Should You Replace Your Water Tank With A Tankless Water Heater?

Posted on: 27 May 2015

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Has the time come to replace your existing hot water tank? If so, you may be wondering if you should replace your traditional hot water tank with a tankless water heater. Taking the time to review the pros and cons associated with this option can help you to make this important decision.

The Pros

There are several benefits that come along with choosing to replace your hot water tank with a tankless water heater. These benefits include:

  1. Hot Water On-Demand - Tankless water heaters produce hot water on demand. This means that you will never need to worry about running out of hot water or waiting for the water inside your water tank to reach the desired temperature.
  2. Energy Efficient - In order to keep your water hot and ready for use, traditional water tanks will need to reheat the water several times throughout the day. This wastes energy. With a tankless water heater, the water is not heated until you need it, ultimately allowing you to save money on your energy bills.
  3. Minimal Storage Space - Since tankless water heaters do not store hot water for later use, these water heaters will take up far less space than traditional models. This can be especially beneficial for individuals who not have a basement or other storage area in which to house a hot water tank.

The Cons

There are also some disadvantages that come with the use of a tankless water heater. These disadvantages include:

  1. Installation Cost - Purchasing and installing a tankless water heater is considerably more expensive than simply purchasing a new hot water tank. This can be a serious factor to consider when dealing with a tight budget.
  2. Limited Water Pressure - A tankless water heater will be limited in the number of gallons it can produce per minute. Consequently, while the hot water may not run out, the amount of water pressure you receive will be rather low when attempting to use hot water in more than one room at a time.

The Bottom Line

While many households may benefit from upgrading to a tankless water heater, these tankless models will not be right for everyone. For instance, individuals that frequently require hot water for more than one purpose at a time will likely find that they are better served by a traditional hot water tank thanks to the ability of these tanks to maintain high water pressure even when hot water is being used in multiple locations simultaneously. Contact a company like Anderson Water Systems for more information.