Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters: Should You Buy One?

The average hot water storage tank has an average lifespan of 10 years. This doesn’t seem like it’s a very long time, does it? Now is the time to consider the alternative: tankless water heaters. They are much more energy-efficient, and because they are a tankless unit, they take up much less space and they are easy to install. As a premier Las Vegas plumbing service, we can confidently say that there is a lot to gain from installing a tankless water heater. Ultimately, we want to inform you about how the system will benefit you as well as some of the disadvantages.

When it comes to tankless water heaters, Las Vegas plumbing companies are going to encourage you to install them. Why? More than 27 million American households currently have a hot water storage tank that is older than ten years. Once you cross a certain age threshold, your unit is not going to offer the same level of efficiency and dependability.

Many Las Vegas plumbing contractors refer to the tankless system as “on-demand water heaters” because it taps right into the water line. With a storage tank, you have to wait for the heating element to prepare your hot water supply for usage. In addition to supplying with you hot water whenever you need it, here are some other advantages of a tankless system:

Lower Energy Bills

A family of four using roughly 150 gallons of water a day is going to spend around $110 a month on monthly energy bills. What accounts for all of that usage? Energy-saving showerheads release about 2 gallons worth of water per minute, the average dishwasher uses about 6 gallons of water every time you use it, and a washing machine uses about 25 gallons of water each time it goes through a normal cleaning cycle. A lot of daily tasks and chores require that you have access to hot water that is readily available.

Tankless water heaters require 34% less energy to undergo normal operations, which can save you a considerable amount of money over time. That’s because the unit only heats water when needed, rather than idly storing hot water for you to use it later on. Most Las Vegas plumbing companies will tell you that the conventional storage tank has a reservoir of over 50 gallons, and the unit will constantly heat the water inside it. This will create standby energy loss.

Immediate Hot Water Access

As we mentioned earlier, you don’t have to wait to receive hot water – a tankless unit will dispense it immediately. Also, sometimes with a conventional storage tank, there is a delay before the hot water reaches you (this can also happen due to low water pressure). Storage tanks also tend to run out of hot water once you are 10 minutes into your shower. Also, sometimes the storage tank is located in strange areas, such as your car garage. With a tankless unit, you have more flexibility over where you want to install them because they are so compact in size.

Longevity

Tankless units are also known to last much longer than a hot water storage tank. That’s because the more traditional method tends to experience breakdowns and operational failures more frequently. For example, sediment will begin to collect at the bottom of the tank, which will greatly impact the system’s performance over time. The average lifespan of a tankless unit is upwards of 20 years, whereas a conventional storage tank tends to begin its decline after about 10 years of usage.

The Price Tag

The cost is the first thing that all the plumbing companies in Las Vegas will warn you about when it comes to tankless water heaters. The price of course will vary based on the water heater’s features, but in general, you can expect to pay more for a tankless unit. This will give you an idea of how much you will pay for the unit itself (not including the installation fee):

• Natural gas tank water heater (a best-seller at Home Depot): $429
• Tankless propane water heater (Rheem RTG-84DVP): $799

Some tankless models will soar as high as $1,300 in price. However, units that are this expensive usually include features such as a 25-year warranty and WiFi capability for you to control the temperature.

Installation Costs

The national average cost to install a tankless water heater will run you around $2,000. Many people will try to undergo a DIY installation project just to avoid the cost of hiring any Las Vegas plumbing contractors. However, you will require professional assistance. That’s because to install most tankless units, you will need to undergo retrofitting procedures. This involves the creation of a ventilation system and rerouting various pipes. You may also need to pay a charge for your professional plumber to dispose of the unit that you are replacing.

Initial Costs Will Outweigh Long-Term Savings

A tankless unit will eventually allow you to recoup all your money through energy savings, but the upfront cost might not seem like it’s worth it. However, most studies show that your tankless unit will eventually pay itself off after 20 years of usage.

Power Outages

Let’s say you install a tankless gas water heater. Although the unit doesn’t use electricity to produce hot water, it nonetheless has a control panel that requires electricity to operate. Think of this as the central nervous system of your tankless water heater. So in an emergency situation when you are without power, your unit also won’t work.

Limited Output and Other Irregularities

The output of your unit will ultimately depend on the flow rate of the water lines that lead to your various plumbing fixtures, such as your washing machine, shower, and dishwasher. Some models can accommodate multiple water-using fixtures at the same time. However, smaller capacity tankless units will struggle to supply hot water (this will depend on your daily hot water demands). You can potentially end up overtaxing the device, which means that you will only receive hot water in spurts. The best way to remedy a situation such as this is to install multiple single-point systems that provide dedicated hot water to appliances that operate independently of each other.

Installing a tankless water heater is an important decision and we want to help you make the process a lot simpler. That being said, ask any Las Vegas water heater repair service about what you should do and they will say that a tankless unit is going to benefit you tremendously. The technology is new, innovative, and offers a major improvement over the previous systems.