Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters have become a popular option when homeowners need to install or replace a water heater in their home. Tankless water heaters do not heat and store water to be used as needed, they heat on demand. There are some fundamental differences in traditional water heaters and tankless which makes it particularly important to carefully consider your household and hot water needs before you choose which hot water heater is best for you. Below, we help take some of the guesswork out of it by looking at the pros and cons of tankless water heaters.

• PRO: Energy Efficient

Tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than their traditional counterparts because they do not heat water and then have to work to keep it warm until it is used. Tankless heaters heat the water on demand, ultimately using less energy.

• PRO: Longer Lifespan

While tankless water heaters do have a higher price point for the initial investment, their lifespan is 20 years, unlike traditional water heaters which typically only last 10 years.

• PRO: Hot Water on Demand

With a tankless water heater, you will get the hot water you want in a matter of seconds so you do not have to waste time and water waiting for it to heat up.

• CON: Higher Initial Cost

As aforementioned, tankless water heaters are more expensive to purchase. They are typically about double the cost of a traditional heater. But, as also mentioned, they do last twice as long.

• CON: Limited Flow Rate

While tankless water heaters can produce hot water on demand, if they are not sized correctly, they will eventually run out of hot water. This would likely only be a problem if multiple people are showering simultaneously or other areas of water are being substantially run simultaneously. For this reason, consider tankless water heater size carefully.