Skip to main content
tankless water heaters - Clarke & Rush

Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

| Clarke & Rush |

Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Are you wondering whether it would be wise for you to invest in a tankless water heater for your home? In this article, we discuss some of the pros and cons of tankless water heaters. We hope this information makes it easier for you to decide whether a tankless water heater is suitable for your needs.

The Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters have several advantages, which is why these appliances have become more popular among homeowners. Here are some of them.

Tankless Water Heaters Have Longer Service Life

Tankless water heaters only turn on when there is demand for hot water somewhere in the home, such as in the bathroom or when you want to run the dishwasher. Consequently, the water heater will stay off for most of the day. This reduces the amount of wear that the components are exposed to on a daily basis. This is unlike traditional water heaters that keep cycling on and off in order to keep the water in their tanks at a constant temperature throughout the day. This cycling causes the components to wear out quickly, and the heater itself ages faster. In fact, a typical tankless water heater will last twice as long as a traditional water heater.

Tankless Water Heaters Have Higher Energy Efficiency

Plumbers in Sacramento also explain that tankless water heaters consume less energy on a monthly basis when compared to traditional water heaters. As already mentioned, the traditional water heater keeps turning on and off whether someone is at home and needs hot water, or not. This cycling consumes energy, and your bill will be higher at the end of the month.

In contrast, tankless water heaters only avail hot water on demand. This ultimately reduces the energy that is needed each month to address your hot water needs.

Tankless Waters Take Up Less Space

Tankless water heaters also require less space than traditional water heaters. The tank of the traditional water heater occupies a lot of space, and this space is saved if one installs a tankless water heater. This advantage can be a major one if your property is small and every inch matters.

Tax Breaks and Financing Options for Tankless Water Heaters

Different local, state and federal agencies now encourage homeowners to switch to more efficient appliances, such as tankless water heaters. Several incentives, such as tax breaks, can, therefore, be secured to ease the burden of purchasing a tankless water heater. Ask a plumber in Sacramento for help in identifying which incentives are locally available so that you can reduce the cost of buying and installing this appliance.

The Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Sacramento plumbing contractors explain that tankless water heaters also have their drawbacks, including the following;

Higher Initial Cost for Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters are generally more expensive to buy and install when compared to the traditional water heaters. For example, the installer may need to move the gas line in order to accommodate the unique dimensions of this tank. Such adjustments increase the installation costs for this new kind of water heater.

Tankless Water Heaters Have Inconsistent Water Temperature 

Another issue with tankless water heaters is that the water reaching the different points of use may vary in temperature. This is especially likely to happen if several points of use are operational at the same time, such as two people taking a shower in different bathrooms at the same time. Sacramento plumbing experts explain that this happens when the demand for water is higher than what the heater can handle at that time.

It Takes Longer to Recoup Your Investment

The higher initial costs of acquiring and installing the tankless water heater mean that a homeowner will take longer to recoup the extra money invested in the heater. Generally speaking, a water heater will save you approximately $75 each year in energy bills. This means that you may need about a decade to recover the extra money that you paid for this appliance in lieu of buying a traditional water heater. Are you willing to wait this long to recoup your investment?

More Maintenance May Be Required

Plumbers at Clarke & Rush caution homeowners to read the warranty terms of tankless water heaters carefully before having those water heaters installed in their Sacramento homes. This is because some manufacturers may impose additional maintenance work, such as mandatory annual inspections and the installation of a water softener. This extra maintenance can increase the total cost of owning the tankless water heater, and you may void your warranty if you don’t maintain the water heater as instructed by the manufacturer.

It is advisable for you to talk to an expert at Clarke & Rush about your desire to acquire a tankless water heater for your home. We will assess your needs and recommend the most appropriate option so that some of the shortcomings of these appliances can be forestalled.

Top 4 signs your main sewer line is clogged - Clarke & Rush
Top 4 Signs Your Main Sewer Line is Damaged or Clogged
Clarke & Rush - Which thermostat setting is better?
Which Thermostat Setting Is Better?