Cold showers are for the birds, and they may not even like them. And if you are in the market for a new water heater, you have some choices to make. You may be wondering whether tankless water heaters are worth the investment. The truth is that it is just not that simple.
Let Flow Pros help you learn why a tankless is worth it and the costs associated with the investment. Then you can make up your own mind on whether to take the leap to a tankless water heater or not.
The Facts About Tankless Water Heaters
Let’s face it… they are more money upfront. Tankless water heaters range around $2,000 to $3,000, while traditional water heaters with a tank range from $600 to $1,500. Ouch! We know. But keep reading before you jump to a decision.
There are considerations to purchasing a tankless water heater. It is worth it to calculate your home’s water usage, the value of long-term savings, and the amount of space you need for the unit.
What is the Demand for Hot Water in Your Household?
If you want instant hot water that never runs out, a tankless water heater is your solution. You will never again need to worry if someone takes a long shower that you will have enough hot water. That dreaded scream from the shower turning cold is over!
However, the caveat is that it is not unlimited hot water. Tankless water heaters, unfortunately, cannot withstand the pressure of the washing machine, dishwasher, and a hot shower all running at the same time. This is called the flow rate, and it is a limitation of the tankless unit.
All that to say, the tankless may be best for smaller families and houses. For instance, if you are a large athletic family, your usage of the dishwasher, washing machine, and showers will be more than that of a smaller family unit.
Do you have space for a tank?
The clear benefit to a tankless is the size of the unit. Tanks are large and store hot water continuously being heated, which is why you can “run out” of hot water. The tankless is a very small box that mounts to the wall. So, if space is a premium where you live, tankless would be the best option.
What are the LONG-TERM Savings?
You could no doubt go into a real state of sticker shock when presented with a quote for a tankless water heater. To understand why they cost more, you need to know the unit’s technology and the cost savings over time.
These tankless water heaters heat water on demand rather than storing water and keeping it hot continuously. Hot water on demand results in energy efficiency of around 25% to 35% more than the tank water heater. The efficiency percentages decrease with the amount of water consumed; however, the savings still exist.
Another factor making the tankless water heater a better choice is the water heater’s life span. Tankless will last 5 to 10 years longer than the tank version. This longer life makes the upfront cost a better deal.
Warranties for Tankless Water heaters
The fact is that tankless water heaters carry more extended warranties. The long lifespan of a tankless unit is up to around 20 years. In most cases, if anything goes wrong with the water heater in those 20 years, the homeowner will not have to pay for the repair.
Other Cost Savings Options
If you are considering a tankless water heater and want to know your other options to receive cost and energy savings, here are a couple of choices.
- Solar Heating is available. It requires sunshine and panels on the roof. Again, the initial coast can be a shock, but the savings over time will help.
- Heat Pumps are also an option. They have holding tanks, like a tank water heater, but the pump on top uses warm air to heat the water. It also saves you money over time.
- Changing water usage habits will assist in your choice to be more efficient. Shorter showers and low flow fixtures will help.
Decision Time
At Flow Pros, we know you will make the best decision for your home. Furthermore, we want to be the company to make that transition easy. So, if you are in the market for a new water heating system, contact the friendly professionals at Flow Pros to discuss all of the available options. We will go over all of the choices, cost savings, the energy efficiency of each system, and help you make an informed decision.
Reach out to the experts at Flow Pros and schedule your consultation today.