Tankless Water Heater Prices & Installation Costs Are Soon Recovered
Most of the time, you probably dont give a lot of thought to your water heater. After all, like most home appliances, if its doing what its supposed to, then out of sight, out of mind. But if your current water heater is reaching its last legs or youre looking for a more energy-efficient water heating solution, then it may be time to give an on-demand or tankless water heater a serious look.
For starters, what the heck is a tankless water heater? In short, its a heater that replaces the existing tank type water heater youre used to seeing in your furnace room or basement or your parents. Instead of storing heated water in a tank until its needed, tankless water heaters only heat water as its needed.
Your Tankless Water Heater Team
Because tankless water heaters are still a fairly new concept, there are a lot of plumbers who dont know how to work on them yet. Fortunately, Morris-Jenkins plumbers are trained on how to install and repair tankless water heaters! We like to stay up to date with new technology so were always ready to help you!
Interested in talking about getting a tankless water heater installed?
Give us a call at 357-0484!
The Bottom Line: Which Is The Better 0ption For The Home
After reading the above pros and cons of gas and electric tankless heaters, you should be able to make up your mind as to which is the better option of the two for you. If you have a gas line installed in your house that can support gas water heater, the best option is a gas water heater.
Also, a gas water heater is the right choice if the existing infrastructure does not support the electric power heater requirements. In such a case, a gas water heater will be better as not only the installation cost will be less but you will save money due to lower energy bills.
In all other cases, electric tankless water heater is the right choice. There is no need to install additional gas line or venting for the heater. Also, if you area suffer from gas line disruptions such as during extreme frigid months, its better that you install gas electric heaters.
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Con #: Higher Initial Cost
Their longer lifespan makes tankless units inherently more expensive. The average traditional model costs around $500, while the cheapest tankless options start at $1,000. These specialized models are also more expensive cost more to install, so labor fees must be factored into the overall price tag.
Types Of Tankless Water Heaters
Like the tank water heaters, you can go with a gas or electric option for tankless water heaters. Gas tankless water heaters produce a higher flow rate than that of electric water heaters. A flow rate is just the gallons used per minute. When determining the size of your tankless, you should think of how many devices will run and then figure out how many gallons per minute is used. If you are running your faucet and a shower, add up both of those flow rates and search for a tankless water heater that will be able to have a flow rate of them combined.
Electric Tankless Water Heaters
Once the flow rate is determined, you can move on to what type of tankless would work best for your home. The electric tankless is an option since the upfront cost is normally in the hundred-dollar range or more. It typically wont exceed into thousands of dollars for the unit, depending on the brand and size. It is cheaper to install an electric tankless water heater since it does not require any venting. The space saver option of a tankless is with the electric types. With no venting required for hook up, this tankless can be placed in many places within your home. The flow rate for electric tankless water heaters range from 3 to 8 GPM and there is no repeat maintenance on these units.
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Pro #7 High Energy Efficiency
According to the department of energy, tankless water heaters can be upto 24 to 34% more energy efficient compared to tank models.
This is because, as previously mentioned, the water heaters only use energy when hot water is needed and not like the tank model which uses energy 24hrs.
Electric tankless water heaters are even more energy-efficient compared to tankless gas water heaters.
The Upfront Cost Is Pretty High
One issue tankless hot water consumers have complained about is the pretty high purchase and installation costs. To give you a clear picture of how high the cost of installing a tankless water heating system is, we will compare a 50-gallon tank-type water heating system. The total costs of buying and installing a 50-gallon tank-type water heater wont exceed $1000, while the cost of installing a tankless water heater of the same size will be more than $2500. The costly installation mainly influences the high price of tankless water heaters. Getting a tankless water heater to fit in your old home will require adjustments on the vent piping, wiring, and other related fixtures.
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The Pros And Cons Of A Tankless Water Heater
Your alarm went off late. Your spouse and the kids are up, and theyve already showered. Youre the last one. You turn on the faucet and wait for it to heat up. And wait. And wait some more.
Theres no hot water.
Your morning isnt off to a great start. You just bought a new water heateryou know nothing is wrong with it. If only you could have an endless supply of hot water!
Weve got great news for you. You can.
