Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It?

Believe it or not, but heating water amounts to 30% of the home utility bill in most houses. So is it time to switch to a better option? How about tankless water heaters? Normally, traditional water heaters have a tank with water stored in it.

The heater continuously heats water, even while you are sleeping, eating, or out of the house. In short, it heats water even when not required, unless you turn off the thermostat, and that's how utility costs increase.

The concept of tankless water heaters hasn't sunk in yet, and many are confused if they are worth the investment. Let's discuss some more on this aspect.

In a normal household, most have a storage water heater, which consists of a cylindrical storage tank of 20 to 100 gallons, wherein water is stored and continuously heated for use. But in the process, your heater is consuming extra energy and unnecessary space.

Moreover, there are hassles such as cleaning the tank and all that. Enter tankless water heaters. As the name suggests, they do not have a storage tank and provide hot water instantly. Hence, they are also called instantaneous, continuous flow, in-line, flash, on-demand or instant-on water heaters.

The working or mechanism of these heaters is simple. When there is a demand for hot water, that is when you turn the faucet on for warm water. The water flows through the turbine senses and starts the heating process.

The turbine senses gauge the temperature of the incoming water, then checks what is the temperature required (i.e as set on the thermostat), and finally calculates the difference between the two temperatures.

Thus, you get the desired water temperature to enjoy your bathing experience. When you turn off the water, the heater shuts down on a temporary mode and waits until the next call for hot water.

✔ The most favorite and popular advantage of these heaters is that they never ever run out of hot water.
✔ They save energy, i.e they are both energy-efficient and space efficient.
✔ You get lower energy bills in case of electric tankless water heaters.

✔ These water heaters cost less, and moreover, the tankless water heater tax credit is an attractive scheme to switch on to the use of these.
✔ They produce more hot water as compared to traditional water heaters.
✔ You get hot water on demand, just at the twist of the faucet.

✔ You don't have to worry about cleaning the tank unlike traditional type of heaters.
✔ These water heaters come in all sizes and shapes to suit your bathroom decor and slip into the right space.
✔ Scalding of water is prevented in case of tankless water heaters. Hence, they are efficient with regards to personal safety.

✘ Tankless water heaters, when compared to regular storage-tank type water heaters, cost $500 to $700 more.
✘ They require or rather might require more care and maintenance as compared to the traditional water heaters.
✘ They are sensitive to water pressure, and take a little time to gauge how much of an increase in temperature is required.

✘ In case of a gas run tankless water heater, proper ventilation is required.
✘ You will lose hot water in case there is a power outage, but this occurs only with electric tankless water heaters.
✘ The installation costs of these heaters are 2 to 4 times higher than that of tank-type water heaters.

Now, it is up to you to decide if tankless water heaters are worth it or not. I have put forth all that you wanted to know, compare it with your requirements, and bear in mind, the cons (some you can even avoid), and then decide if you want to switch to a tankless water heater or if the traditional water heater serves your purpose better.

If I were asked, these heaters are easy, convenient, simple, energy-efficient and right size that fit anywhere. It might seem costly, but you have tax rebates, and it is a one time investment to enjoy endless tons of hot water, to enhance your bathing experience!