Is it time to make a change with your water heater in Mesquite, TX? Maybe your current water heater has reached its age limit. Maybe you found a leak. Maybe you’ve noticed corrosion on the valves. Whatever has gone wrong with the heater means that it’s time to enter the market for a new one. As you begin your search for a new water heater you might want be thinking about a tankless water heater. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of tankless water heaters so you can make an informed decision.
The Pros of a Tankless Water Heater
One of the most popular pros of a tankless water heater is that it can provide the entire home with instant hot water. Once the pipes are flushed of cold water, activate the hot water spigot and receive hot water instantly. This is a major benefit since you don’t need to have a 50-gallon tank in your basement taking up space to be guaranteed hot water.
A tankless water heater usually lasts longer compared to a traditional storage water heater. The traditional storage heaters last around 10 years. A tankless water heater has just about double the lifespan of a storage water heater, which means you won’t have to replace it every decade.
When you have a tankless water heater you will be able to save on space in your home no matter the location of the heater. Tankless water heaters are typically mounted to the wall by the plumber and usually in a spot where visitors won’t notice it.
Standby loss is eliminated when you go with a tankless water heater. What is standby loss? Standby loss occurs in a storage water heater because the water routinely needs to be heated to provide hot water. This means that energy is being used by the tank even when no one is home using the hot water.
The Cons of a Tankless Water Heater
One of the biggest complaints of tankless water heaters is that they provide inconsistent temperatures. This is especially true when multiple faucets or spigots are in use throughout the house at the same time and all are calling for hot water. Along the same lines, the heater might not activate when the spigot is slightly opened, like when you are shaving or cleaning the sink.
A tankless water heater has a higher initial cost compared to a storage water heater unit. The unit itself costs more and the installation will also cost more due to the unit being mounted on a wall and not placed on the floor.
If you are considering installing a tankless water heater due to cost, you can save just as much money by changing your water usage habits as you can by installing a tankless heater. Consider reducing shower time, using the dishwasher more infrequently, watering the lawn less and more.
There is a limited supply of hot water when going with a tankless water heater compared to a traditional storage unit. If more than one person wants to take a shower or if you run the washing machine and dishwasher at the same time a tankless heater will have trouble providing enough hot water.
Consult with a Plumber Today
These are just a few of the pros and cons of tankless water heaters. It’s best to discuss your options with an experienced, trusted, and reliable plumber in the Mesquite, TX area. Give the team at Flow Plumbing a call at 214-388-8838 to schedule a consultation with one of our plumbers.