Pros And Cons Of Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are among the new modern solutions for an energy-efficient home. They instantly generate warm water using electric coils or high-powered gas burners. Of course, there are both pros and cons of tankless water heater, as no product is perfect.Many people wonder, Is an electric tankless water heater worth it? After reading these pros and cons, youll find out if this is the case. These instant heaters are a great solution for your home when you want to have constant access to warm water, and save some money in the long run.
So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of a tankless water heater?
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Con #7 Solar Water Heating Option Available For Warm Climate
Apart from tankless and tank water heaters, other water heating options also exist. Like solar water heaters. Especially popular in warm climates, these water heaters once installed, can provide hot water to your home for years to come with minimum Maintainance. Best of all, theres no monthly electricity or gas bill you have to pay to heat water.
Use A Water Softener Or Higher Maintenance
Finally, heres the last of our tankless water heater pros and cons. This particular con applies to all styles of water heaters. The hard water that most homes use contains minerals that build up over time and cause damage to pipes, faucets, showerheads, and more.
You will need to maintain a tankless once every 12 months. Youll also need to change the heaters anode rods every two years. These two factors will reduce the potential savings, especially if you need a plumber to do these for you.
We recommend getting a water softener to prevent this kind of mineral build-up. The savings in maintenance, future repairs, and frustration will be well worth your investment.
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Tankless Vs Hot Water Tank Heaters Comparison Pros And Cons
Compare tankless vs. traditional water heaters to choose the best option for efficient, reliable, and long-lasting water heating in your home.
Choosing between tankless or regular water heaters and buying the right water heating option is very important because, as stated by the U.S. Department of Energy, gas-fired water tank heaters are the second highest energy consumer, right after space heating. Between 14% and 25% of the home’s annual energy usage goes toward water heating, so your water heater can be a costly investment if you don’t select it wisely.
Check out how tankless and tank-type water heaters work, compare the benefits, including the pros and cons of each type. It is almost imperative to consider initial and operating costs, energy efficiency, available features, longevity, and warranty, in order to make an informed decision.
After figuring out which type is better for your home, tankless or hot water tank, see our recommendation of the best models to buy.
Selecting the right water heater is not an easy decision because the best models are often expensive. In contrast, cheaper models usually come with the lowest efficiency and quality and could cost more at the end of their lifetime.
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Disadvantages Of Tank Water Heaters
However, tank water heaters are lacking in a few areas. Their utility costs can be quite high, as they are not very energy efficient. Your unit will work throughout the day to keep the water in the tank heated, even when no one is home and using it.
Furthermore, tank water heaters will need more maintenance and cleaning than tankless water heaters will, even if that maintenance is cheaper. This is because the tank itself can become damaged, fill with sediment, or rust away. This means that you need regular cleaning to remove that sediment and failing to do so can reduce the effectiveness and lifespan of your water heater.
Additionally, tank water heaters have a hard limit on how much water they can provide. This means that while you may be able to run several showers with hot water at once, eventually your water will run cold.
When this happens, you will have to wait until your tank fills back up to get more hot water. Depending on your unit, this can take a few minutes to several hours before your unit is able to heat the water back up.
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Your Water Wont Come Any Faster
This is more a myth than a con: but theres a false expectation that you will receive instant hot water. You wont. Think of it this way, no matter how your water is heated, it still has to travel the same distance.
So unless you reduce the distance between the tankless heater and your faucet, or you invest in a water recirculation pump, you wont get your water any faster.
Con: High Upfront Cost Of The Unit And Installation
The biggest downside of tankless water heaters by far is the high upfront cost of the unit and installation.
According toHomeAdvisor, the average cost of a 40 to 50-gallon tank-style water heater including installation is $889. The average cost of a tankless water heater including installation is $3,000.
Tankless water heats are more expensive primarily due to higher installation costs. Often times, special wiring needs to be installed in order to handle the increased load and/or a new vent pipe needs to be installed.
Also, since tank-style heaters have been around longer and are more common, more professionals are capable of installing them and the labor costs are lower.
Additionally, hard water can cause tankless water heaters to work harder and eventually break down.
Due to this risk, some manufacturers require that you also install a water softening system, or the warranty is voided. Installing this additional component adds to the overall cost.
Use the links below to compare the prices of popular tank and tankless water heaters. Please note that these prices do not include installation.
