We're Hiring
Call Now
Book NowIt’s a common belief that tankless water heaters are an all-around superior option compared to traditional tank-equipped water heaters.
The belief rests on the fact that tankless water heaters warm water only when it is needed, delivering hot water on-demand while also potentially reducing energy costs. They’re also more compact and do not require as much setup.
Those factors, taken together with tankless water heaters being a newer technology relative to tank-based models, have led to many people taking the view that going tankless always represents an upgrade.
But does it, really? Let’s take a look at the benefits and disadvantages of tankless water heaters to see if they’re genuinely the all-around winner that people think they are.
Tankless Water Heater Benefits
Tankless water heaters are seen as modern, minimal, energy saving alternatives to the traditional tank water heater. There is a lot of new information about them, but that doesn’t mean you should abandon your tank water heater right away. Here are some of the core benefits to a tankless water heater.
They Save Space
Tankless water heaters are widely popular for their space-saving features. Traditional water heaters are large, bulky, and can be dangerous due to their temperature. You no longer need a room dedicated to your hot water heater. A tankless water heater is small enough to hang on the wall, which makes it an excellent option for those looking to maximize space in their homes.
These water heaters are tankless due to the way they heat water. Traditional water heaters heat large amounts of water slowly, and keep the water heated at all times. The water in the water tank is your reserve of hot water. When it runs low, your water can run cold.
Tankless water heaters only need to hold a small amount of water, because water is heated on demand. Tankless water heaters use a high burst of energy to heat your water as soon as you need it. The water simply passes through the tank and into your pipes. The tank does not house the water or keep it warm constantly, only when it’s needed.
They Can Be Very Energy Efficient
Tankless water heaters are said to be better for the environment because they do not require energy all of the time.
A traditional water heater uses 40,000-50,000 BTU of energy so that the water inside of it stays hot at all times. This can waste energy in the long run because you are paying for your water to stay warm even when it’s completely unused (like while you sleep, for example).
A tankless water heater, on the other hand, doesn’t use energy 24/7; it simply heats your water immediately when you need it. This saves money on electricity while simultaneously helping the environment by cutting down on your electric output.
The one downside that occurs is that a tankless water heater uses more energy all at once so that it can heat water on demand. Compared to the 40,000 to 50,000 BTU that a traditional heater uses, a tankless water heater can draw in up to 199,000 BTU while it’s actively heating water.
In some circumstances, this means that you end up using as much energy as you would with a tank-based water heater — sometimes even more.
They Typically Last For A Long Time
Tankless hot water heaters are an excellent investment. In general, the cost of a tankless hot water heater is slightly higher than a traditional tank water heater. However, tankless water heaters have a much longer life expectancy, lasting from 15-20 years. Whereas, the average regular gas water heater lasts between 6-8 years. You get nearly twice the lifespan out of a tankless hot water heater.
Your decision will ultimately depend on your own specific needs. If a short term solution is all that’s needed, either option is effective for your home. However, if you are looking to have your home for a long period of time, tankless hot water heaters will last nearly twice as long as their counterparts.
Tankless Water Heater Drawbacks
They Cost More Up Front
With their longevity and high efficiency, tankless water heaters may save you money in the long run, however, they often cost more initially compared to traditional water heaters.
To be fair, this is a general statement. It really depends on the style, model, and setup of the tankless water heater you want. Tankless water heater prices have been gradually coming down as the technology matures and more providers offer it as an option, and – in time – upfront pricing may be a non-factor when it comes to choosing between tank and tankless models.
They Aren’t Ideal For High-Usage Homes
The highly-touted efficiency of tankless water heaters only applies in certain situations. For homes that run multiple hot water fixtures simultaneously, or use hot water for long stretches throughout the day, a tankless heater might not be the best choice.
If multiple appliances need hot water, and a tankless water heater isn’t powerful enough to supply all of them with hot water, each appliance won’t perform as well. That can mean problems like dishes that aren’t fully clean or showers where occasional portions of cold water get through. Yikes!
Now, tankless water heaters can be set up to operate in parallel so that they can provide an increased volume of hot water — but that also means increased power usage, so what’s gained in utility is arguably lost in efficiency.
On the efficiency side, a tankless water heater that’s running frequently defeats the purpose of switching to a tankless system in the first place. With energy consumption around 4x higher than a traditional water heater, a tankless water heater running for long periods of the day can actually produce a *higher* power bill.
They Only Work When The Power Is On
Your tankless water heater still runs on energy, and it uses much larger amounts of energy in order to heat your water immediately, rather than at a constant rate. In the event of a power surge or outage, you will also lose your hot water.
You may be thinking that a warm shower isn’t the first thing you’d want in a power outage, so this is a minor con to the tankless water heater, but if there is a blackout for long periods of time, this could become problematic. By comparison, a 100% gas powered traditional water heater can continue to provide hot water during power disruptions.
Tank water heaters keep water warm 24/7, so in the event of a power outage, there will still be hot water for several days. Even if the tank water heater can’t continue to use energy to keep the water warm, there is already hot water for a period of time.
Should You Make The Switch?
If your current water heater is getting old, or you notice changes in its effectiveness, it might be time to get a new one. If you were happy with the make and model of your old water heater, see if you can simply get it repaired before seeking to install a new one. Replacing old parts is often all you need to do, it is a cost effective and relatively stress-free process. Instead of replacing your water heater altogether.
If you are moving or live in a newer home, there is a chance that you have a tankless water heater already. The best thing to keep in mind when thinking of switching water heaters is to pick what works for you.
If you and other members of your household don’t use large amounts of hot water on a daily basis, a tankless water heater might be a good idea. Keep in mind the pros as well as the cons.
Getting a new tankless water heater depends on your needs. If you want to save space and conserve slightly more energy, it is a good option. If you have several people living in a home and you run multiple appliances at once, a tank water heater may still be a better option.
Looking for an expert recommendation?
If you’re still not sure which option is right for you, our experts would be glad to help you make a selection that’s right for your home.
We’ve installed hundreds of water heaters in local homes, so we can recommend a model based on your household’s size and hot water usage habits. It’s completely free and there’s no obligation, so if you’d like to get in touch with us, just call (604) 879-1415 or send us a message online.