Tankless Water Heater Installation Pros and Cons
Tankless water heaters come with several great advantages, but is one right for you and your family? Here are some pros and cons to get you thinking about whether tankless water heater installation in Seattle, WA, is the right call for your residence.
Advantages
- Greater efficiency. Unlike traditional water heaters that rely on storage tanks, tankless water heaters don’t need to continually heat a reserve of water at a specific temperature. Tankless water heaters only heat on demand; there’s no constant heating in the background. Electric tankless heaters tend to be more efficient than gas counterparts, but they’re both great options for cutting utility bills.
- Space. If you grew up with, or have, a traditional water heater with a tank, you’re probably familiar with the little storage closet or room where it lives in exile. Tankless water heaters are much more compact. Without the need to store a large water tank, you can take back valuable storage space and use it as you will.
- Continuous hot water. If you’ve ever caught the last shower after several other housemates, you’re familiar with bathing in lukewarm or even cold water. Tankless heaters heat on demand, so as long as there’s a shower running, it’ll have hot water.
- Longevity. Traditional models with storage tanks tend to last between 8 and 12 years before the end of their lifespan. Tankless water heaters can stick around much longer, think 15 to 20 years of continuous service.
Disadvantages
- Limited usage. If you’ve got a fairly large family or lots of roommates, you could struggle to generate enough hot water for everyone. If one person is showering, another is running the dishwasher, and someone else is trying to run hot water to shave, your tankless heater could run out of bandwidth.
- Upfront cost. Getting a new tankless water heater installed or replacing a traditional storage tank model comes with an investment. You’ll end up saving down the line, but the upfront price tag can be on the higher side.
- Supply challenges. If you’re getting a gas tankless water heater installed, you’ll need a connection to a natural gas supply. Electric tankless heaters also usually need special circuits installed.
Tankless Water Heater Repair Vs. Replacement
If your tankless water heater is on the fritz, it can be tough to decide on the right course of action. Should you shell out the cash for repairs, or go all in and fully replace the unit? Here are a few quick guidelines to make the choice easier.
- Repair cost. Minor repairs aren’t a major concern and shouldn’t have you thinking about tankless water heater replacement. However, if you’re facing a major repair bill, do a quick bit of math to see if it’s worth it. If the overall cost of your repair is more than 50% of the cost of a brand new heater, you’re better off getting a replacement.
- Performance. Sure, you can repair a tankless water heater and keep it running for a while, but if it’s not meeting your performance expectations, why go on? If you regularly notice a lack of hot water when you need it, or water just isn’t reaching your preferred temperature, going for a replacement might be the call.
- Age. Your tankless water heater may be a stalwart companion, but once it nears 15 years of service, a swap could be in order. You’ll also enjoy the benefits of new features and energy efficiency measures in a newer unit.
- Utility bills. Playing off the last point, aging tankless water heaters will start to malfunction over time, often having to work harder to keep up. As more effort is required to maintain regular function, you’ll see energy bills start to climb. There’s no point in paying extra in the long run; swap for a replacement if your bills start to rise.
- Repeated repairs. A tune-up or minor fix every now and then is totally reasonable. Small repairs shouldn’t mean the end of your current tankless water heater. However, if your repair cycle is shortening and you’re having to reach out for help regularly, a replacement may be better for the long haul (and your wallet).
Frequently Asked Questions About Tankless Water Heaters
If you’ve got questions about tankless water heater installation in Seattle, WA, we’ve got answers. Here are a few common questions from other homeowners.
Is it true that tankless water heaters provide unlimited hot water?
Sort of, tankless water heaters can indeed feed hot water to your hot shower for as long as you want. Thanks to not needing a storage tank full of pre-heated water to function, tankless heaters continually heat your water on demand. If other members of your home start to pull hot water to different areas of the house at the same time, you could run into an issue. They’re great for focused water heating tasks, but pulling them in multiple directions really cuts into their performance.
Does hard water negatively affect my tankless water heater?
Yes, hard water is a challenge for tankless water heaters. Scaling and mineral buildup can lower performance and water-heating efficiency. Installing water softeners and regularly flushing your system can help prevent the negative effects of hard water.
Is it easy to replace a storage tank water heater with a tankless option?
It can be, though your home may need upgrades or modifications to get your new tankless water heater working properly. Gas connections may need to be made, or your home’s electrical panel could need an upgrade to handle the new appliance. Venting may also need to be looked at and changed to safely run new appliances.
If you’ve still got questions, reach out to South West, and we’ll guide you through tankless water heater installation in Seattle, WA.
