You’re taking a luxurious hot shower and you’ve just lathered up and put shampoo in your hair when suddenly the water turns lukewarm, then cold. Yikes! That’ll wake you up!
If you’re tired of running out of hot water, especially with a large family, there is a way to avoid it. Enter the tankless water heater! Offering endless hot water, these small energy-efficient water heaters might be the answer you are looking for.
Our team at Integrity Home Solutions outlines the benefits!
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
As the name suggests, tankless water heaters are, well, tankless. They provide hot water right when you need it, making them more energy-efficient than traditional storage tank water heaters.
Cold water travels through the tankless unit and is heated using gas or electricity, providing instant hot water that will last until you turn off the tap.
Because they offer instant hot water, they are also known as demand-type or instantaneous water heaters.
The Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are small but mighty and offer many benefits including:
#1. Energy Efficiency
Because tankless water heaters heat only as much as you need, they are more energy-efficient.
Traditional water heaters heat water continuously and the tank sits with hot water at the ready when someone in your home needs it. This is fine, but if several people take a shower in a row, or someone takes a shower at the same time as running a dishwasher, there might not be enough hot water in the tank for everyone.
The buildup of minerals at the bottom of the tank can also cause it to be less effective over time.
#2. Lower Utility Bills
Because tankless water heaters are energy-efficient, they can lower your energy usage, helping you save hundreds of dollars every year.
Tankless water heaters can conserve around 27-50% more energy than traditional models.
That’s a lot of energy savings!
#3. Plentiful Hot Water
With a traditional unit, the entire supply of hot water for your household is stored in the tank. When the hot water runs out, it can take a while to replenish the hot water.
Small tankless units can serve every hot water demand in your home. Whether you need hot water in the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room, your tankless unit will have you covered!
#4. Extended Lifespan
On average, tankless water heaters will last five to ten years longer than their counterparts. With proper maintenance, you can enjoy the benefits of your tankless unit for up to 20 years!
Typically, traditional units only last about eight to twelve years.
#5. Space Savings
Most conventional water heater tanks have a capacity of 40 to 60 gallons, depending on their size. Tankless water heaters will occupy much less room in your home because they are typically 24 inches broad and 60 inches tall.
Further, due to their size, tankless units are usually installed on a wall, freeing up a lot of floor space in the laundry room or garage. Nice!
#6. Less Maintenance
Traditional water heater tanks should be inspected and serviced every year. Tankless units generally don’t require as much maintenance. They can function optimally for four or five years without maintenance, but this will depend largely on the quality of your water supply.
In areas with hard water like Tampa, an annual cleaning for tankless heaters is highly recommended. Cleaning and flushing removes the mineral buildup that forms around the heating elements.
Are There Any Cons to Tankless Water Heaters?
Though there are many benefits to installing tankless water heaters, there are a few cons:
- Power Outages: Because tankless water heaters, even gas models, need electricity to run, if the power goes out, so will your hot water.
- Upfront Costs: The initial price tag for a tankless water heater may leave many people thinking twice, but the energy savings will far outweigh these costs over time.
- Limited Hot Water for Multiple Locations: Even though tankless water heaters can provide a lot of hot water on demand, they might struggle to keep up if you’re operating the dishwasher, washer, and shower all at once. Consider installing multiple units or spreading out the use of appliances that need hot water to get around this problem.
Read More > Don’t Skip These Tankless Water Heater Tasks
Upgrade Your Home with a Tankless System
A continuous supply of hot water means that you can avoid fights for who gets to take the first shower, and you won’t have to worry about being iced out in the middle of your nightly routine!
Plus, since they are energy efficient, installing a tankless water heater will help you save money on your utility bills. Sounds like a win-win overall to us!
Say goodbye to cold showers and call our 5-star rated plumbing team at Integrity Home Solutions for an installation quote today!
