Should You Consider a Tankless Water Heater?

You’ve heard about tankless hot water heaters and how they supply an endless flow of hot water. You never have to worry about the water turning cold after a teenager drains the tank; you don’t have to worry about coordinating showers when out-of-town guests visit your house, and you no longer have to “time” the dishwasher around everybody’s showers.

With a tankless water heater, you get more storage space, and you save money on your energy bill. So, with an aging water heater, should you replace it with a tankless model? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, gas-fired tankless water heaters save about $108 annually over a traditional gas water heater. Meanwhile, an electric model will save you about $44 for the year. Is it time to make the switch? Not so fast.

Tankless Water Heaters Cost a Lot More

While tankless water heaters should save you about $108 each year, that savings does not offset the fact that the unit themselves can cost up to three times more than traditional electric and gas storage heaters. For example, an electric model can cost less than $1,000, whereas a gas-powered tankless model can cost as much as $3,000.

Additionally, not every home is properly-equipped for a tankless water heater. If home runs on electricity only, they may need to upgrade their home’s electrical system. If your house is not adaptable to a tankless water heater, then it could cost thousands to have a professional electrician come out and rewire your house.

What Are the Benefits?

There are definite benefits to having a tankless water heater. For starters, the tankless models certainly take less space and they come with longer warranties. If you’re looking for the most “environmentally-friendly” option and you’re not concerned about the cost of the unit, tankless models are better for the environment than traditional gas and electric units. Tankless water heaters usually come with a 15-year warranty, whereas standard units typically come with a 6-year warranty.

For more information about electric, gas, and tankless water heaters, contact us to schedule a service call with a Cedar Park plumber!