The storage tank water heater used to be the only way for homes to enjoy central hot water. When it came time for a new water heater installation in Vancouver, WA, it was an easy choice to make. But the technology of the tankless water heater has advanced far enough that these units are now popular options for many residential buildings. You may have already considered a tankless water heater to replace your current storage tank water heater. If you still have doubts about making the switch, we would like to offer some helpful information about what makes tankless water heaters good choices.
The Benefits of the Tankless Water Heater
Technically, tankless water heaters aren’t “new” technology. They were developed at the end of the nineteenth century. It wasn’t until the last two decades that they reached a point where they were effective and efficient for use in homes. Today’s tankless water heaters offer some excellent benefits:
- Energy-saving: What makes a tankless water heater different from a standard water heater is that it only heats water “on demand.” When a tap or appliance in the house makes a request for hot water, the water heater turns on to apply energy to the water passing through it. A standard water heater applies heat to the water regularly, whether there’s demand or not, to make up for standby heat loss. This difference makes a tankless water heater consume less energy, and it can cause a big drop in household heating costs.
- Longevity: Because a tankless water heater uses less energy, it also undergoes less strain, and that can help it last for years longer than a tank water heater.
- Fewer Repairs: The large storage tank of a standard water heater needs more maintenance and more repairs over its service life compared to a tankless water heater.
- Size: A tankless water heater takes up a small amount of space; many can be attached to walls.
- Unlimited Hot Water: Because there is no supply of hot water that a tankless water heater can deplete, it won’t run out of hot water. You don’t have to worry about your shower going cold in the morning, because the tankless water heater is always heating up more when there is a demand for it.
Tankless Isn’t Always the Best Option
A word of caution: despite all the benefits listed above, a tankless system isn’t automatically the best choice for all homes. Tankless water heaters cost more to install, and this may affect a homeowner’s selection. A tankless water heater can also be overwhelmed by demand and lose efficiency if too many taps make requests at once, so for homes with a large number of people living in them, a tankless system may not be ideal unless more than one water heater is installed.
This is where our experts can help. When you’re ready for a new water heater, schedule an appointment and we will assist you with making the decision about what type of water heating system is the best match for your house.
Clawson Heating & Air Conditioning is “Connecting People to Comfort.” Find out more about your water heater installation options with a call to our team.