The time has come—you’ve had your tank water heater for 15, maybe even 20 years, and there is no denying that it’s just not up to the job of effectively and efficiently keeping water inside of it warm. Perhaps you noticed the hot water volume has decreased and family members are going without warm showers—or maybe you even noticed corrosion.
It could even be that you came across this blog post as you’re constructing a new home, and you’re unsure if a tank system or tankless is best for your household.
Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place! Read on as we uncover what makes a tankless water heater different, and how you will benefit from those differences.
On-Demand Hot Water
Tankless water heaters are often referred to as “on demand” water heaters, since they only heat water when there is a demand for it—for instance, when a hot water tap is turned on in the home or an appliance that uses hot water is turned on.
Unlike its storage tank counterpart, which loses heat from the tank continually and must keep using energy to heat it up again, a tankless system only actually operates when it is needed. As a result, you can expect to pay a lot less from month to month for your hot water needs than you would with a conventional storage tank water heater. You’ll also benefit from:
- An “Endless” Supply of Hot Water: Tankless water heaters won’t run out of hot water like a storage tank water heater will. That said, the reason we put the word endless in quotations here is because even tankless systems do have their limitations. If too many appliances and fixtures are demanding hot water at once, it can be overwhelmed. This is why it’s important to work with an experienced professional for your water heater installation—to ensure that your water heater is appropriately matched to the size of your household and your specific needs.
- Small System Size: Tankless water heaters don’t take up near as much space as the storage tank systems. This is because there is no need for them to store water—a tankless water heater can be mounted on a wall, giving you valuable storage space from where you would have otherwise put the storage tank.
- Longer System Life: A tankless water heater will undergo a lot less stress over the years than a tank water heater. As a result, it will last a lot longer too! This gives you more time to accumulate savings.
Other Factors to Consider
Tankless water heaters aren’t the answer for all homes, but they’re a great option for many. Some factors to keep in mind include:
- Tankless systems have a higher installation cost (though, this is made up for in months due to the savings you’ll receive).
- Too much demand can temporarily overwhelm it, as mentioned above. Therefore, larger families and homes may benefit from either a tank system or multiple tankless systems.
- Hard water—water with a high level of calcium, magnesium, and iron—can cause sediment to build up in the lines. This doesn’t mean if you have hard water, you shouldn’t have a tankless system—just that you should consider addressing the hard water issue with a whole-house water softener.
When you’re shopping for water heaters in St. Charles, MO, look no further than Performance Plumbing. We’re here to help you make an informed decision regarding all your plumbing needs. Contact us today!