If you’re trying to choose between a storage water heater and a tankless water heater, it can be a decision that either looks deceptively simple or can seem overly complicated.
The truth is, it’s all about knowing what a tankless water heater can do that a storage water heater can’t, and vice versa.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of pros and cons of tankless water heaters, so you can make an informed decision if you’re thinking of making the leap and ditching your tank.
Pros of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are almost always presented as more energy efficient. This is because they heat up only the water you use, as you use it. The end result is that you’re not using up the energy to heat water just to sit in a tank for a while. If you’re not using that energy, you’re not paying for that energy, so there’s a cost to be saved here in the long run.
This is more true the less water you use. If your home uses a lot of hot water, more than 40 gallons, the saving in energy is between 8% and 14%. However, if you use less water than this, you can save up to 34%.
In addition, your tankless water heater will last far longer than a storage water heater. This gives you another financial boost as you’re not going to be replacing it as quickly as you would if you had a storage water heater. It’s possible to keep the best tankless water heater fully operational for more than 20 years, while a storage water heater will die out in around 10 to 15 years.
More than just saving you money, this longevity can also save you the chaos and inconvenience of having a new water heater installed. This process can take over your home and your life until it’s done, so it’s not something you’re ever likely to look forward to.
Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Yes, tankless water heaters can save you money, but this is where it gets a little complicated.
The savings are very dependent on having your pilot light off whenever the heater is not in use. If the pilot light is kept on, the savings will be diminished. Of course, it is now possible to get electric, rather than gas, tankless water heaters, so this doesn’t need to be an issue.
Tankless water heaters: Although they save money on bills and last longer - can also be significantly more expensive than storage water heaters. You need to be able to handle this increased cost at the beginning, and look to save money over the long term if you’re getting a tankless water heater for financial reasons.
Both kinds of water heaters can be costly to replace if you’ve accidentally voided your warranty, and in these cases, the best tankless water heaters can be more expensive to repair than a storage water heater. Check out some tankless hot water heater reviews to pick a model that has the fewest reported problems and highest ratings for your price range and needs.
Voiding your warranty can happen simply because you haven’t had them checked or serviced in accordance with your small print, so be sure to read this before you sign on the dotted line for either kind of water heater.
The truth is, it’s all about knowing what a tankless water heater can do that a storage water heater can’t, and vice versa.
That’s why we’ve put together this list of pros and cons of tankless water heaters, so you can make an informed decision if you’re thinking of making the leap and ditching your tank.
Pros of Tankless Water Heaters
Tankless water heaters are almost always presented as more energy efficient. This is because they heat up only the water you use, as you use it. The end result is that you’re not using up the energy to heat water just to sit in a tank for a while. If you’re not using that energy, you’re not paying for that energy, so there’s a cost to be saved here in the long run.
This is more true the less water you use. If your home uses a lot of hot water, more than 40 gallons, the saving in energy is between 8% and 14%. However, if you use less water than this, you can save up to 34%.
In addition, your tankless water heater will last far longer than a storage water heater. This gives you another financial boost as you’re not going to be replacing it as quickly as you would if you had a storage water heater. It’s possible to keep the best tankless water heater fully operational for more than 20 years, while a storage water heater will die out in around 10 to 15 years.
More than just saving you money, this longevity can also save you the chaos and inconvenience of having a new water heater installed. This process can take over your home and your life until it’s done, so it’s not something you’re ever likely to look forward to.
Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Yes, tankless water heaters can save you money, but this is where it gets a little complicated.
The savings are very dependent on having your pilot light off whenever the heater is not in use. If the pilot light is kept on, the savings will be diminished. Of course, it is now possible to get electric, rather than gas, tankless water heaters, so this doesn’t need to be an issue.
Tankless water heaters: Although they save money on bills and last longer - can also be significantly more expensive than storage water heaters. You need to be able to handle this increased cost at the beginning, and look to save money over the long term if you’re getting a tankless water heater for financial reasons.
Both kinds of water heaters can be costly to replace if you’ve accidentally voided your warranty, and in these cases, the best tankless water heaters can be more expensive to repair than a storage water heater. Check out some tankless hot water heater reviews to pick a model that has the fewest reported problems and highest ratings for your price range and needs.
Voiding your warranty can happen simply because you haven’t had them checked or serviced in accordance with your small print, so be sure to read this before you sign on the dotted line for either kind of water heater.