Should I Buy a Tankless Water Heater Instead?
It’s a terrible moment when you step into the shower and find you have no hot water. Best case scenario—your spouse just ran a load of white clothes on hot in the washing machine or turned on the dishwasher. Worst case scenario—you have a broken water heater.
Everyone takes hot water for granted—that is until they no longer have it. When your hot water heater breaks in New Orleans, it can be a bit of an emergency. Before you find yourself in this situation, you may want to understand the pros and cons of a tankless water heater and whether that might be a good option for you down the road.
Our professionals at Precise Comfort & Climate Specialists have a great deal of experience and expertise in both conventional and tankless hot water technology. Here are some of the considerations when making your decision.
Advantages of Tankless Water Heater
• Reduce your energy usage. Since tankless water heaters only heat water as you actually need it, you’ll consume less energy in the long run.
• Eliminate worrying about running out of hot water. As long as you’ve selected the correct size and capacity, tankless water heaters will provide an endless amount of hot water for your needs.
• Be kinder to the environment. Tankless water heaters use less energy and release less greenhouse gases into the environment.
• Increase your home’s value. Tankless water heaters are a much-demanded appliance for home shoppers today.
• Repair, don’t replace. Unlike conventional water heaters, which often need to be completely replaced when they break down in 10-15 years time, tankless water heaters can often be repaired more easily. They also have a lifespan of 20 years.
• Say goodbye to stale water. Water is heated when you need it, so you won’t have to use stale water that’s been sitting in your hot water tank for hours.
• Free up storage space. Since tankless water heaters are compact and many models can be mounted outside, they take up much less space than the huge water tanks found in most homes.
• Avoid water leaks and damage. Without a hot water tank, you’ll no longer need to worry about water leaks and damage around your water heater.
Disadvantages of Tankless Water Heater
• Incur higher upfront costs. According to Consumer Reports, tank-style water heaters typically cost between $500 and $600, with installation costs doubling the total. Tankless water heaters can run between $500 and $1,000, with installation costs somewhere in the neighborhood of $800 to $1,500.
• Fail to generate enough hot water. If you purchase a tankless water heater that is improperly sized to your needs or those needs change over time, your tankless water heater may be unable to keep up. A tankless system can only produce as much as its flow rate allows without a tank.
• Require a power upgrade. If you live in an older Louisiana home, you may need to upgrade your power in order to have enough capacity to run a tankless water heater.
Making Your Final Decision
If you’ve decided to invest in a tankless water heater now or in the future, you’ll want to be sure you select the right efficiency level, warranty package, and capacity. Calculate your efficiency factor (EF), which is the proportion of hot water produced compared with the energy required.
When evaluating your warranty package, read the fine print. Pay special attention to how long your heat exchange is guaranteed, and be aware of stipulations regarding your parts and labor.
Finally, calculate your family’s peak flow rate by looking at the gallons per minute produced by your faucets and appliances. Be sure to select a tankless water heater that can easily meet those levels.
Contact Precise Comfort & Climate Specialists Today
If you need more information about tankless water heaters, call our professionals at Precise Comfort & Climate Specialists in New Orleans. Contact us at 504-273-0522 or request service online.