Should I Get A Tankless Water Heater?

Should I Get A Tankless Water Heater?

You’ve probably seen a huge water tank in your garage, attic, or basement. Most homes are equipped with this type of water heater, its primary purpose being to provide hot water for your home. However, you’ve probably experienced their downsides — for instance, waiting for the water to heat up again after a family member takes a long shower or soak in the bathtub.

For people looking for a more compact, efficient system, the Southern Air team recommends looking into purchasing a tankless water heater! They offer the same amount of hot water as a traditional heater, all while lowering utility costs and being energy efficient.

Tankless Vs. Storage Water Heaters

Before we delve into the pros and cons of tankless water heaters, it’s essential to understand the difference between storage heaters and tankless.

Traditional Water Heater

This type of water heater essentially functions as a storage tank for all the hot water in your home. Storage tanks can usually hold 30-60 gallons of water, depending on the household size and how much hot water a homeowner desires to use. The average home has a water heater that holds about 50 gallons of water.

To figure out how much hot water you and your family use, you can enlist the help of your plumber to help with calculations.

Storage water tanks use electricity, natural gasses, oil or propane to continuously heat the water in the tank, ideally allowing it to be available at all times. However, this also means you’re paying for hot water 24/7, even when you aren’t using it.

Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters, also known as on-demand water heaters, do not have a tank, nor do they store hot water. Instead, water runs through the unit and is heated up through a heat exchanger to increase the temperature rapidly. This process is done with the help of electricity, natural gas or propane.

Because tankless water heaters only heat up water when you need it, they don’t require 24/7 energy to keep a tank of water hot. These heaters vary in size — the average being about 2 feet tall and over a foot wide. Because of their small size, they can be mounted on walls and fit into more discreet areas of your home.

Tankless Water Heater Pros

• They’re energy efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tankless water heaters are 24%-34% more efficient than storage tank heaters. Essentially, they use less energy to get the job done.
• They save space. Storage water heaters are massive, heavy units that require adequate storage space. A tankless water heater eliminates the need for more room. Think of a suitcase-sized unit vs. a storage tank that could be up to the size of a grown adult.
• They save money. Because tankless water heaters require less energy than a traditional heater, this lowers the costs of your utility bills. This is a great perk, given that water is a considerable portion of your monthly bill.

Tankless Water Heater Cons

• They’re expensive. Tankless water heaters cost more for installation and the unit than traditional water heaters. However, they pay-off in the long run for most households since they have a longer life span and lower utility bills.
• There could be a power outage. If your tankless water heater relies on electricity to run, no hot water will be available during an outage. There may be better choices if you live in an area prone to power outages.
• They limit hot water to your appliances. If you need more hot water than your tankless heater can generate, the temperature will fluctuate since the heater is trying to provide heat for multiple devices simultaneously.

Louisiana Water Heater Services

Are you looking for professional HVAC and plumbing services? Southern Air has your back. Our team consists of licensed technicians and friendly customer service to ensure all your needs are met, not just whatever needs fixing. To learn more about what we offer, give us a call today.