Has it ever happened that you had to take a cold shower because your family member, partner, or flatmate used all the hot water? We all experienced such a situation at least once in our lives. The tank has to fill back up, heat the water, and it all takes so long that you would have to leave by the time the water is hot again. On top of that, traditional tanks cool and reheat water a few times a day, which results in much higher bills. That’s why tankless electric hot water heaters are becoming more and more popular. Below you will find information about why it is worth purchasing a tankless unit, despite higher initial costs.
At first, prepare to Pay More
The initial costs are indeed higher. The best electric tankless water heater can cost you around $500. On top of that, not all homes are ready to use tankless units. In such a situation, you need to hire an electrician who will rewire your house, and the costs of it can be high – the price of this service is around $3000 if your house is small, but it can cost even more. When you sum up all these expenses and also additional costs of installing a tankless water heater, you might be terrified. Luckily for you, this is the worst part. You need to spend more at first, but in the future, you will benefit from much lower utility bills – quid pro quo.
In the long run, you will Save Money
Now that we have already covered the bad news, time to move on to things that are much more optimistic. You’ll be able to enjoy endless amounts of hot water; your utility bills will drop, and also you will gain plenty of free storage space, which you already forgot you have. According to the Department of Energy in the U.S., you are able to save almost $110 in energy annually. Now, it doesn’t seem to be much, but you will definitely feel relief when the time to pay for the bills comes.
You will Save Space
Saving money on energy is crucial. But there are even more benefits, even if you don’t necessarily notice them at the moment. For example, take a look at how much space your tank unit takes. On a daily basis, it likely doesn’t disturb you at all. But, if you take a closer look, it’s actually a lot of space, which you could utilize in so many ways. Tankless water heaters allow you to save a lot of room, thanks to their design. If you could use it, don’t hesitate any more and go for a tankless water heater. It’s a modification which you won’t regret.
The Warranty Lasts Longer
When it comes to traditional tank units, their warranty usually lasts six years. It feels like a lot, but after that time, you will likely experience a lot of problems with them. Your tankless heater warranty usually lasts much longer – up to fifteen years. It’s a lot of time, and you won’t have to worry about any issues that can hypothetically happen during that time. Notice that many people believe that a warranty is a scam. It’s not for us to judge, but keep in mind that companies will do everything so that their product works perfectly fine when the warranty is still valid. It means that tankless water heaters are of excellent quality. It’s unlikely that you will experience any problems with them at all.
Life Expectancy
It’s never possible to predict how long a water heater will last accurately. Such estimations are usually determined on average usage and upkeep. However, on average, a traditional water heater lasts around ten years. Tankless water heaters are much more durable – they will serve you for 20 and often even more years. It happens because such units are less exposed to water corrosion. Keep in mind that water quality is also a factor that impacts life expectancy. In essence, hard water can reduce the water heater lifespan by two years, so if you can remove it, your tankless water heater will last much longer. Location matters as well. If you’re planning to install it, for example, in the garage, it will have to work harder, and therefore break faster.
Now you know what the benefits of purchasing tankless water heaters are. Of course, it’s an investment. The initial costs of product and installation are very high. You also have to get ready for a possible cost of house rewiring. However, if you don’t mind it, your utility bills in the future are going to decrease, which is the biggest advantage of having a tankless water heater. Your unit will work longer than traditional water heaters, and on top of that, it will have a warranty during most of its lifespan. Besides, you gain a little additional space, which is always good to have. Purchasing a tankless water heater will provide you with all of the above benefits, so if you can afford initial costs, it’s definitely worth it.