The Pros & Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

Ever find yourself shivering in a suddenly cold shower? Tired of watching gallons of water swirl down the drain while waiting for it to heat up?

You’re not alone. These are two common reasons homeowners ditch their traditional water heaters and go tankless. But do they hold water when it comes to efficiency and convenience? Let’s turn up the heat on the debate and discuss the pros and cons of tankless water heaters.

Types of Tankless Water Heaters

Before we dive into the pros and cons of tankless heaters, we’d like to give you an overview of your options.

• Non-Condensing: These units run on propane or natural gas and use exhaust gasses to preheat incoming cold water. Because of this, these tankless heaters must be vented, which may increase installation costs.
• Condensing: These heaters use exhaust gasses to preheat incoming cold water, making them more efficient and not requiring costly stainless-steel exhaust systems.
• Electric: Electric heaters are quick and easy to install, typically more compact, do not require venting, and are best suited for smaller homes. 
• Point-of-Use (POU): An alternative to whole-home units, POU heaters are installed near a faucet or shower to heat water directly at that point of use.

Tankless Water Heaters: The Pros

Endless Hot Water

Since tankless hot water heats on demand, you’ll never run out of hot water. This means no more cold showers or waiting for the tank to refill and heat up again.

This is particularly beneficial for high-demand households—families with multiple people who must shower, do laundry, and run the dishwasher. Tankless water heaters are also ideal for homes with long plumbing runs—fixtures far from the water heater.

Save Space

Traditional water heaters are heavy and take up a lot of space. On the other hand, tankless water heaters are about the size of a small suitcase and can be mounted on the wall. This makes them perfect for small spaces, apartments, and homes with limited square footage.

Reduce Energy Bills

The beauty of tankless water heaters is that they only heat water when needed. According to Department of Energy estimates, design improvement increases energy efficiency by as much as 34% compared to traditional water heaters. That means less energy wasted and more monthly savings. What's not to love?

Longer Lifespan

With proper maintenance, tankless water heaters can last as long as 20 years—nearly twice as long as traditional water heaters.

Tankless Water Heaters: The Cons

More Expensive

Natural gas water heaters (found in most households) range from $750 for an inexpensive 40-gallon unit to $1,500+ for a high-efficiency 50-gallon unit.

Tankless water heaters ideally sized for a traditional home begin at $1,300 and can cost as much as $3,800.

More Installation Requirements

Some homeowners may need to upgrade their gas line to accommodate a tankless water heater. That’s because tankless heaters typically require a higher gas flow rate than regular water heaters. Just as important, your existing gas line may be too small to provide the necessary flow rate for a tankless water heater.

In such cases, fear not! We can help you make the upgrade.

Large Families May Need More Than One Unit

You may need to install multiple tankless water heaters if you have a high-demand household. Alternatively, you may be able to simply upgrade to a tankless unit with a high flow rate. The downside is that this upgrade will cost more money.

Heat Up Your Life – Without Setting Your Wallet on Fire!

Whether you're ready to upgrade to a tankless water heater or still weighing the pros and cons, our friendly team can help. With over 40 years of industry-leading experience, Good Clean Plumbing is your trusted plumbing partner. From installation to maintenance, we ensure you get the most out of your water heating system. Contact us today!