You have to take the bad with the good when it comes to any investment, and tankless water heaters are no different. Getting a firm grip on the pros and cons of tankless water heaters is crucial when weighing your water heater options.
We’ve been in the tankless water heater game for 20 years, and one thing we can confidently tell you is that a tankless water heater isn’t always the right choice for every type of homeowner. While we view tankless water heaters as the future of residential water heating appliances, they’re sometimes a bridge too far for some homeowners. But why is that?
Join us as we walk through the pros and cons of tankless water heaters and when the pros can outweigh the cons so you can have a better idea of whether one will fit your home.
To kick things off, let’s take a broad look at the pros and cons. The pros of tankless water heaters include:
- Higher efficiency
- Environmentally friendly
- Endless hot water
- Space saving
On the other hand, the cons of tankless water heaters include the following:
- Higher upfront cost
- Yearly maintenance
- Additional water treatment costs in hard water areas
Let’s run through the pros of tankless water heaters in depth before heading into the downsides.
Pros of Tankless Water Heaters
Higher Efficiency
One of the strongest cases for going tankless is their higher efficiency over tank-style water heaters. High-efficiency tankless water heater models can reach up to 98% efficiency.
Higher efficiency translates to less fuel waste, which puts money back in your pocket each month. While these savings won’t initially wow you, they do add up over time. Considering that top-end tankless water heaters can last up to 25 years, the long-term savings pose an interesting value proposition.
Environmentally Friendly
Going hand in hand with their higher efficiency, tankless water heaters are also more environmentally friendly. Since you won’t constantly be heating water in a tank, tankless water heaters consume less fuel.
The higher efficiency directly ties to being environmentally friendly. While this may not sound like a big selling point, many homeowners are attempting to make their homes as green as possible. This makes tankless water heaters a top option for environmentally-minded homeowners.
Endless Hot Water
Here’s another heavy hitter for you. Tankless water heaters provide homeowners with endless hot water. Because there is no tank storing water to be heated, tankless water heaters heat water on demand.
While your water won’t be instantly hot since tankless water heaters take time to heat the water to the set temperature, you won’t be starved for hot water. Having endless hot water is a game changer for larger families or for those who take luxuriously long showers.
Endless hot water sounds like a great selling point on its own, but there’s one more upside to tankless water heaters to address.
Space Saving
If you live in a densely populated area, you know space is a valuable commodity. For this reason, tankless water heaters make great additions to homes in areas like Los Angeles County.
Tankless water heaters a drastically smaller than tank-style water heaters, giving you more room to work within your home. The additional space you gain from going with a tankless water heater can help ease a lack of storage space or anything else that needs a bit more space.
But it isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Let’s turn the page and read up on the cons of tankless water heaters.
Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
Higher Upfront Cost
There’s no getting around the fact that tankless water heaters cost more upfront. While they offer long-term savings, the initial investment for the tankless water heater and the installation can be daunting.
This is one of the main reasons why tankless water heaters aren’t for every homeowner. You really need to see the value for the investment to be worth it, which only makes sense. It is your home we’re talking about here.
To get a better handle on how much a tankless water heater costs, we recommend doing a bit more research. You can also check out the cost of top tankless water heater brands like Noritz, Navien, and Takagi.
Regardless of what tankless water heater you go with, the costs don’t stop with the initial install.
Yearly Maintenance
One aspect of water heaters, in general, that some find unappealing is their need for yearly maintenance. While some argue that you can skip out on yearly maintenance, it is a best practice and can even play into the longevity of your water heater’s warranty, including tankless water heaters.
Some manufacturers require you to keep up on yearly maintenance in order for the unit to stay under warranty. Aside from keeping your warranty alive, performing annual maintenance is key to preventing premature breakdowns and ensuring your tankless water heater reaches its maximum lifespan.
But you’ll definitely need to keep up on maintenance if you live in certain areas, specifically areas with hard water.
Additional Water Treatment Costs in Hard Water Areas
If your water is anything like Los Angeles’, you likely have hard water. If this is the case, then you’ll need water treatment. While not every home will require additional water treatment, it’s definitely something you’ll have to determine upfront with your technician.
Adding water treatment can range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. For more information, it's best to brush up on water treatment costs. While water treatment is another pitfall of tankless water heaters, it is a worthwhile investment in keeping your tankless water heater running in top form without needless setbacks.
When Do the Pros Outweigh the Cons for Tankless Water Heaters?
There’s only one person who has the answer to whether the pros outweigh the cons of tankless water heaters, and that’s you. If you’re someone who values long-term savings, going green, and having an endless supply of hot water, then a tankless water heater may be right up your alley.
On the other hand, if these selling points don’t make for an appealing value, then you may want to take the tank-style or hybrid water heater route. But there’s no right or wrong answer here, only what works best for you.
Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for You?
We’ve covered the pros and cons of tankless water heaters to give you a better idea of what you stand to gain and lose by installing one in your home. By now, you have a better idea of where tankless water heaters shine and where they may not appeal to every homeowner. Now you can continue your research with these facts in your back pocket to make the best decision for your family and home.
We understand that tankless water heaters aren’t for everyone, but we also know their unique value and performance is a game changer for many homeowners. Whether you’re going the tankless route or the conventional tank-style route, the right decision is the one that’s best for you.
If you’re ready to get the ball rolling on a tankless water heater or a tank-style water heater, give us a call at (310) 853- 8690 to schedule a consultation or book online on our Tankless Water Heaters page.
Before you call in, you can check out the various types of installation services we provide so you can get a head start before your consultation.
