The Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

When it comes to choosing the right water heater for your home, you need to make a decision that works best for your family and budget. You might find that tankless models are the better option if you want to save money, energy, or space.

They come in a variety of sizes, with some designed to handle households that use a lot of water and others built for smaller homes. In order to determine which size you need, you will need to look at your water usage patterns.

1. Table of Contents

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   Cost

The cost of tankless water heaters depends on the model, location, and installation. Some homeowners will need to pay electricians or plumbers to set up the electric, gas, and water lines to accommodate the new tankless system.

Depending on your local utility company, you may be eligible for a tax credit or rebate to help offset the cost of installing a tankless system. These incentives can be significant, as they can cut your hot water heating costs by up to 10% a year.

Installing a whole-house system can cost between $450 and $4,000, depending on the size and type of tankless heater you purchase. These systems use electricity or gas and can produce anywhere from 5 to 10 gallons of hot water per minute.

If your home doesn’t have adequate space to install a whole-house tankless water heater, you can opt for single-point units that heat water on demand. These can save you money on your electricity bill and are highly efficient, as the water travels a short distance before reaching your faucet.

However, they aren’t always the best option for large homes. If you have a lot of bathrooms or water-based fixtures, a whole-house system will probably be more efficient.

Another drawback of tankless water heaters is that they require frequent cleanings and maintenance. If you live in an area with hard water, for example, it’s a good idea to have a professional flush the unit every 500 hours to keep mineral buildup from clogging the heat exchanger and causing the system to shut down prematurely.

The upfront cost of a tankless water heater can be high, but the savings on energy bills will more than makeup for the cost over time. The Department of Energy reports that a natural gas tankless water heater can cut your power bills by $100 a year, and an electric one can lower them by $50.

2. Energy Efficiency

A tankless water heater is an energy-efficient alternative to traditional storage tanks. These systems heat only the amount of hot water you need, reducing standby losses (losses of energy as the water sits unused in a tank).

According to Consumer Reports, homeowners that use 41 gallons or less of hot water a day may enjoy 24 to 34 percent energy efficiency from tankless models. Those that need to provide more hot water a day, such as households with two or three bathrooms, can see an additional 8 to 14 percent in energy savings.

Choosing the right gas or electric model for your household will also make a difference in your energy efficiency, especially when considering the installation cost. The upfront costs can vary by manufacturer, but they can easily add up to more than $1,000 if you need to pay electricians or plumbers to reroute gas and electrical lines.

Some models have an intermittent ignition device that automatically lights the pilot light as needed, minimizing wasted energy and reducing the risk of fires. These units are also more durable and more energy-efficient than those with a constantly burning pilot light.

As with other appliances in your home, a tankless water heater needs to be regularly serviced. This involves flushing out the unit to remove hard-water deposits and cleaning out the sediment filter, if necessary.

In addition to saving money on your energy bill, a tankless system can help lower the greenhouse gases released when power plants generate electricity from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil. This can help lower your carbon footprint, a critical issue for many Americans.

3. Installation

If you’re ready to upgrade your water heating system, there are several factors to consider. You need to choose a tankless water heater that is suitable for your home’s size and energy needs and your budget. You need to ensure that the new unit will work with your existing electrical system and gas lines and that it will have a good ventilation system.

Tankless water heaters are more involved than traditional tank-type units, and it’s best to leave the project to a professional plumber. They know how to abide by current codes and regulations regarding carbon monoxide emissions, thermal resistance, venting, and more.

When you’re ready to install a tankless water heater, follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions. They will outline all the pipe connections and flow valves you need to make and provide an overview of how to connect the unit’s supply and vent pipes.

Next, connect the gas line to your new heater. You may need to use a tee or valve that taps into an existing line, or you may need to purchase a gas line. The length of the line you need will depend on where the heater is installed relative to the tee.

After you’ve connected the gas line, it’s time to connect the water lines to your new tankless water heater. The water lines are typically made of copper or stainless steel, but you can also use a PVC-to-copper connection.

If you’re looking to install a gas tankless water heater, you will need to use a threaded black iron pipe to connect the gas line to your new water heater. You can also use a tee or valve to connect the gas line to an existing line, but be sure to turn off the main gas line if you do this.

4. Lifespan

The lifespan of a tankless water heater can be much longer than that of a traditional storage water heater. Tankless units can last anywhere from 15 to 20 years, depending on the model and how well it is maintained.

The main reason a tankless water heater has a longer life span is that they can heat water only as needed. This is much more energy efficient than a conventional water heater that stores gallons of hot water in anticipation of when it’s used.

Another reason a tankless water heater has fewer problems than a conventional one is that they are less likely to leak. Conventional water heaters are prone to leaks and can damage the inside of the unit, causing mold or other issues in your home.

You can help extend the lifespan of your tankless water heater by performing yearly maintenance tasks, such as flushing it and descaling it. This maintenance can also include using a water treatment product to prevent hard water from damaging your unit’s pipes and heat exchangers.

These tasks are easy and inexpensive, but they can help extend your unit’s life by preventing it from leaking or breaking down prematurely. If you don’t perform these routine tasks, you may find yourself having to replace your water heater sooner than you would with a tankless water heater.

When the time comes to replace your water heater, a tankless model will save you money on utility bills and avoid the hassle of having to make multiple trips to the hardware store for repairs. They also come with longer warranties than a traditional water heater and can be an excellent choice for anyone who wants to invest in the future of their home.

5. Maintenance

Tankless water heaters require a bit of maintenance to keep them working well. They need to be flushed once a year and cleaned with a descaling solution to remove mineral build-up.

This is a lot of work, but it will help extend the life of your water heater and reduce the need for expensive repairs. In addition, it will also reduce your energy bill and make the unit operate more efficiently.

If you don’t properly maintain your tankless water heater, you can experience costly breakdowns and frequent repairs. To avoid these problems, you need to follow a maintenance schedule as recommended by the manufacturer.

The first step is to clean the air filter on your tankless water heater. This will ensure that it has enough airflow and helps prevent sediment from entering your water heater.

A water filter will save you money on your water bills and reduce the amount of sediment that gets into your system. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning your filter at least once a month.

While at it, you should also change the filter periodically to ensure it is clean and working properly. You should check the owner’s manual for instructions on how to do this.

Calcium build-up is one of the most common issues that cause a tankless water heater to stop working. This can affect the heat exchangers and connectors.

Another issue is water hardness. This can lead to rust and other problems that need to be addressed by a plumber.

The most important thing you can do is to maintain your tankless water heater. Performing these simple tasks will help your heater function at its best, prolong the life of the unit, and decrease your energy bills.