If it’s time to replace your conventional storage type water heater, consider whether installing a tankless water heater makes sense for your home. Tankless water heaters (also called demand water heaters) have many advantages over conventional storage type water heaters, but they come with certain trade-offs.
The primary advantage of a tankless water heater is that they are much more energy efficient than a standard storage type water heater. According to EPA estimates, tankless water heaters use about 30% less energy to heat water than a conventional storage type water heater. Since water heating is one of the largest users of energy in most homes, the energy savings can be significant.
The energy savings from tankless water heaters are a result of heating water only when it is needed. A conventional water heater heats a tank of water and keeps it hot all day whether there is a demand for hot water or not. The energy used to keep the water hot is called standby heat loss. A demand or tankless water heater eliminates standby heat loss and saves energy by heating water only when the hot water tap is opened.
Before committing to a tankless water heater, talk to an experienced plumber who understands the trade-offs inherent in these types of systems. For one thing, a tankless water heater is more expense than a conventional water heater. However, a tankless water heater has two to three times the useful life of a conventional water heater.
Also, sizing is critical for tankless water heaters to maximize efficiency while ensuring that you don’t run out of hot water. Your plumber can review your hot water usage habits and help you select the right size tankless water heater for your home.
