subject: Pros and Cons of Using a Tankless Water Heater [print this page] Pros and Cons of Using a Tankless Water Heater
This popular product, the tankless water heater, more often known as on-demand or instantaneous water heaters, provides hot water whenever you need it. Traditional styles put the pre-heated water inside a storage tank with various shapes and sizes. However, tankless water heater do not use tanks at all!
It's obvious right? The process of heating the water happens inside the machine itself. That is the major advantage of using this product. All take place through electric, propane or natural gas heating. Electric types are considered to be more effective than gas models by 22 percent. Nevertheless, in every product there are good and bad points to consider.
The first advantage is energy savings. Tankless water heater lets you pay lesser electric bills for a long period since it will truly save the energy even though it may be expensive to pay the initial installation compared to the traditional style. In contrast to the expensive energy needed for the old style of putting water inside a tank and heating it even if no one will use. Another advantage is its unlimited and continuous provision of hot water. The water that passes the heater will instantly become hot, so there are no waiting time. Compared to the traditional style of waiting for the water to be heated.
When it comes to size, tankless water heater requires lesser space to occupy. The product is tankless, therefore there will be no need to set up a tank, just mount it to the wall and voila...it's done! According to some tankless water heater reviews there is a lesser risk of water damage in using the product. Unlike the old type of tank water heater, the only reason for any water damage on the modern model is pipe-fitting failure. The owner won't have to worry about the cost of replacement as well, since tankless water heater usually lasts 20 years or more compared to the 12 years of storage-tanks.
What about the disadvantages? There is a lag time whenever you start the faucet for hot water. Nevertheless, storage-tanks have this disadvantage as well. Next, if you will not use the hot water continuously, there will be periods of combined hot and cold water. The cause? The flow detector of the heater has seconds of delay before it turns on the electric or gas heating elements.
The last, but considered main disadvantage for most customers' budget is its cost. Its price ranges from $800 up to $1,150 with additional costs of $1,200 for installation of outlets of the following: new ventilation system, upgraded gas pipes, electronics and fan.
Based from the discussion, are tankless water heaters really worthwhile to purchase? Mainly, it is up to you to decide. There are various reviews, product types and features that you can choose from. Weigh the advantages to the disadvantages of the water heaters first, then make a reasonable decision. Truly, you won't regret purchasing one.
