Is a Tankless Water Heater the Right Choice for You?
Tankless water heaters are supposed to cut the average water heating bill by 10 to 20 percent when compared to water heater tanks. The reason for this is that when the warm water is sitting in the tank waiting to be used some of the heat is loss. With a tankless water heater design the water does not sit in a tank, so none of the heat is lost.
With a tankless water heater, you set the temperature to whatever your personal preference is and the water heater provides water at that temperature without having to store it in a tank. Tankless water heaters come in electric, gas and propane models and have a heating device that is triggered by the flow of water. So if no water is flowing, the water heater is not running. When the water starts flowing, the heat source kicks on and heats the water as it comes out. This provides a constant supply of hot water so you never “run out.”
One of the other benefits of a tankless water heater is their small size. Rather than taking up a lot of floor space like a traditional water heater, tankless water heaters are mounted on the wall and are usually about the size of a medicine chest. You can get both whole-house tankless heaters as well as tankless water heaters that are just used for a single spot in your home such as the shower. The smaller tankless heaters that are designed for just one location are usually small enough to mount in a closet of under a sink.
The greatest energy savings with a tankless water heater comes from setting the water heater’s thermostat set exactly to the temperature of water you want and to avoid mixing cold water with the hot. If you keep the thermostat set too high and have to mix cold water with the hot to achieve a comfortable temperature it will wind up costing you both money and energy.
Many people are disappointed when they get tankless water heaters because they actually see an increase in their power bill. This happens for several reasons. First, many people take longer showers than usual without realizing it because the hot water never runs out. Secondly, many people go overboard and regularly fill their hot tub or jetted tub increasing their power usage. Additionally, many people think that tankless water heaters are “instant” water heaters. However, it does take time for the water to heat up and there is no instant hot water.
Tankless water heaters are not the best option for some people including single people or people who may just use the shower once a day and run a few small loads of laundry. At this rate it would take a long time to regain the initial cost of the water heater. Good candidates for tankless water heaters are people with large families who use a lot of water since they would realize a greater savings in their energy costs each month and recover the cost of the water heater more quickly.
If you do decide to purchase a tankless water heater you need to make sure that the flow rate will be adequate to meet the needs of your family. Many of the cheaper, smaller units do not provide adequate flow to service more than one faucet at a time. Also, gas tankless water heaters generally have a greater flow and are more energy efficient than electric tankless water heaters. Be sure to shop around and compare prices on water heaters just like you would with any other large investment to be sure you are getting the best deal.
