Is It Worth Buying a Tankless Water Heater?

When it comes to upgrading your home’s water heating system, the question often arises: Is it worth buying a tankless water heater? Tankless water heaters offer a range of benefits but also come with some drawbacks. Let’s explore the pros to help you determine if a tankless water heater is the right choice for your home.

Pros of Tankless Water Heaters

Energy Efficiency: Tankless water heaters heat water on demand, meaning they only use energy when hot water is needed. This can lead to significant energy savings and lower utility bills compared to traditional tank water heaters, which continuously heat a large volume of water.

Endless Hot Water: With a tankless water heater, you won’t run out of hot water. These units heat water as it flows through the system, ensuring a continuous supply. This is especially beneficial for large families or homes with high hot water consumption.

Space-Saving Design: Tankless water heaters are compact and can be installed in smaller spaces, such as closets or on walls. This frees up valuable floor space that would otherwise be occupied by a bulky tank water heater.

Cons of Tankless Water Heaters

Higher Initial Cost: One of the primary drawbacks of tankless water heaters is their higher upfront cost. The unit itself is more expensive, and installation can also be more complex, potentially increasing the overall initial expense.

Flow Rate Limitations: While tankless units provide endless hot water, their flow rate can be limited. If multiple fixtures are used simultaneously, the unit might struggle to supply sufficient hot water to all of them at once, particularly in larger households.

Installation Challenges: Installing a tankless water heater can be more complicated than a traditional tank system. It may require upgrading your home’s electrical system or gas lines to accommodate the new unit, leading to additional installation costs.

Maintenance Requirements: Tankless water heaters require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance. This includes descaling the unit to remove mineral buildup, which can affect efficiency and longevity.

Read: Tankless Water Heater vs. Tank: Which is Right for You?

From the video:

“Whenever you install a tankless, you get 99 cents out of every dollar you put in because you will only pay for gas when that tankless calls for hot water. Anytime you turn on the faucet, take a shower, run the dishwasher, whatever the case might be, is the only time that heater is going to be fired up.

Versus a tank, you only get 30 cents back. When you’re not home, whenever you’re at work, that water heater is constantly running, trying to keep that 40 gallons of water hot up to temperature.”

Conclusion

So, is it worth buying a tankless water heater? The answer depends on your specific needs and circumstances. If you prioritize energy efficiency, endless hot water, and saving space, a tankless water heater could be a great investment. However, if you are concerned about the higher initial cost and potential installation challenges, it might be worth considering these factors carefully.

Average Costs for Water Heater Replacement:

• Natural Gas Water Heater: $1,900 – $4,500
• Propane Water Heater: $2,500 – $4,500
• Electric Water Heater: $2,000 – $4,500
• Heat Pump Water Heater: $3,500 – $9,000
• Tankless Water Heater: $3,500 – $6,000

About Yarbrough & Sons Heating, Cooling & Plumbing:

Since 1988, Yarbrough & Sons has been serving Oklahoma City with top-notch home comfort solutions. With over 450 years of combined experience, our family-owned business is committed to quality, comfort, and community care. Trust us for all your HVAC needs.