The Pros & Cons of a Tankless Water Heater
Thursday, April 28th, 2016
As a construction company, we often help our clients decide on new appliances during the renovation or building of their home, including water heaters. Like everything else, water heaters age over time and in doing so, their functionality declines. While the conventional storage water heater has been the most popular water heating system for the home, more and more homeowners are choosing tankless (or demand-type) water heater for its greater benefits.
Whether you’re building a new home, remodeling an older one, or just shopping for a new water heating system, this blog post will help you decide if going tankless is right for you.
Pro: Energy Efficiency
Tankless water heaters are 24-34% more energy-efficient than conventional storage water heaters, saving a typical family $100 or more per year.
Pro: Saves Space
Tankless water heaters are small and don’t take up much space, which means your square footage won’t be sacrificed for an eyesore. They can be installed most anywhere, even outside.
Pro: Hot Water, All the Time
Tankless water heaters heat water heat water directly. When you turn your hot water tap on, cold water travels through a pipe into the unit where a gas burner or an electric element heats the water and then continues out your faucet where it flows out. You’ll never need to wait for a storage tank to fill up with enough hot water for dish washing, laundry, or back-to-back showers.
Pro: Long Lifespan
Most tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of more than 20 years. They are manufactured with easily replaceable parts, which can extend their life even more. When a conventional storage water heater dies, however, the entire unit must be replaced. Unfortunately, this will probably happen every 10-15 years.
Con: High Initial Cost
Because of their long term value, tankless water heaters cost between $800 and $1,150 (plus installation), depending on the model. Conventional storage water heaters are between $400 and $750 (plus installation). If you’re replacing a conventional storage water heater with a tankless one, you’ll also need to consider the cost of retrofitting, which will add to the start up expense.
If you can afford the upfront investment, a tankless water heating system will pay for itself in the long run. Going tankless is an especially good choice for big families who tend to use hot water on a consistent basis and in larger quantities.
If you’re replacing the water heater you installed 10-15 years ago, chances are, you might want to consider remodeling that shower you just stepped out of. McCamy Construction is Knoxville’s top choice for building and remodeling. Check out our photo gallery of newly renovated bathrooms for a small taste of what we can do for you and then contact us for a quote.
