As you can see in the introduction section that I’m a smart home consultant and help individuals as well as corporates to convert their traditional homes and offices into a smarter version so I think I may the RIGHT PERSON to answer the question, is a tankless water heater worth it, right?
Correct me, if I’m wrong.
Trust me, my plan for today is to end this age-old debate on the credibility of a tankless hot water heater.
I know many of the readers of izzysmarthomeguide.com are newbies and first-time buyers so definitely, knowing the pros of a tankless water heater is very important from a buying point of view.
Instant Hot Water
After flushing the cold water pipes out of the faucet, tankless water heaters can provide an unending stream of hot water almost instantly.
Therefore, on a very basic level, these units can indeed deliver on their promise to supply heating without the inconvenience of bulky storage tanks.
Longer Lifespan
As compared to a conventional water heater, a tankless water heater has a longer lifespan.
In fact, a high-quality tankless water heater can last almost twice that of a conventional counterpart only if maintained and operated properly.
Long-Term Benefits
It goes without saying that a tankless hot water heater comes with long term benefits in terms of lower heating cost as well as lower maintenance cost.
Space Saving and Portable
Well, you heard it, RIGHT!
A tankless hot water heater will save you a good amount of space because of its small, compact, and sleek design.
Moreover, it gives you the feasibility to store in non-traditional spaces such as attic and closet.
Since they are lightweight so you can hang them on the wall freeing the floor space.
Financing and Tax Breaks
Personally, I feel special financing and tax breaks are some of the main reasons that entice end-users’ towards the tankless hot water heaters.
Since they are highly efficient so qualify for the federal tax credits which could be of great help when it comes to offsetting the steep installation cost.
As per my knowledge and experience, the federal government offered a 10 percent tax credit on the overall cost of buying and installing a tankless hot water heater.
Energy star-certified traditional storage heaters also qualify for the same 10 percent tax break which is definitely something that might grab your eyeballs, isn’t it?
Minimal Standby Heat Loss
As compared to a conventional tank-styled water heater, the tankless counterpart has a minimal standby heat loss.
Since the heater mechanism doesn’t require storing hot water in a tank so heat loss to the environment is almost negligible.
In fact, the tankless heater heats water only when it’s required, that is, on-demand.
Endless Hot Water Supply
Models like this have become popular in recent years because of their ability to supply endless hot water.
However, the hack is sizing should be done properly to avoid any flaw.
You need to buy the tankless water heater with the correct flow rate.
The best way to do so is to calculate the GPM of various fixtures that you want to run simultaneously.
Then, sum up all the GPM to come to a cumulative number.
Finally, look for the heaters that will exceed this number so that your requirement is fully taken care of.
Equipped With Advanced Technology
Most of the tankless water heaters are equipped with the advanced and innovative technology in order to help you reap maximum benefits out of the unit.
Furthermore, these advanced technologies NOT ONLY reduces the wait time for the hot water but also makes the unit safer and more convenient.
Multiple Options
Well, I personally admire the fact that the tankless water heaters come in a wide range of models.
Their are tankless heaters exclusive for the commercial use.
Whole house, under sink, indoor, outdoor, etc models are also present.
So, you’ve got a wide range to choose from.
If we’ve to do bifurcation from the fuel point of view, then you’ve got two options, that is, electric tankless, and gas tankless.
The gas tankless heaters are further segregated into propane and natural gas.
So, you can choose the one that caters to your requirement as well as falls well within your budget.
Warranty
Most of the models offered by premium brands such as Rinnai, Rheem, Noritz offer a longer duration of warranty which clearly depicts the trust and confidence of the manufacturers in its offering.
Energy Star Certified
Well, there are quite a few tankless water heater models that are star certified so while buying a tankless heater, look for the one that is star certified like this one.
Installation
Well, most of the tankless water heaters are easy to install and doesn’t consume much of your time.
Frankly speaking, whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned professional, you can expedite the installation process on your own if you’ve got prior experience in plumbing.
However, there are certain models that need you to get the unit installed by a certified professional in order to avail warranty.
Failing to do so can void your warranty for sure.
So, before buying a tankless water heater make sure that you’re updated with the specifications, terms, and conditions.
Some Important Facts
- According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a tankless water heater is more efficient and uses less energy than a conventional water heater which results in a saving of $100 annually
- Moreover, if you own a small house and your hot water uses is less than 41 gallons per day, then a tankless water heater will prove to be 24 to 34 percent more efficient
- Even though your hot water requirement is high still you can expect your tankless hot water heater to be up to 14 percent more energy efficient
- And, the best part is, you can save up to 50 percent on energy bills by installing an on-demand unit at each hot water faucet
Switching to Tankless Hot Water is Definitely Worth the Investment
It goes without saying that water heating is one of the most expensive energy costs in homes.
In fact, they account for as much as 30 percent of a home’s energy expenses which is definitely something that you can’t afford to ignore, right?
Needless to say, it makes sense to consider the alternative sources that could save you a tangible amount on energy bills.
In recent times, I came across some of my clients whose energy expenses go into water heating soar up to 50 percent which was definitely bothersome for both me and my client.
By simply installing a tankless water heater of your choice and appropriate sizing can make all the difference for sure.
Well, once the tankless heater is installed, all you need is minor regular maintenance which if done in a correct and effective way will definitely prevent performance and other related issues.
Nonetheless, always consult a certified technician in case, you’re not able to figure out the problem that is downgrading your heater performance.
Electric vs Gas Tankless Water Heater: Which is Worth the Investment?
To be honest, both the tankless models have their own shares of pros and cons.
In layman’s term, opt for the model that syncs well with your requirements and budget.
What I’ll do is present to you the comparison chart that will help you in making an informed buying decision.
| Features | Electric Tankless | Gas Tankless |
| Price | Even the premium models are available below $1000 | You’ll have to spend somewhere around $2000 for a premium model |
| Installation Cost | In most of the cases, installation is cheaper | The prerequisite of installation is venting requirement which significantly adds to the cost |
| Flow Rates | High-quality models can provide a flow rate of up to 8 GPM | You can expect a GPM of 8 or more |
| Operating Cost | Frankly speaking, electricity costs are more stable and projected to rise at a steady rate in future | Natural gas is definitely cheaper as compared to electricity but in future their might be a surge in price |
| Environmental Impact | Environment friendly, no green house gas emission, future electricity generation is expected to come from green sources such as solar, wind, and wave energy | Produces green house gases and increases dependency on fossil fuels which might be a point of concern for future generation |
| Maintenance | Minimal maintenance required | Requires annual maintenance |
| Venting | Not required | Required |
Wrapping Up
First and foremost, I would like to thank you for being with us till the end.
Moreover, I just want to bring to your notice that I along with my core team have tried to the best of our capabilities to come up with an idiosyncratic superlative explanation to the query, is a tankless water heater worth the investment.
And, in case, you liked our effort then feel free to share this piece of information with the ones who are in need of it.
After all, sharing is caring, isn’t it?
Time is changing so is the requirement of the individuals.
I will not say that a tank-styled water heater isn’t worth investing into.
However, with changing lifestyles and surging cost of living, my suggestion would be to opt for a tankless hot water heater.
Rest assured, you’ll NEVER regret investing in a tankless heater that I can affirm.
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