Efficient, compact, and modern — today we’re talking all things tankless. Many of our customers aren’t as familiar with tankless water heaters as they are with traditional tank models, and we want to change that! We’re a proud retailer of Navien tankless water heaters, and they’re a great option for Fox Cities homeowners or businesses who want to cut their utility costs or need a more condensed, space-saving option. So, if you’re interested in investing in a tankless water heater or learning more about them, keep reading.
What’s the difference between a water heater and a tankless water heater?
While both heat water for your home, tankless waters, also known as on-demand water heaters, are generally more compact and rapidly heat up water as you use it, rather than storing it in a tank. A traditional tank water heater, on the other hand, stores hot water in an insulated tank until it’s needed in your shower or faucets.
What are the benefits of a tankless water heater?
Since you’re not storing or heating more water than you’re actually using, tankless water heaters are considered to be more energy-efficient. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, tankless water heaters can be 24%–34% more energy-efficient than conventional tank water heaters in homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water per day. This will save you money over time.
Since they don’t require a large tank, tankless water heaters are smaller and more compact. This makes them a good option if space is limited in your home or business.
What is the downside of a tankless water heater?
The main drawback of tankless water heaters is the upfront cost. They’re generally more expensive than traditional water heaters, plus you’ll likely pay more in installation costs if we have to retrofit your plumbing system to fit the new heater. However, as noted above, you’ll likely save money over time, which helps balance out the costs.
We’ve also seen complaints about having enough hot water when taking multiple showers or running multiple appliances at once. This is rare and is generally avoided if you have the right size tankless water heater for your home or business.
How much does a tankless water heater cost?
Cost depends on the size of water heater you need and a variety of other factors. However, generally, you can expect to spend between $2,000 to $4,500 to buy and install a tankless water heater.
What size tankless water heater do I need?
When considering going tankless, it’s important to consider a few factors:
- The size of your house
- The number of people in your household
- Flow rate (GPM; how much water you’ll need at any given time)
- Temperature rise (ΔT; the difference between incoming water and desired temperature)
Overall, if you have a household of 3-4 people and use an average amount of water, you’ll likely want a 40-50 gallon capacity tankless water heater. Figuring out what size water heater you’ll need can be confusing, so consult one of our plumbing experts.
Do tankless water heaters run out of hot water?
Generally, no. Tankless water heaters provide all the hot water you need. They heat up the water as it flows through, so as long as you have the right size and a good model, you won’t run out of hot water as you might with a tankless water heater.
How long does a tankless water heater last?
A tankless water heater will generally last about 20 years. This is almost double the lifespan of a traditional tank water heater, which generally lasts for 10-15 years. There are also replacement parts available to help you extend the life of your tankless water heater.
Is a tankless water heater worth the money?
This is a personal preference. However, we will say that our customers in the Fox Cities who go tankless generally tell us how happy they are with the investment. If you’re on the fence, let’s chat. We’re always willing to discuss the best type of water heater for your home.
