How Does a Tankless Water Heater Work?
Instead of storing hot water ready for use in a tank, tankless water heaters work by heating water on-demand instantly as you need it. Whenever a hot water tap is turned on in your home, the tankless water heater instantly heats water with a gas burner, then sends the water through your plumbing system to the plumbing fixture.
Is a Tankless Water Heater Right for Me?
Depending on a few factors, upgrading to an on-demand tankless heater may be the best option for your home. Consider the pros and cons of going tankless before making your decision.
Pros of Tankless Water Heaters
They don’t take up much space. Tankless water heaters are small, wall-mounted units so they take up considerably less space than hot water tanks, giving you extra room and not taking up precious floor space.
You don’t have to wait for your water to heat up. Because tankless units heat water as you use it, you don’t run out of hot water. That means no waiting around for the hot water tank to heat up again before you can take a shower.
They save you money. Tankless heaters operate more efficiently than conventional tanks, which means you’ll see a decrease in your monthly bills, plus it is more environmentally friendly.
Cons of Tankless Water Heaters
They are more expensive up front. The cost of buying and installing a tankless on-demand water heater is more than a hot water tank. However, because of the higher efficiency of tankless models, they will save you money in the long run on monthly bills.
They have a lower capacity for simultaneous usage. While you won’t run out of hot water and have to wait for the tank to reheat, if you have a lot of people in your household wanting to use hot water simultaneously (for example, multiple people taking showers while the dishwasher is also running), you may find that your hot water will not meet the demand. Tankless heaters can provide 2-5 gallons of water per minute, which is plenty for most homes, but if you have a large household with many people using hot water at the same time, a tankless model may not be for you.
Ready to Go Tankless?
If a tankless water heater is right for your home and you are ready to upgrade, trust Lone Star to get the job done. We sell all of the top brands of tankless water heaters and have extensive experience installing them efficiently and properly. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have regarding tankless hot water heaters. Get in touch today!