When you are researching water heaters either for a new home or for the replacement of your current water heater, you are sure to hear about the tankless models. But with many, many decades of reliability from conventional style water heaters, you could be a little skeptical. I know that I was when I began my quest for water heater knowledge. And while I discovered many great benefits, I also found that this is not a magic appliance with no drawbacks. And I would like to share both the pros and cons with you so that you can make the choice that is best for you when evaluating tankless water heaters.
The Biggie- Dollars, And Cents
The first thing you read about tankless water heaters is how much money they will save you due to their extreme energy efficiency. And these units have indeed eliminated the wasted energy cost by no maintaining a tank of hot water 24/7 for the next decade. So you will save money on your energy bill each month that you have a tankless water heater.
In addition to saving you money on your energy bill, the tankless water heater is expected to have a life expectancy of almost twice that of a traditional tank-style water heater. So you are getting many more years of service, as long as you properly maintain your water heater. And I also want to add that every water heater needs some maintenance and TLC over its lifetime, so neither is a set it and forget it appliance.
Now for the financial downside of tankless water heaters. The initial purchase price of a tankless unit is considerably more than a traditional water heater. And because of the heating on-demand function, you could be facing a much higher installation cost, especially in the case of replacing a conventional water heater. The best way to estimate the price of a retrofit for your home is to call (214) 388-4525 to schedule a no-obligation estimate from the plumbing pros at Metroplex Leak & Line.
What You Get For Your Money
The catchphrase for tankless water heaters seems to be unlimited hot water. And while that is true, there are limitations that you should be aware of. Understanding how tankless water heaters work will help this make more sense. There is no holding tank on a tankless water heater, as the name implies. So when you turn on a hot water faucet, the unit heats the water as it flows through the pipes to the spigot. That means you are not limited to a specific amount of hot water as you are with a tanked model. Tankless water heaters will continue to heat water for as long as you leave a faucet open.
But what you also need to know is that each tankless water heater has a limited capacity for heating water. The units are rated according to how much water it can heat at one time. So you might be able to open two faucets at the same time or more, depending on the size or rating of your tankless water heater. Again, contacting the pros at Metroplex Leak & Line is the best way to determine how much hot water you are likely to need at one time. And how to select the correct size tankless water heater to meet your needs.
And while all of this new information might make the selection and installation process seem like too much trouble, remember that this new water heater could last up to about two decades. So, in the end, you need to evaluate which aspects of tankless water heaters you value and which appear to be too much of a challenge to make them worth the purchase and installation price. Then you are back to an old fashioned ledger style decision. Are there more pros or cons on your tally sheet?
Nothing is perfect, and everything in your home will wear out or require some maintenance or service at some point. But know that tankless water heaters are no longer a new technology, which makes servicing and repairs much less complicated. Any full-service plumber, like Metroplex Leak & Line, can install and service the tankless water heater in your home.
