What makes tankless water heaters a great alternative to traditional tank-style water heaters? First, let’s consider the benefits. A tankless water heater provides energy efficiency, cost savings, extra space in your basement and endless hot water. Ready to dive deeper into why you may want to consider getting a tankless water heater installed?
To get you started, a traditional “tank-style” hot water heater consists of a very large tank containing water that is constantly heated and reheated. In comparsion, a tankless hot water heater is a small (travel suitcase sized) unit that is attached to the wall (usually in the furnace room) that heats water only as it’s needed. Tankless water heaters pass water through what’s called a heat exchanger to heat the water on demand (i.e. when you turn on your hot water tap or start up your washing machine). This means instant hot water is provided right when you need it, and for as long as you need it.
Fun fact – a tankless hot water heater never runs out of hot water.
There are many benefits that make a tankless water heater overshadow a traditional tank-style water heater.
#1: Energy Efficiency
The first benefit of tankless water heaters is they are extremely energy efficient. Traditional hot water heaters run all the time as they heat and reheat stored water. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, only run when you are actually using hot water. This means you can save energy by only running the hot water heater when you need it, instead it running 24/7. Not only is this energy efficient, but cost efficient as well. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tankless water heaters provide 34% more energy-efficiency on average than traditional tank-style water heaters.
#2: Cost Savings
Who doesn’t like saving money? Not only are tankless water heaters more energy efficient, they can save you money in the long run with reduced energy bills. While it’s true that a properly installed tankless water heater is more costly than a traditional tank water heater, the long-term savings and benefits are often more than worth the price. As a result of tankless water heaters only heating your water when you need it, less energy is used throughout the day, which means less of a cost to you. Think of it this way, do you leave your lights on all day when you’re not home? That would be a waste of energy and money; so why use a traditional tank-style hot water heater that runs when you’re not home and not using any hot water?
#3: Endless Hot Water
Have you ever turned on your shower or bath only to discover there’s no hot water left? Maybe the dishwasher or washing machine was previously run and used up all the hot water? Or perhaps a family member or guest had an extra long shower? This can be very frustrating and a very common occurrence when homes use traditional tank-style hot water heaters. This will not happen if you have a tankless hot water heater which can provide an endless supply of hot water. A tankless hot water heater is not limited by a pre-set tank size of water. Instead, a tankless water heater will provide endless hot water to your taps for as long as you need it.
#4: Space Saving
Something you might not know is that tankless water heaters take up far less space than traditional tank water heaters. Traditional water heaters are giant tanks of water that usually reside in your furnace room. By contrast, a tankless water heater is about the size of a small travel suitcase and is mounted on the wall thereby freeing up valuable floor space. If you are renovating your basement or just need to maximize on your floor space, a tankless hot water heater is your best choice.
Where Can I Get a Tankless Water Heater?
Simply put, tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient, cost-effective, and family friendly (endless hot water). Although the up-front cost is higher than for a standard hot water tank, the benefits of having one are worth it.
If you are in the market for a new tankless water heater, you can get in touch with our team at Pinnacle Group today!