Tankless Water Heaters
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Con: Cold Water Sandwich
In researching tankless water heaters youve likely come across the term cold water sandwich.
A cold water sandwich occurs when intermittent use of hot water causes you to feel an initial surge of hot water, followed by cold water, which quickly turns hot again.
When you turn the hot water off and on quickly, like you would when youre hand-washing dishes, the pipes have hot water in them from moments ago.
The short delay between when the water starts to flow and when the heater kicks on causes a short burst of cold water before turning hot.
The cold water sandwich sensation isnt a major issue but it can throw you off if youre not used to it.
Because They Last Longer They Pay Off
This pro is a bit dubious. You probably wont want to use this as your measuring stick for wanting one of these. Your tankless water heater will outlast your old tank water heater.
On-demand electric water heaters will last at least as long as your old tank. And gas models can last 20 years or more. Thats at least 5-10 years of extra life from your water heater. After the first 12-15 years, depending on your initial investment, youll begin to recoup your energy costs.
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How Tankless Water Heaters Work
Tankless water heaters also known as demand-type, on-demand or instantaneous water heaters heat water directly, without the need to store water. A tankless heater has a flow sensing device that is activated whenever a hot water tap is opened. The unit then heats the water using either a gas burner or an electric element and directs the water wherever its needed in your home. Since theres no tank that must be replenished, you dont have to worry about running out of hot water. Once you close the hot water tap, the unit senses that the flow of water has stopped and shuts off the heating element.
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A Tankless Water Heater Saves You Money
A tankless water heater is much cheaper in the long run than a traditional water heater. As described above, greater energy efficiency means that youll end up paying less on your energy bills.
However, its important to take into account the initial upfront cost, which, as discussed in the cons section below, as this also factors in.
So again if youre a cash strapped family, purchasing a tankless water heating unit can actually save you a lot of money in the long run, especially if youre going to be living in the same property for a reasonably long period of time.
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Savings Associated With A Tankless Water Heater
When you add up all of these costs, do the nominal monthly savings associated with a tankless water heater prove worth it?
Yes, but youll have to be patient. On average, expect to save between $75 and $100 per year as a result of their energy efficiency.
That equates to between six and 12 years before youll see a return on your investment. But this figure varies by the model, hours of operation, efficiency level, and more.
Fortunately, tankless units give you plenty of time to recoup your losses.
Traditional water heaters only last about 10 years. But you can expect to see a minimum of 20 years of service with a tankless model, as long as you dont slack when it comes to routine maintenance.
Instant water heaters also come with longer warranties. Some run up to 20 years, which provides plenty of added protection for homeowners.
Besides the savings associated with energy efficiency and double the longevity, if you stay proactive and do your research, you could see savings in other ways.
For example, you may be able to take advantage of a tax credit associated with installing energy star products. Through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, this tax credit is available until 2021.
Pros Of Installing A Tankless Water Heater
Tankless water heaters are available in gas and electric versions, and both heat the water as you need it, using a large amount of energy for a short period of time. This on-demand operation, combined with the lack of a tank, can offer several benefits:
- Reduced energy usage Heating a storage tank constantly uses large amounts of energy. By heating water only when you need it, you can reduce your energy costs significantly.
- Unlimited hot water The capacity of a conventional water heater is restricted by its tank size. A tankless water heater can provide virtually unlimited hot water when sized properly for the application.
- Smaller size Without a tank, the size of a tankless water heater is much smaller than a conventional model, allowing it to fit in more locations for a flexible installation.
- Less risk of leaks Conventional water heaters often store over 40 gallons of water in a steel tank that is vulnerable to corrosion and leaks. Tankless water heaters reduce the chances of major water damage.
- Longer life spans Tankless water heaters often last 15 to 20 years or longer, approximately double the life span of typical storage tank models.
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Con: No Access To Hot Water During A Power Outage
When a storm comes and knocks out power in your home, it also knocks out the hot water.
Tankless water heaters can be powered by gas or electricity but even gas-powered tankless water heaters rely on an electric control panel to operate the system.
So, regardless of the type of tankless water heater you have, youll be out of hot water in the event of a power outage.
This is an area where tank-style water heaters have a significant advantage over tankless. Regardless of the power source, the water stored in their tank will remain hot for several days.