Most homes in the United States are equipped with a tank water heater, but tankless water heaters are on the rise.
Depending on the age of your home, you may be looking at replacing a water heater sometime down the road, as most conventional heaters only last 10-15 years. After looking at your options, you may be wondering whether tankless is the right way to go.
In today’s post, we outline some points to consider so that you can choose the best option for you.
What is the Difference?
First, it is helpful to know what sets a tankless heater apart from a tank heater. A traditional water heater has a large insulated tank, typically holding between 30 to 60 gallons of water. The water is heated and stored to be ready when hot water is needed. These heaters can be fueled by natural gas or electricity and are more common, particularly if you live in an older home. A tankless heater, as the name implies, does not use a tank; rather, water is heated by either a gas burner or electric element as needed. Without the need for a large tank, these heaters can be as small as a suitcase.
How Does it Affect Your Wallet?
The biggest difference you may notice in researching water heaters is the price difference between conventional and tankless heaters. A tank water heater, including installation, will typically fall between $800-$1,500, whereas a tankless water heater with installation runs between $1,000-$3,000. There are several reasons why the tankless or “on-demand” variety cost more. The first is that installation is more time-consuming, in large part due to the venting system of a tankless heater. These units need their own exhaust flue to the exterior and require a bigger gas line than a conventional water heater. The location of the exhaust flue and the gas supply both impact the amount of time to install, as local building codes must be followed.
What are the Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters?
One of the main benefits of an on-demand water heating system is that it is much more energy-efficient than a conventional tank heater. Not only does a tank require a great deal of energy to heat, but it also uses even more energy to keep the water hot so that it is ready when needed. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, on-demand water heaters can be as much as 24-24% more energy efficient than traditional tank heaters.
Another benefit of tankless heaters is that they last 20 years compared to the 10-15 years of a conventional tank heater. So while they are a larger cost upfront for both the unit and the installation, on-demand water heaters can save you a great deal in energy costs over the course of their 20-year lifespan. Because of these energy savings, there may also be federal or local tax credits and incentives you may be eligible for when installing a tankless heater.
Quick Quality Plumbing Can Help
With all these factors in mind, tankless water heaters have a lot of advantages and are worth considering when it comes time to replace your water heating system. You can trust Quick Quality Plumbing to provide excellent service installing your new water heater. Contact us for 24/7 service in Orem, American Fork, Lehi, Provo, and the surrounding Utah County area.
