Why You Should Upgrade to a Tankless Water Heater

For many of us, having enough hot water was always a challenge when we were growing up. We had to carefully time out who in the house was showering when, what time to start the dishwasher or set off a load of laundry, and so on—all to give our water heater tanks a chance to refill.

As strange as it might sound, advancements in recent years have made it possible for tankless water heaters to not only cover the job traditional tanks used to do but actually do them more efficiently and without running out of hot water! On top of that, tankless water heaters can provide energy efficiency benefits and save on space. Let’s dive into the benefits of tankless heaters, how they work, and look at what you need to do to take advantage of the opportunities such models can provide.

How they Work

Tankless water heaters work quite simply. When a faucet is turned on, cold water begins to travel down a pipe until it reaches a heat exchanger in the tankless water heater unit. The water is heated very rapidly due to running through the heat exchanging portion of the unit and then pushed out toward the open faucet. Just like that—near-instantaneous warm or hot water. Thus, there is no limit on how much water can be heated, as long as the flow rate allows for adequate heating within the unit before pushing it back out. Sometimes a gas flame is what powers the heating element, but it’s often heated up via electricity. 

Energy Efficiency

Because using this style of water heater means you aren’t routinely heating (and keeping hot) large tanks full of water, the energy costs required can be considerably reduced. After all, you no longer need to worry about standby heat loss. This is especially true when it’s an electricity-powered tankless unit. On the other hand, the benefit of gas-powered tankless units, thanks to their always-on pilot lights (though they do increase energy use compared to electrical units), is that they can deliver a higher rate of flow for warm water.

Depending on the model and usage, some homeowners can reduce the costs of their hot water by up to 30% compared to tank models. There is, of course, a tradeoff in that these tankless models tend to be a bit more expensive to install, but over enough time the energy savings can offset or even eclipse the upfront costs—especially as energy costs continue to soar.

And finally, installing a tankless water heater is a small but still meaningful step in reducing one’s carbon footprint, as the reduction in energy consumption is an environmentally friendly change.

Space-Saving Design

Unlike bulky water heater tanks that require significant space, at least a corner of a room or sometimes an entire dedicated space (after all, there is such thing as a “boiler room,” tankless water heaters are far more compact and flexible with regards to placements. This is ideal for homes with limited space. They’re small enough to be mounted on the wall, freeing up floor space or allowing for placement closer to the most-used faucets on the premise. And while we’re always prioritizing function over form for these units, it doesn’t hurt that tankless heaters often come with a modern, sleek appearance that is pleasing to the eye—especially compared to the bulk of traditional tank-based models.

No Waiting for a Tank to Refill

Since the water is heated instantaneously, and there’s no limit to the amount of hot water the heater can provide, a lot of the common issues people with tank-based water heaters have will be alleviated with a tankless system. There’s no need to wait to take a shower after another person has taken their own; there isn’t a finite amount of hot water the first shower (or dishwasher or washing machine run) has used up. Households with tankless heaters enjoy consistent warm water without the fluctuations that have plagued traditional systems.

That said, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a potential downside to tankless water heaters: most models have a reduced flow rate compared to traditional heating models. So while there’s no waiting for a tank to refill, if enough hot water is being run simultaneously it could result in poor heating efficiency and lukewarm water. While most single-family homes won’t run into this problem with normal water use, some properties might if their water needs differ.

This can be remedied by either investing in a high flow-rate tankless heater or installing multiple units for large properties or homes that use a lot of hot water. The costs naturally increase when you go either of those routes, so it’s important to speak with one of our experts about your home’s water usage, flow rates, and your tankless heater options. The U.S. Department of Energy also has a handy guide on determining the right heater “size” and flow rate for your home.

The Importance of Professional Installation

It might go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: do not attempt to install a water heater, tankless or not, yourself! Bring in the experts like our team to set up your unit. Incorrect installation can result in poor efficiency, inconsistent water temperatures, or could even damage your home. Plus, only licensed professionals can best evaluate your plumbing and gas lines to make sure not only that your tankless water heater is set up properly, but that you selected the right unit in the first place!

It’s also important to have your water heater routinely maintained by professionals—ask our experts about our deals on maintenance plans! When tankless units, like any major home appliance, are professionally installed and well-maintained, they last longer, suffer less wear and tear, and perform closer to their peak for longer. And of course, many manufacturer’s warranties are voided if you don’t have the unit professionally installed or adequately maintained.

Contact us today to speak with our experts on how you can upgrade to a tankless water heater to improve your home’s access to hot water, save energy, and cut down on costs in the long run!