Tank-style water heaters are common in many households, but are they really the best choice for your house? They quickly run out of hot water in times of need, are far from energy-efficient, and may even cause some safety hazards. The better choices are the tankless water heaters.
On top of that, tank-style water heaters need frequent maintenance by a plumber to check everything according to a home plumbing checklist to keep them running properly, emptying the tank and washing everything due to rust and sediment is what an average owner of a tank water heater either needs to do themselves or pay for someone to do it for them. Another issue is that if you don’t completely insulate your water heater and its pipes the heat of it can damage its surroundings.
On the other hand, tankless water heaters (also known as instant water heaters or on-demand water heaters) have none of these issues and offer a cost-effective, space-efficient, and endless stream of hot water which is much more desirable in the long term. Tankless water heaters are generally your best option for residential plumbing if you’re considering replacing your current water heater
In this article, we describe in detail 4 reasons why you should consider investing in a tankless water heater.
1. Energy Efficiency of Tankless Water Heaters
Generic tank-style water heaters on average store 40- to 50- gallons of water while a burner constantly heats the water whether it’s being used or not, in this process a lot of thermal energy is wasted just to keep the water warm for when it’s going to get used.
Instead, tankless water heaters only produce hot water when you want to use it, therefore significantly lowering your energy usage and effectively lowering your utility bill. Research shows that tankless water heaters can be 24%-34% more energy-efficient than a common tank-style water heater, and that equates to on average saving 100$ on utility bills annually.
2. Life Expectancy of Tankless Water Heaters
On average tankless water heaters last for 15 to 20 years. In contrast, a common tank water heater lasts for an average of 10 years making instant water heaters an even more valuable addition to your household.
In addition, tankless water heaters offer a longer warranty period, some even going up to 20 years which is over the average lifespan of a tankless water heater, meaning that if something happens or you have any problems with your tankless water heater you rarely need to pay any additional expenses for repairs or replacements making this investment even more sensible.
In the event you have any problems with your tankless water heater, your vendor will most likely provide a professional plumber suited and geared with the best plumbing tools ready to deal with the problem at hand.
3. Tankless Water Heaters Are Compact
Tankless water heaters are commonly around the size of a small suitcase and are mounted on walls to take up even less space while tank-style water heaters are commonly cylinder-shaped, 60 inches tall and 20 inches in diameter.
Depending on the size of your house, the number of its residents, and the amount of your hot water usage, they can vary in size and power. Choosing the appropriate tankless water heater for your house is quite important when buying one.
If you purchase too small of a tankless water heater you will have the problem of your instant water heater not being able to produce enough hot water to your demand. However, if you decide to purchase one that is bigger than you need, you will have to pay extra while never using the tankless water heater to its capacity.
Contact a plumbing service around you and use their counseling so they can design a residential plumbing system best suited for your needs.
4. Tankless Water Heaters Are Safe
Unlike tankless water heaters, tank-style ones can pose a lot of dangers to your living space. Since they always store a significant amount of water on hand and as these water heaters are technologically dated, they do not have built-in safety valves which result in valve blockages or overheating which can cause an over-pressurized tank.
Having a large and pressurized container in your basement or garage isn’t safe and there have been reports of explosions that tear through walls and roofs and cause permanent damage to houses.
Another common risk with the safety of tank-style water heaters is that usually they are left in a basement or garage and forgotten about, given that an unmaintained water heater usually has leaks your house will slowly grow mold that can cause serious health hazards or even affect the structure of the house and make it unstable if left unnoticed.
Having a tankless water heater in your house is a very advantageous asset, understanding the benefits and correctly purchasing crucial home appliances can greatly increase the value of your home and even simplify your daily life.
