Plumbing Honolulu: Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters have been a popular choice in Europe and Asia for years now because of their space-saving and energy saving nature—and it’s no surprise that these innovative water heaters are becoming more and more popular in the states. However, tankless water heaters aren’t right for every home.

Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

In this blog, the Honolulu plumbers at Emergency Plumbing & Solar will help you weigh the pros and cons of tankless water heaters so you can make the right decision for you, your family, and your home.

Tankless Versus Tank Water Heaters

Before diving into the advantages and disadvantages of tankless water heaters, it’s important to understand how they work compared to traditional tank water heaters. As the name implies, a tank water heater stores a large amount of water—30 gallons or more—and keeps that water at the set temperature around the clock. Meanwhile, tankless units are also called on-demand water heaters because they use a powerful heating element to warm up water—nearly instantly—when it’s needed, such as when you turn on a hot water faucet or an appliance runs.

A Quick Overview of the Pros and Cons Of Tankless Water Heaters

PROSCONS
More energy efficientSave spaceCan produce hot water endlesslyEasier to maintainUsually have longer service lives and warrantiesSave money in the long runHave a high upfront costMay not work during power outagesCan take time for water to get fully heated

THE PROS OF TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

Tankless Water Heats Are More Energy Efficient

The biggest advantage of tankless water heaters is that they consume less energy (gas or electricity) than tank units. This makes sense since they don’t have to heat water 24/7. How much energy savings are we talking about? According to the EPA, for a home that uses about 40 gallons of hot water a day, a tankless water heater can be as much as 34% more energy efficient than a tank water heater. Not only is conserving energy good for the environment but it can also save you money (which will get to later).

Tankless Water Heaters Save Space

Tankless water heaters are a fraction of the size of standard water heaters—no more large water tank closets needed. You can keep these tankless heaters right underneath the sink, near the shower, or anywhere that it’s convenient for you. Plus, these water heaters won’t end up as rusty scraps of metal in a landfill when it’s all said and done. The best part is that there’s no need to wait for your water to heat up—you always have instant hot water whenever you need it, wherever you need it.

Tankless Water Heats Can Produce Endless Hot Water

If you’ve ever run out of hot water while showering, you understand one of the limitations of a tank water heater. Once the tank is empty, it can take hours for it to refill and heat up again. That’s not a worry with a tankless water heater, which can produce an endless supply of hot water up the unit’s maximum flow rate (typically 2-5 gallons per minute).

Tankless Water Heaters Can Be Easier to Maintain

Tank water heaters are prone to sediment and mineral deposits building up inside the tank, which can lead to corrosion and overheating. This is why plumbers recommend flushing a tank unit once a year. On the other hand, tankless water heaters generally do not require maintenance as frequently. Some systems even have a scale detection feature that alerts you when it’s time to descale the unit.

Tankless Water Heaters Usually Have Longer Service Lives And Warranties

Tankless water heaters usually last around 20 years—around twice the lifespan of standard tank heaters. That means you get longer warranties and better water heater performance in your home. Plus, you’ll avoid water heater tank breakdowns that leave water all over your floors.

Tankless Water Heaters Save Money

…In the long run, anyway. Tankless water heaters have a much higher upfront cost, but will ultimately save you money in the long run in terms of energy and water usage.

THE CONS OF TANKLESS WATER HEATERS

Tankless Water Heaters Are More Expensive Upfront

You’ll save money in the long run, but tankless water heaters can come at a hefty price—especially if you need to rewire your home to accommodate them. Depending on whether you go electric or gas can result in a high appliance cost in addition to the rewiring needed.

They Might Not Work During Power Outages

While your tank water heater will usually have an initial reserve of hot water when the power goes out, tankless water heaters do not have that luxury, which could leave you without any hot water as long as the power is out.

You’ll Occasionally Have To Wait For Hot Water

Even with “instant on” tankless heaters, there might be a slight delay to receive your hot water—especially if you recently turned off the hot water from a recent task. Some tankless models need a minute to boot up if you’re using them again right after you’ve turned them off—and that can leave you in a classic “cold sandwich” situation. A little bit of hot water followed by a few minutes of cold water followed by more water can be inconvenient at best and torturous at worst.

Also, even though a tankless system doesn’t “run out” of hot water, the supply can be weakened if multiple outlets are in use. So, you have to be mindful of how many people are using hot water at the same time.

Is a tankless heater right for you?

There are a lot of factors to weigh when deciding to go with a tankless water heater or to opt for the traditional route. Those who think they’ll spend quite a few years in their home, have solid electrical infrastructure, and have the money to pay for the upfront costs should definitely consider a tankless heater system. However, if you’re stretching your budget just to rewire your home and get a tankless system in place, it might be better to stick with the big old tank in the broom closet.

Regardless of your water heater choice, remember that Emergency Plumbing & Solar can help you find the right solution for your home and your budget. We install water heater tanks as well as tankless heaters, and offer other hybridized options that could be exactly what you need. If you have any questions about water heaters, or would like to set up an appointment, get in touch with Emergency Plumbing & Solar today

We proudly serve all of Oahu and Maui islands. Schedule an appointment today at (808) 691-9309 Oahu, (808) 400-8811 Hawaii Island.

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