Tankless water heaters have become a popular choice in recent years, as people are looking for ways to save money on their energy bills.
While they do offer some benefits, tankless water heaters also have some downsides that should be considered before making a purchase.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the pros and cons of tankless water heaters so you can make an informed decision about whether or not they’re right for you.
The Benefits and Advantages of Tankless Water Heaters
There are several benefits of a tankless water heater, the most notable of which are:
1. Endless Hot Water For You & Your Family
If you have a tankless water heater, you’ll never have to worry about running out of hot water. This is because tankless water heaters heat water on demand, meaning they only use energy when you need hot water. This is in contrast to traditional storage tank water heaters, which preheat and store a large tank of water, even when you don’t need it.
2. Save Money on Your Gas Bills
Since tankless water heaters only use gas when you need hot water, they can help you save money on your energy bills. In fact, according to Energy.gov, you can save up to 34% on your water heating costs by switching to a tankless water heater.
3. You Will Have More Space in Your Home
Another benefit of tankless water heaters is that they are much smaller in size than traditional storage-tank water heaters. This means that you’ll have more space in your home, as tankless water heaters can be mounted on a wall or even outside.
4. Tankless Water Heater Have Double the Life Span
A great advantage of tankless water heaters is that they have a much longer lifespan than storage-tank water heaters. If we compare tankless water heater vs traditional water heater, the life span can be up to double.
On average, a tankless water heater will last about 20 years, while a traditional storage-tank water heater will only last 10–15 years. This means that you won’t have to replace your tankless water heater as often, which can save you money in the long run.
For more information about the life span of tankless water heaters, check out our article>> How long Does a Water Heater Last? Your Questions Answered
5. You Will Save Money With Rebates & Incentives
Since tankless water heaters are more energy-efficient than traditional storage-tank water heaters, you may be eligible for rebates and incentives from the state government or energy sectors.
For example, in British Columbia in Canada, you can get up to $1000 rebates from FortisBC, BC Hydro, and CleanBC when you install a condensing tankless water heater. This is to promote the use of energy-efficient appliances and help people save money on their energy bills.
The Disadvantages of Tankless Water Heaters
While there are several benefits to using a tankless water heater, there are also some downsides of a tankless water heater that should be considered:
1. Tankless Water Heaters Cost More to Install
The initial cost of installing a tankless water heater is higher than that of a traditional storage-tank water heater. This is because tankless water heaters are more complicated to install, and require special venting and gas lines.
Additionally, the price of tankless water heaters has been steadily rising in recent years due to their popular demand, making them even more expensive.
2. Inconsistent Temperatures
One downside of tankless water heaters is that they can have inconsistent water temperatures. This is due to the fact that tankless water heaters only heat water on demand, and the water temperature can vary depending on the flow rate.
In cases where there is a high demand for hot water (such as taking a shower and running the dishwasher at the same time), the water temperature can drop significantly.
If you have a high demand for hot water, such as in a large family home, you may need to purchase a larger tankless water heater to prevent the water temperature from fluctuating.
3. Can Take Longer to Deliver Hot Water
Another drawback of tankless water heaters is that they can take longer to deliver hot water than traditional storage-tank water heaters. This is because it takes time for the unit to heat up the cold water, and the flow rate can also affect the delivery time.
How to Find a Tankless Water Heater Contractor?
If you’re thinking of switching to a tankless water heater, it’s important to find a qualified contractor who can install the unit properly. Here are a few tips on how to find a reputable contractor:
1. Get Recommendations
One of the best ways to find a qualified contractor is to get recommendations from friends or family members. You can also ask your local hardware store for recommendations.
2. Do Your Research
If you search the keyword “tankless water heater contractor near me”, you can find a list of contractors in your area. You can also try the keyword “tankless water heater installation contractor in (your location)” to find more specific results.
3. Check Online Reviews
When you’ve narrowed down your prospect contractors, be sure to check online review sites for each of them. This will give you a better idea of the contractor’s quality of work and customer service. If there are more specific tankless water heater reviews websites in your country or region, be sure to check those as well.
4. Check the Contractor’s License & Certification
Be sure to check that the contractor is licensed and certified to install tankless water heaters. You can usually find this information on the contractor’s website or by contacting their office.
Conclusion
Tankless water heaters have several advantages over traditional storage-tank water heaters, including being more energy-efficient and having a longer lifespan. However, they also have some disadvantages, such as being more expensive to install and having inconsistent water temperatures.
With all of the information above, you can decide if a tankless water heater is right for your home. If you do decide to switch to a tankless water heater, be sure to find a qualified contractor who can install the unit properly.
If you are living in the Lower Mainland Canada and are in search of a water heater installation contractor, you can try to check us out. We at Your Guy Plumbing have been providing quality plumbing services in Greater Vancouver for more than decades. Our company has been highly rated and recommended by many of our happy customers. In fact, we got over a hundred 5/5 ratings on Google Reviews and Facebook.
We are licensed and certified to install all types of tankless water heaters. And our team of professional plumbers can help you choose the best unit that is suitable for your home. Give us a call today, and we’ll be happy to assist you.