Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters heat only as much water as you need. They heat the water when it’s needed. This on-demand heating makes the units more energy efficient. Compared to traditional water heaters, tankless models can reduce energy use by up to 34 percent.

A traditional water heater heats water continuously. Its tank fills with hot water for your household. If several people take a shower in a row, there may not be enough hot water for everyone. You might also run out of hot water if the shower runs at the same time as the dishwasher. A buildup of materials in a traditional hot water heater can also cause it to be less effective.

Because tankless water heaters use less energy, they can lower your utility bills. The average household could save hundreds of dollars every year, ENERGY STAR® estimates.

A tankless water heater can conserve 27 to 50 percent more energy than a traditional model. Additionally, it can serve every high demand point in your house at the same time. You can have all the hot water you need in the kitchen, laundry room and bathroom.

On average, tankless water heaters last five to 10 years longer than tank water heaters. With proper maintenance, a tankless water heater can offer up to 20 years of lasting use. Traditional water heaters typically only last from eight to 12 years.

With a traditional hot water heater, your household’s entire supply of hot water is stored in the tank. When the water runs out, it takes a while to heat more water.

The heating elements of a tankless water heater warm up water when it’s needed. It continues heating water as required. The hot water supply is continuous. There’s no wait time for additional water to be warmed up.

Your tankless hot water heat may struggle a little when you use hot water in more than one room. The water temperature can vary when the heater tries to supply multiple locations. Installing a second tankless water heater can help resolve this issue. So can using less water at a time.

Most traditional hot water heater tanks hold between 40 to 60 gallons of water. A traditional hot water heater tank usually measures about 60 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Since tankless water heaters are much smaller, they take up far less space in your home. The standard size is 28 inches tall by 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep.

Water heater tanks typically need maintenance every year. In some regions, they may need to be serviced every six months.

Tankless water heaters don’t require as much upkeep. They can function well for four or five years without maintenance. How often a tankless water heater needs service will depend on the quality of your water supply.

In areas with hard water, an annual cleaning for tankless heaters is recommended. Cleaning removes mineral buildup near the heating element. You can probably complete this tankless water heater task yourself. Use a vinegar solution to flush the hot water heater unit for an hour. The vinegar solution should get rid of any sediment in your tankless hot water heater.