Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are a popular alternative to traditional hot water tanks in today’s households. The heater is wall-mounted and heats water on demand, which can reduce energy costs and provide an unlimited amount of hot water. Tankless water heaters are available in several capacities and are powered by natural gas or electricity. While this innovation may sound like the ideal hot water delivery solution, there are pros and cons to consider.

Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

Never run out of hot water

The tankless water heater operates on demand. This means that as soon as a family member wants to take a shower or run a load of laundry, they have hot water.

Save money on energy costs

Because the unit only heats water when you need it, you don’t use as much electricity or natural gas, thus lowering your fuel bills. In general, electric tankless water heaters cost less to operate.

Longer life span

Tankless water heaters have double the lifespan of a traditional hot water tank. Typically, you can get 20 years out of a tankless unit with proper annual maintenance as recommended by the manufacturer, as opposed to 7-10 years from a traditional hot water tank.

Save space

Since the tank is mounted on the wall, you’ll have more space in your basement or utility area.

Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

More expensive

Tankless water heaters are more expensive than traditional hot water tanks. In addition to the unit itself, you will need to accommodate additional venting for gas powered tanks, as well as account for a gas line or electrical connections.

Inconsistent temperature

On-demand doesn’t necessarily mean an instant flow of water at your desired temperature. If your unit is too small, you may not be able to multitask, such as running the dishwasher, taking a shower, and doing the laundry simultaneously.

Higher maintenance

Tankless water heaters don’t play well with hard water, so you should plan on draining the tank and changing the filter every month, in addition to frequently flushing the tank as directed by the manufacturer. Standard water tanks also need protection against hard water deposits but only need to be flushed annually. The intricacies of the tankless water heater’s operation make it more susceptible to malfunction.

Atlas Butler Installs Tankless Water Heaters

If you would like to further discuss the option of a tankless water heater and how one would work for your household, contact Atlas Butler at 614-681-2167. One of our certified plumbers will be happy to meet with you and assess your family’s daily hot water consumption and recommend the best tankless water model for your household. You can also schedule a quote online to get started.