Are you sick of that giant water heater tank in your garage or closet? Tank heaters are large, bulky, noisy, run out of hot water, and can use a ton of energy to keep the water in your home warm. Not to mention the water also has to flow a long way through a large network of pipes to get where you need it to go, so you may wind up wasting a considerable amount of water waiting for it to get there.
As a result, many people are turning to tankless water heater systems, which heat water on-demand and immediately send it where it needs to go rather than store it in a tank where it can lose heat. There are lots of advantages to this, but it’s not always the ideal solution for most people. Here are a few of the pros and cons.
Cost
In the long run, a tankless water heater can actually save you a good chunk of money. By using less water and energy to heat that water, a tankless system can save you a bundle on your utility bills. However, their overhead cost is significantly higher than a traditional tank system—up to three times higher for that matter, and that’s if your home already has the wiring and electrical setup necessary to run a tankless system. If not, the electrical work can cost as much as another $5,000 to complete! That’s no small investment for a homeowner who may be on a shoestring budget and looking for ways to cut down on a few bills.
Capacity
Tankless water heaters are awesome because their capacity is infinite: as long as you can keep feeding water into them, they can keep heating them. No more worrying about the hot water heater running dry every morning when everybody is trying to jump in the shower to start their day; everybody will be able to enjoy the same piping hot water whenever they need it. However, if you find that you’re rarely running out of hot water, is a tank-style heater really all that bad? In fact, if your hot water heater as it is supplies you with more than enough hot water, there’s really no reason to spend so much money on making the switch over to a tankless system.
Longevity
One of the biggest gripes about water heaters is that they last roughly 10 to 12 years on average before they spring a leak or simply wear out. A water heater that does spring a leak can be extremely damaging to your home, so there’s always a bit of an assumed risk associated with them. Tankless heaters don’t carry that risk, as they usually last as long as 20 years or more before needing replaced. But again, with the larger investment required, the question becomes whether or not it’s worth it to make this purchase or simply go for a little while longer with an older tank-style heater that costs less and gets the job done.
Whether you’re interested in installing a single-room tankless heater, whole-home tankless system, or even just a traditional tank-style water heater, the skilled Bartlett plumbers at Smith’s Plumbing Services can offer you quality workmanship and outstanding customer service.
Call us today at (901) 290-1110 to request an appointment or speak with one of our team members about your tankless water heater installation options.