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Benefits and Drawbacks of Tankless Water Heaters | San Antonio, TX

Benefits and Drawbacks of Tankless Water Heaters | San Antonio, TX

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There are many benefits to having a tankless water heater installed in a home in San Antonio, TX. If you are looking for a way to increase the energy efficiency of your home or its simply time to install a new hot water heater in your home it may be worth taking a look at tankless water heaters. If you are tired of waiting for hot water to warm up, this is just one of many benefits that come with looking at a tankless water heater.

Of course, like any appliance out there there are some downsides to tankless water heaters as well. For instance, they have a larger upfront cost and on occasion can take longer to actually deliver hot water. So, while it won’t run out, it also won’t make it to you as quickly. The following will take a deeper look at the benefits and disadvantages of tankless water heaters so you have a better idea of what you want before calling a plumber to come out for installation.

Pro: You Will Save Money and Lower Energy Consumption

The number one benefit of a tankless water heater is the fact that you will save money over time. Sure, you have to pay more upfront, but the amount you save during the lifetime of the water heater will more than make up for the additional costs. Tankless heaters don’t constantly run like traditional hot water heaters do. So when you think of your tank drawing energy all day versus just when it’s in use, you can easily see the difference in energy costs.

Tankless water heaters only produce hot water on-demand which means that if you and your family are gone all day, then they will not run one time. The same is not true of a traditional hot water heater which will likely run for most of the day. Believe it or not, the US Department of Energy estimates that tankless water heaters can save as much as 8-50% in energy costs depending on what type of hot water consumer you are. If you like the idea of saving money, you might even think about installing a small tankless water heater at each outlet to support a centralized system which in turn can increase how much you save.

Pro: You Will Never Run Out of Hot Water Again

Is it a fight every morning to decide who gets to shower first? If you have ever had the hot water run out in the middle of the shower you know the pain that a hot water tank can bring. However, with a tankless water heater in the house no one will ever have to experience the shock of the hot water running out again. Instead of racing to finish before the water is ice cold, you can take your shower at your own leisurely pace.

This is because tankless water heaters are able to provide endless amounts of hot water at any given time so long as you aren’t drawing too much on the tank. Every water heater has its maximum flow rate, but unless you have five people in five different showers at the same time, you will never reach it.

Since the tankless water heater only heats water as it is needed, it can easily heat water to keep a shower nice and toasty for as long as you want. This means that four people can shower in a row in the morning and each person will still enjoy a nice warm shower without being forced to wait 30 minutes for that treat.

Pro: Less Space Heavy

Everyone knows how large and obtrusive a traditional water heater can be, however, since most people think they don’t have a choice they deal with it. Tankless water heaters provide an excellent solution for garages or first-floor hookups that don’t have a lot of space. Instead of being forced to hide a 40-50 gallon tank, you just need an empty spot on the wall to fit a cylinder box that resembles your circuit breakers. Most tankless boxes are slim, rectangular, and easily tucked away against a wall. After installation, you will probably forget that it is even there.

Con: High Upfront Cost

The main drawback of a tankless hot water heater is that it comes with a high price tag. Compared to a normal hot water heater you can pay as much as three times more for a similar tankless model. If you were not expecting to replace your hot water heater, that sudden jump in pricing may be too much for your household budget to handle.

However, if you can manage it then it’s worth another look. The many benefits will help you earn back the extra money you spend and then save some more over the next couple of decades of your lives. In general, tankless water heaters are able to last over two decades, which is pretty amazing considering their traditional counterparts tend to last between 8-12 years. Paying a little extra for a device that won’t explode and has a lifespan of 20+ years is not actually quite such a bad deal.

Get Help from a Qualified San Antonio, TX

If you are not sure whether or not a tankless water heater is a good option for you to consult a professional plumber. bluefrog Plumbing & Drain of San Antonio has been installing tankless water heaters for the past decade and will happily install your system. If you are not sure whether it is a good choice for your home, call and talk to one of our licensed plumbers before purchasing a traditional water heater. You may find that the allure of space and independence is worth paying a few more dollars upfront to achieve.

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