In recent years, advances in the technology of water heaters have led to the introduction of water heaters that supply hot water on demand. Instead of storing hot water in an insulated tank, in volumes from 15 to 50 gallons, you can now save significant space in your home by going tankless. This blog post identifies the advantages and disadvantages of using a tankless water heater.
At Public Service Plumbers, we have set the standard of excellence for reliability and customer service for more than 50 years. We make our services available throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Call us at (214) 753-4633 to schedule a service visit, or to learn about the most effective ways to heat and cool your home.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of a Tankless Water Heater
According to Consumer Reports, the cost of heating water often accounts for up to one-third of the average energy budget in most homes. A tankless water heater, which only heats the water you need, would seem to be more efficient than heating up to 50 gallons that sit in a storage tank. However, you need to look at the additional cost of a tankless water heater to determine whether you will benefit in the long run.
In its study, Consumer Reports determined that on-demand or tankless water heaters were more efficient, saving homeowners approximately 22% on the costs of hot water. This translated to a savings of approximately $75 per year. The tankless water heaters tested ran from $800 to $1150, compared with $300-480 for storage-tank water heaters, and cost more to install. Accordingly, to recover up-front costs, you will need to have the water heater for at least a decade.
The other principal concern involved the consistency of hot water. Consumer Reports found that many people complained that the water temperatures were inconsistent on the tankless models. The tankless models need to gauge the current temperature of the water to determine how much of a temperature rise is necessary. This can take a while. In addition, if you need a small amount of hot water—to wash your hands or get a cloth wet—the burner may not kick in unless you run water for a while.
Tankless units may also require more maintenance. Calcium buildup can be a problem, which can have an impact on water flow, as well as efficiency.
Call Us Now
For service, or if you just have questions about a heating or cooling system, call us at (214) 753-4633. We are available to take your call 24 hours a day, seven days a week—whenever you need our help. Because we have a large service fleet, we can often address warranty and service issues the same day. We also offer a one year warranty on all parts and labor.
