5 Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters, or on-demand water heaters, have risen in popularity in the past several years. Of course, like every appliance, the unit has its advantages and disadvantages. One downside that most people cite is they cost a bit more than regular water heaters. However, the benefits of the tankless water heater vs. tank water heaters far outweigh the initial cost.

It’s important to talk to a professional about the size of your family and your average water usage to determine if one or several tankless water heaters are in your best interest.

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless hot water heaters provide hot water as it’s needed. They don’t store water, so you don’t heat water that’s not being used, like at night or when you’re at work. They are mounted near the water output, so there isn’t a lot of heat loss during operation.

How Do Tankless Water Heaters Work?

Cold water from the tap connects directly to a heating unit. The heating unit has an ingoing and outgoing heating element to warm the water. Once that water is heated, it goes directly to the faucet (or another outflow device). Water is never stored and is constantly heated on demand.

Electric tankless water heaters produce two to five gallons per minute, while their gas counterparts have a slightly higher output.

Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

There are so many reasons why more and more people are going for tankless water heaters. 

• Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is one of the top reasons homeowners switch to tankless water heaters. The amount of savings in smaller homes can be as much as 34% or higher. Larger homes may not save as much overall, but the savings can still reach as high as 24%. 

• Lifespan

Tankless water heater lifespan is a significant benefit. Standard tank water heaters last around ten years. They may last longer but become much less efficient with age. Mineral deposits build up, blocking the elements and forcing the heater to work harder to produce the same amount of hot water.

Tankless models have a standard lifespan of around 20 years. Homeowners looking to sell their homes soon may not be interested in the long term, but you can bet that potential buyers will see tankless water heaters as a benefit.

Tankless water heaters also need less maintenance than tank heaters. Of course, if you have hard water, then it’s still a good idea to have yearly maintenance performed on your unit.

• Speed (Hot Water On Demand)

Gone are the times of having to wait to take your shower after someone else just finished. Tankless models heat water as needed, so it doesn’t matter if the dishwasher or washing machine just ran. You can hop in the shower and enjoy the hot water instantly.

• Unit Size

Are you sick of that large water heater sitting in a closet or taking up a large amount of space in the basement? Some tankless water heaters are as small as a larger shoebox, and they can be mounted on a wall. These heaters open up space for other items in the closet and allow you to do much more at your basement level.

If you are looking at remodeling the basement, your design can exclude that large tank water heater. It allows for more open space, is easier to work around, and provides the same level of hot water as your current heater, if not better!

• Flexibility

Tankless water heaters can be used in several different types of configurations. A whole-home tankless heater is perfect for smaller homes that don’t run the shower, dishwasher, and washing machine simultaneously. Larger homes may require two tankless heaters connected in parallel to reach the same level of water usage.

Smaller units can be placed under the sink, laundry room, or hot tub room to accommodate specific appliances. In fact, if you decide to keep your current tank water heater, you can still mount tankless water heaters to accommodate particular appliances.

Tankless Water Heater Disadvantages

Tankless water heaters are a significant improvement to any home. Although they may cost up to 50% more in initial costs, they also last twice as long and save on yearly utility bills. Other disadvantages include:

• Pilot light (gas-fired tankless heaters)
• Extra costs associated with gas-fired units ( due to thicker piping and ventilation)
• Insufficient water supply for high demand homes or large families

Tankless water heaters don’t have a lot of disadvantages, but the ones they do may be a deciding factor, depending on how much you’re willing to spend upfront.

Where to Get a Tankless Water Installation in Boise, ID

TSS Home Comfort is a leading tankless water installation professional serving the Boise and Treasure Valley areas for over 35 years. When you call TSS Home Comfort, you can expect your project will be handled promptly, safely, and within budget.

We offer 24/7 service and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our work. We do extensive background checks on our employees and verify they are passionate about delivering the best customer service available.

Call TSS Home Comfort today for all of your tankless water heater, air conditioning, furnace, and air purifying needs.