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There are many factors to be considered before deciding to buy a tankless water heater. First of all, what does tankless mean? A tankless water heater is an on-demand water heater that, instead of holding hot water in a tank as traditional units do, they only operate when hot water is being used. There are currently three different mechanisms of energy that fuel tankless units: electric, gas, and liquid petroleum. Because of the low cost of energy in the U.S. in comparison to other countries, tankless water heaters have not hit mainstream in the U.S. as quickly as they have in places like Europe. However, tankless systems are becoming more and more popular. When considering switching to a tankless water heater, potential buyers should keep in mind some important advantages and disadvantages of this type of system before making their decision.
ADVANTAGES to Tankless Water Heaters
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Endless Hot Water:The most obvious advantage is that tankless water heaters provide endless hot water. A tanked hot water heater will have 40 gallons, and once you have used that 40 gallons, it takes up to 2 hours to heat another 40-gallon batch up to ideal temperature. This can pose problems for large families. For instance, if a family has a common 2.4 gallon-per-minute showerhead, it provides only about 17 minutes of pure hot water before the water heater needs to recuperate. Of course, mixed with cold water, the hot water may last a little longer, maybe up to half an hour. Either way, this time period is not ideal for multiple person use.
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Improved Energy Cost: 20% of household energy costs are due to heating water. A tankless water heater decreases this cost significantly because it only heats water when it is used. There is no reserve water constantly being heated in preparation for use as with a traditional water heater. Depending upon whether you have an electric or gas traditional water heater, the energy cost can vary. A 40-gallon traditional electric water heater is estimated to cost $492 per year, whereas an electric tankless water heater is estimated to cost just $258 per year as show on the following website: http://www.eemaxinc.com/resenergysave.htm. The energy cost going from a traditional gas water heater to a tankless gas water heater is less dramatic, but the tankless option remains less expensive. A 40-gallon traditional gas water heater is estimated to cost $281 per year while a gas-tankless costs about $223 per year.
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Longevity of Use: Simply put, tankless water heaters just last longer. Traditional water heaters usually have a life-expectancy of 7-15 years whereas tankless units can last 20+ years.
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Size of Unit: Tankless water heaters take up less space than traditional ones and, due to their smaller size, can be installed in a variety of convenient locations.
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Tax-rebate: In an effort to conserve energy nationwide, during 2009, the government offers a tax rebate for specific tankless water heaters. For further information on the particular brands related to this offer, visit the following website: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index. As quoted on Energy Star's website, “water heaters with an energy factor of at least 0.82 or a thermal efficiency of at least 90% meet the criteria for the tax credit.” Keep in mind the offer only applies to the installation of tankless gas, oil, and propane water heaters. There is currently no tax credit offered for electric tankless water heaters.
DISADVANTAGES to Tankless Water Heaters
High Cost: Like most other energy saving appliances the cost is higher. So it could take a number of years before the energy break even point is reached. To find out more about the break even point visit www.foreverhotwater.com. Unless you are planning on staying in the home for a number of years the tankless may not be for you. If a gas tankless is run, a larger gas line is necessary for the unit to function properly.
Number of faucets used: The very nature of the tankless is different. instead of running out of hot water too soon with a tank water heater, but being able to run any water in the house at the same time, the tankless water heater will allow as much hot water as you want over a period of time, yet if too many things are runing at the same time the tankless will split the hot water and become cold at another fixture. This problem is easily remedied by selecting the proper size and remembering not to overload the unit.
ELECTRIC vs GAS TANKLESS
Electric vs. Gas tankless: Many customers want to go tankless ask for an electric tankless water heater because they do not have a gas connection and although they also save in energy costs the tax credit does not apply to them. Electric tankless water heaters also have only about half the heating ablity of a gas tankless water heater. Meaning that if you could take 2 showers simultaneously with the gas unit the electric would only allow one shower. If someone else in the household used water while that shower was being used it may effect the temperature of the water of the person taking the shower. Consult with a professional to determine what the best option would be for you and your home.
Contact One Call Plumbing to evaluate your best options.
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