PLUMBING

PROS AND CONS OF TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

02/21/2023

PLUMBING

PROS AND CONS OF TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

02/21/2023

Tankless water heaters have been getting increasingly popular in Vancouver for both residential and commercial use. But why is it so popular nowadays? If you’re looking to reduce your carbon footprint and looking for ways to invest in the future, tankless water heaters may be your solution! Once you have a basic understanding of what a tankless water heater is, we’ll get into the pros and cons of tankless water heaters.

What is a Tankless Hot Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters are also known as an on-demand water heaters. The reason why it’s alternatively called an on-demand water heater is that it only heats up the amount of hot water needed with electricity, natural gas, or propane. So when you turn on the hot water in your tap, the cold water is quickly heated up in the heat exchanger and sent right to the tap in use.

Another added bonus of tankless water heaters is the compact size compared to a traditional 50 to 80-gallon hot water tank. Despite the small size, you’ll have hot water on demand as long as you don’t exceed the heating capacity.

Traditional water heaters are able to hold a large volume of water. All of the water that’s stored in the tank is heated all throughout the day. This is exactly why tankless water heaters are far more energy efficient and cost-effective.

Pros and Cons of Tankless Hot Water Heaters

Now that you have a basic understanding of what a tankless water heater is, let’s get into the pros and cons.

Pros

Energy Efficient: Since you only heat up the amount of hot water needed at the time, you’ll find your utility bill decreases significantly. If you use a lot of hot water, you’ll definitely notice the difference. Also, cost performance will also vary between gas-powered or electric-powered tankless water heaters.
Compact Size: Tankless water heaters are extremely compact and ideal for smaller homes and small mechanical rooms.
Increased Lifespan: Compared to a traditional hot water tank, with proper maintenance and care, tankless water heaters can last up to 20 years and sometimes longer. On the other hand, traditional tanks only last 10 to 15 years.
Consistent Hot Water Use: As long as you don’t exceed the unit’s heating capacity, you’ll have on-demand hot water to meet your lifestyle.

The EPA estimates that a tankless water heater uses up to 34% less energy than a storage tank water heater if you use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily. If the household uses closer to 86 gallons of hot water a day a tankless water heater will be up to 14% more efficient (1).

Cons

Installation Requirements: Depending on the current system you have in your home, you may need your plumber to modify gas lines or electrical wiring. In most cases, it’s a simple installation.
Higher Upfront Costs: The amount of energy savings and utility expenses you’ll be saving in the long run, your first investment to install a new tankless hot water heater may seem expensive. It’s worth the investment though.
Maintenance and Care: In order to reduce the amount of mineral build-up and other factors, you’ll want to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for regular maintenance. If you want it to work at its best, take care of your system. Cleaning and replacing the filter is a must for longevity's sake too.
Limited Hot Water Output: On-demand water heaters are known to have a continuous supply of hot water. You’ll want to make sure you get the appropriately sized system for the amount of hot water you’re going to be needing. If you’re exhausting the system by demanding hot water in various parts of your home at once, you’ll be sadly disappointed.

To understand more about the various sizes of tankless hot water heaters,
you’ll want to visit this article to find out more.

Deciding Whether to Upgrade or Not

According to Energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Tankless water heaters (if gas-fired) will save homeowners over $100 annually the longer they remain in service (2).

As we mentioned earlier, depending on whether your on-demand hot water heater is powered by natural gas, propane, or electricity will make a significant difference on your utility bill.

Additionally, you’ll want to think about how much hot water is being used at a given time and how many households require hot water from the system.

Needless to say, installing a brand-new heating system is going to be an investment. When you look at the grand scheme of things and take into account how much you’ll be saving in the long run, you’ll know which heating system is right for you.

That being said, you may be wondering whether to upgrade to a tankless water heater or stick with a tank. You may find this article interesting if you’re on the fence.

Call High Mark's plumbing experts to schedule your tankless hot water heater repairs and installation to be done today at 604-945-6060.

Conclusion

Tankless water heaters are a fantastic option for those who have the desire to cut down on utility expenses in the long run and reduce their carbon footprint. There are various factors to consider before you jump the gun.

We hope you found this blog post informative!

Are you on the fence? Give us a call and speak to our service manager to have any questions answered. And as always, you can always find us on social media: Instagram and Facebook. Let us know what you find interesting!

Sources Cited:

Major Energy: Which Saves More Energy: Tank or Tankless Water Heaters.
Petro Home Services: Tankless hot water heaters vs Tank storage water heaters.

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Scott Bissett

Scott is an amazing plumber.. He started his career in the plumbing industry in 2001. He specializes in all areas of plumbing including commercial, residential, and service. In his free time Scott enjoys traveling and spending time with his family and wife.