The benefits of tankless water heaters

Tankless water heaters are quickly replacing the large heating devices found in most Canadian homes. Read on to find out why.
Even when the water is not in use, older heaters continuously keep the water warm, resulting in an enormous amount of wasted energy. Now, with tankless water heating, homeowners can save a lot of money. While tankless water heaters have a lot of advantages, they are not for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons about such a system.

Today, most homes are already built with tankless water heaters, and the primary reason is that the devices operate when hot water is needed, thus reducing energy waste. Not only are these devices more energy efficient, but they are more compact and take up much less space.

Advantages of a tankless water heater include increased energy efficiency and decreased operating costs. In addition, there is less space required to install such a system, and the longevity of tankless water heaters is far beyond the conventional heaters.

Tankless water systems produce hot water on demand. You turn on the tap, and the machine starts to operate and you get warm water. So when you do not use water, there is no wasted energy for heating unused water. You also do not idly lose heat from heated water that is sitting in a tank. Water that stays in a tank needs constant reheating, whether you use it or not.

The older tank water heaters usually lasted 10-15 years and required replacement. With new technology and advances in science, the tankless water heaters may last up to 20 years or more. If you are planning to stay in your home for a while, this amounts to significant savings.

The other chief advantage of a tankless water heater is the potential space saving. The traditional water heaters are large and bulky and require considerable space. This space can be precious considering that most new homes are smaller. A tankless water heater, on the other hand, is the size of desktop computer, and usually is attached to the side wall instead of the floor.

The minor disadvantage of a tankless water heating system is the limited water output. Even though the heating system will quickly reheat the water, it does take 5-15 minutes. If you have a very large family who all shower and use the dishwasher at the same time, then this system may not be practical. But if you are prepared to wait five to 10 minutes between showers, this minor inconvenience can be avoided.

A tankless water system is costly. Most of these water systems start out at a price of $2000 and above, plus installation. The money you use up initially will eventually be made up by the cost savings in the long run. Plus, there are state and federal rebates when one installs a tankless water system. If you are undecided, speak to a professional about the benefits of tankless water heaters.