Deciding whether or not to buy a tankless water heater can be a tough decision. You may not know much about the technology they use. Then, it seems like there are a million decisions to make… should you go with electric or gas-powered? What features do you need? What kind of maintenance will you need?
Because there is so much information on tankless water heaters floating around out there, you need a way to understand it all. By reading the following details – along with several tankless water heater pros and cons – you can make an informed decision about whether these water heaters are right for you.
How do tankless water heaters work?
Traditional water heaters gather water into a big steel tank, heat all of it, and send it off into your pipes. However, that can be a real waste of time and energy. If you only need a little bit of hot water, heating an entire tank’s worth is not necessary.
Tankless water heaters eliminate that problem.
Instead of gathering water in a tank and heating it, a tankless water heater heats up water as it passes through one of your pipes. Typically, a box with a heater and a sensor is placed around the pipe. The sensor is designed to tell when water is going through the pipe, how hot the water is, and whether or not the heater itself is getting too hot.
By the time the water makes its way through the pipe, it is hot. Since there is no limit to the amount of water than can pass through the pipe, you can get an endless supply of hot water. When you turn off your hot water faucet, the tankless water heater also shuts off.
Different types of tankless water heaters
Like traditional water heaters, when you buy a tankless model, you have the option of getting one that is gas-powered or powered by electricity:
Natural gas is usually cheaper than electricity. However, if you have a big family that needs a lot of hot water, you may end up using a lot more gas than electricity! But by using a gas-powered heater, you are less likely to have parts freeze up during the winter – as natural gas and propane are never completely turned off like electricity is.
With electric-powered models, you can actually use less to power them. Electric models tend to stay warmer longer than gas models do. Plus, electric water heaters do not give off fumes and other by-products that gas-powered models do. And, your chances of falling victim to a fire are lower when your water is heated with electricity, rather than gas.
Tankless water heater pros and cons
Like any product, you will experience good and bad with a tankless water heater. Here’s what you can expect:
Pros:
– The biggest advantage is not having to worry about running out of hot water like you can with a traditional water heater. After all, once you have used up all of the hot water in the tank, you will have to wait for another tank to heat up. In the meantime, you’ll have nothing but cold water.
– Tankless models can save you money. In fact, Consumer Reports says that going tankless can reduce your energy bills by about 20%!
– They are more durable than other water heaters. Tankless units are less likely to leak and cause indoor flooding.
– They can actually improve your water quality because they cut down on hard water and other minerals in your water by not having a large place – like a tank – for impurities to gather.
Cons:
– They are expensive. Tankless models will typically cost you $700-$1500 – compared to around $300 for a traditional water heater.
– Repairs are not as easy. If a tankless unit breaks, it will ikely have to be replaced.
– Depending on the amount of hot water you use, you may need more than one.
– They can get overwhelmed. If a tankless water heater starts working too hard, it can automatically shut off – leaving you with an unexpected cold shower.
Which commercial tankless water heaters are best?
These 4 brands tend to be the leaders in tankless water heaters:
- Bosch tankless water heaters
Bosch has made a name for itself, in part, by being dedicated to providing energy efficient appliances. The company makes 1.5 million gas-operated tankless water heaters every year.
- Rinnai tankless water heaters
Built to handle even large families, some of their tankless models can produce more than 7 gallons of hot water per minute! Their models are energy-star qualified, have a longer lifespan than most units, and start at around $900 – which is considerably lower than many of their competitors.
- Rheem tankless water heaters
Rheem has over 80 years of experience building water heaters. With 4 different types of tankless water heaters – including solar-powered models – this company is known for its quality and its long warranties.
- Whirlpool tankless water heaters
You’ve probably heard the company’s name mentioned in commercials by several retail stores on TV. That’s because their one of the biggest suppliers of water heaters in the United States. Their tankless water heaters can be found at virtually every home improvement or appliance store.