The tankless water heater isn’t a new piece of technology: the earliest tankless water heaters were developed at the end of the nineteenth century. However, the tankless water heaters didn’t become viable options for homes until fairly recently, when technological advancements made them capable of providing entire households with the hot water they need at a cost-effective price. Now tankless water heaters rank among the most popular choices for new water heater installations.
If you’re considering a tankless water heater in Smyrna, DE, you’ll want to know as much as possible about the potential benefits of these systems, as well as potential drawbacks. The tank water heater is still a good option when it comes to providing for the hot water needs of a house. We’ll look at the pros and cons of going tankless to help you better understand if your house is a good candidate.
Pro: Energy Savings
The major innovation of tankless water heaters is the elimination of the standby water loss that impairs standard storage tank water heaters. A tank water heater must regularly reheat the water it has stored to keep it at the right temperature as the water cools down from heat loss. A tankless water heater doesn’t store any water and only heats water when there’s demand for it. This means the water heater runs far less often and costs much less to run.
Con: Upfront Price
Tankless water heaters use advanced precision technology, and this makes them a more costly investment initially. Your current budget may not fit with the price tag of a tankless water heater, even considering the potential long-term savings.
Pro: Unlimited Hot Water
The idea of “unlimited” hot water is an exciting one for anybody who has had to deal with a lukewarm or cold shower in the morning because the rest of the household already depleted the hot water. A tankless water heater heats up water as needed, so there’s always hot water and no need to worry about running out.
Con: Demand Can Overwhelm
Although a tank water heater won’t run out of hot water, it can be overwhelmed by demand if multiple taps require hot water at the same time. This will lead to the water heater losing energy efficiency. This shouldn’t be a problem for a small household, but larger households may face issues.
Pro: Longevity
Storage tank water heaters undergo more strain over time because of their frequent energy use and the wear and tear on the tank. Tankless water heaters don’t have the same problems and will last longer. A tank water heater will last from 10–12 years, whereas a tankless water heater can last 20 or more.
Con: Hot Water Delay
Because a tank water heater keeps a heated supply ready to flow to the taps, there’s little delay from when a tap comes on and the water from it heats up. Tankless water heaters have a longer delay for the water to heat up, and not only does this add to wait time, it contributes to water waste.
Call our experts to learn more about your water heater choices—we’ll find the right model for you.
At Atlantic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning, Inc., “We Take Pride in Your Comfort!”