Water
As water is heated on demand, tankless water heaters can provide an unending stream of hot water almost instantly.
#2: Lower Monthly Costs
Tankless heaters are far more efficient than standard storage tanks, and monthly savings on utilities add up to save you hundreds yearly!
#3: Longer Lifespan
A typical water heater lasts around a decade, while tankless water heaters last roughly double that. Choosing a tankless heater can avoid the need to replace your water heater nearly as frequently to keep your home’s water comfortable efficiently.
#4: Hot Water is Always Available
Because tankless heaters heat water as it comes, you will not run out of hot water after running showers or laundry for a while, as you would when a storage tank would run out in a typical heater.
#5: Eliminate “Standby Loss”
Traditional units reheat water repeatedly, utilizing energy and raising bills each time that they do so — even when no one is home. Because tankless units heat on demand, there is no energy wasted in downtime when water isn’t being used.
CONS
#1: Inconsistent Temperatures
Particularly when using multiple outlets at once, the heat that tankless heaters can provide can be inconsistent. However, managing your water usage and avoiding simultaneous draw can easily manage and avoid these problems.
#2: Higher Initial Cost
Because tankless water heaters are more efficient and have a longer lifespan, they are inherently more expensive than traditional models. However, this initial expense is returned in time with the savings that tankless heaters can provide.
#3: Difficulties When Multiple Hot Water Supplies Are Utilized
Though tankless heaters are ideal when water is used in one place at a time, when demand increases beyond that, it can begin to struggle to keep water everywhere consistently hot. As a result, both areas way struggle with water pressure and temperature.
#4: More Expensive Installation
Tankless water heaters are typically more expensive to install, and can often require special measures such as additional equipment and gas line modification. These accommodations lead to the final installation cost of tankless heaters to be higher than a typical water heater.
#5: Additional Maintenance
In order to maintain a warranty, tankless heaters may require additional regular maintenance, including flushing your system to avoid buildup in the lines, and potentially a water softener.
It’s important to consider the benefits and drawbacks of any new equipment before making a big decision. If interested in a tankless water heater, call us at (913) 535-8002 or schedule online for a quote in your home!
