If you currently own a storage tank water heater that’s approaching retirement age, it’s worth learning about the pros and cons of replacing it with a tankless water heater. There are both gas and electric types available, and you can have one or more tankless units installed to serve one bathroom or your entire house.
Tankless Water Heater Pros
Investing in an on-demand, tankless water heater has some clear advantages:
- Cost savings. On-demand water heaters eliminate the energy wasted keeping 50, 60 or more gallons of water hot and available for use, because there’s no tank. Standby heat loss can’t be avoided even with a well-insulated tank-style heater, and you’re paying for that extra energy consumption year round.
- Greater reliability. Storage tank water heaters have an average service life of 10–13 years, and as they age, there’s an increased risk of water damage to your home if the tank fails. In comparison, on-demand units have a lifespan of about 20 years, and there’s no danger of a devastating tank failure.
- Added convenience. Even with the largest capacity tank-type model, if multiple showers are taken, you’re doing laundry and/or running the dishwasher you can run out of hot water. A large-capacity tankless unit can supply hot water to three showers at the same time, and because it keeps producing, you’ll never have to wait while another tank heats up.
- Space savings. Tankless models can be installed where a bulky storage tank won’t fit because they’re relatively small. Depending on the type and size you choose and its gas line and venting requirements, you can have an on-demand unit wall-mounted in your garage, utility room, basement or even in the bathroom it serves.
Tankless Water Heaters Have One Major Negative
On-demand units can be two–three times the cost of tank-style units, and you may have to pay extra for some installation modifications. For many homeowners, the long-term energy savings, convenience and added reliability make the expense worthwhile.
For expert advice about whether a tankless water heater is the right choice for your Lorain home, contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about tankless water heaters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area