The adoption rate of residential tankless water heaters is growing at approximately 10% per year, a trend the industry predicts will continue. Homeowners considering this home improvement should be aware of both the advantages and the potential disadvantages of tankless water heaters.
Pro: Energy Incentives and Savings
In the average U.S. home, a tankless water heater uses 24% to 34% less energy than its traditional storage-based counterpart. That can result in savings of over $100 a year for many households. It’s better for the environment as it reduces your household carbon footprint. There are also rebates and tax credits that can help offset the initial investment.
Con: High Initial Investment
Even with energy incentives, the initial investment can be dramatically higher than a traditional installation. The average homeowner can expect to pay twice as much, which is typically an extra $1,000 at least. Older houses can require plumbing system upgrades, and you may not recoup those investments until your second tankless water heater. There are also added costs in large houses, such as recirculating pumps and point-of-use water heater stations.
Pro: Virtually Unlimited Hot Water
With all water heaters, professional sizing is key to minimizing your up-front and long-term costs. With a well-sized on-demand water heater, you’ll enjoy practically endless hot water. That’s because a tankless water heater heats water on demand. A traditional water heater can run out of hot water, at which point you have to wait for it to recover.
Con: Potentially Slower Hot Water Delivery
In a well-configured storage-based water heating setup, hot water delivery is practically instant. That isn’t necessarily the case with a tankless system. While recirculating pumps and other upgrades mitigate the issue, they don’t overcome it entirely. In a large house with a singular tankless system, wait times of several seconds or more aren’t unusual.
Pro: Small Installation Footprint
Tankless water heaters don’t take up much room at all. Many homeowners install them in their garages or even attics. In some climates, outdoor installation is an option. If you currently have a water heater closet, you can repurpose it.
Con: Hard Water Concerns
While hard water affects all water heaters, it’s particularly notable with tankless models. With hard water, you may need professional descaling multiple times a year. Most experts also recommend investing in hard water protection, which will increase your costs. An anti-scale device for the water heater is a targeted solution while you can install a point-of-entry water softener for whole-house protection.
Whether a tankless water heater is right for you depends on your home and budget. If you’re interested, consider an in-home consultation during which you can explore the pros and cons in greater detail. When you need tankless water heater services in Athens, GA, contact Jordan Air.
