Are you in the market for a new water heater? We encourage you to take some time to research your options. Newest on the market are the tankless water heaters. If you are looking for a more energy-efficient way to heat your household’s water supply this may be your best choice. Take some time to read the pros and cons of this latest style of a water heater.
Pros and Cons for Tankless Water Heater
When choosing your new water heater you may be under the assumption that if you have a big family you need a huge water heater. This is not necessarily true. The traditional water heater can often hold 80 gallons of water which keeps hot for you and your family all day. This type of water heater can allow for a family to take a shower and run the washer and dishwasher at the same time. Great! Maybe not so great. The traditional water heater keeps the water heated all day which uses energy in your home, therefore, increasing the utility bill. Also, the hot water still needs to travel from the tank to various parts of the house which in turn will use energy to keep it hot. Highly inefficient.
On the other hand, a tankless water heater heats water as you need it. The energy is utilized for the amount of water you need when you need it. With this type of unit, your home is supplied an endless amount of hot water at the maximum flow without a drop in flow even when operating several appliances. Tankless water heaters bring the hot water close to where you need it reducing traveling through the home and higher energy costs. These models can pump out hot water all day but do not produce a large quantity at once. The average output is 2.5-5 gallons per minute where the traditional water heater 7.5-9.5 gallons.
Space Saving
A traditional water heater usually takes up a good amount of room and often stored in the basement. Whereas, a tankless unit can be installed at any location you need hot water. The tankless water heater is more cost-effective, unlike the traditional option which can be a larger initial cost to install as well as a larger cost on a utility bill. Surveys show that tankless water heaters can save $100 on your utility bill. They also last longer 15-20 years where the traditional model maybe 10 years.
Hot Water Heaters
True, if you are running a lot of hot water at once you may notice a lag in your hot water with the tankless variety while the system is heating water to keep up. Compare that to running out of hot water in the traditional water heater and having to wait 20-60 minutes for more water to be heated to complete your task. Running out of hot water is an inconvenience and embarrassing if visitors to your home run out of hot water during their shower.
Another thought would be to have both types of water heaters in your home. Consider a tank and tankless system in your home. Should you need several shower and dishes done at the same time the tank back up can jumpstart the system to provide the hot water. This will still save on utility costs in the long run and maybe the best option for a large family.
Pros
- Energy efficiency
- Space Saving
- The continual flow of hot water
Cons
- May need more than one unit
- Annual maintenance required
- Installation needs to be by a professional
If in doubt as you shop for your new water heater contact a professional plumber to receive expert advice for your family and the particular home. Owings Mechanical Master Plumber can help you decide which type of water heater will be more beneficial for you.
