What to Know Before Choosing a Tankless Water Heater for Your Home

A quality hot water system installation will ensure you get enough hot water for your daily household use but with the many different types and sizes of water heaters available on the market, choosing the right hot water unit for your needs can be a confusing thing.

All types of water heaters fall into two main categories: storage water heaters and tankless water heaters. Of the two categories of water heaters, tankless versions are the newer water heating technology. But is newer better when it comes to hot water systems?

Here's what you should know before choosing a tankless water heater for your home.    

Tankless hot water systems don't feature a tank

True to their name, tankless water heaters don't have a storage tank because they provide hot water only when it is needed. This explains why these hot water units are sometimes referred to as demand-type or on-demand water heaters.

Tankless hot water units are great for efficiency

Tankless water heaters typically run more efficiently than tank-type units of the same size and fuel type. These water heating systems generally have lower operating and energy costs than comparable tank-type versions because they only use energy when hot water is needed. 

Tankless hot water units typically outlast their conventional tank-type equivalents

Tankless water heaters typically last longer than comparable storage water heaters, as indicated by their longer warranties. No hot water tank means the lifespan of your water heating system won't be affected by how well you maintain the tank.

Tankless water heaters cost more than comparable conventional tank-based water heaters

As with any advanced technology, tankless hot water systems require a higher initial investment compared to conventional storage water heating versions. The good news is that a tankless water heater can pay for itself quickly due to the longer lifespan and long-term savings on operating costs. 

Tankless hot water units are a space-saving option

This is largely attributable to the omission of a hot water tank in the design of tankless systems. No hot water tank means you don't have to worry about finding enough space for tank installation.

Although tankless water heaters offer many great advantages, they may not be suitable for your home if you have a large family that uses several gallons of water at the same time. A hot water system design and installation professional can help you determine if going tankless with your hot water needs is the right choice for your home.


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