Question: Should I Consider Installing a Tankless Water Heater in My Home?

By Homeminders Expert - Brian O'Connell

Consider a tankless water heater if you need to replace your current hot water heater. Also consider a point-of-use tankless unit if you need a smaller water heater for a remote location.
Traditional 40-gallon electric or gas-powered water heaters cost between $200 and $500 and last ten to fifteen years. Tankless water heaters can last twenty years or more and cost from $200 for a point of use heater to $1,000 and up for a whole-house unit.  
Hot water comprises about 20% of household energy costs. New tankless water heaters are up to 50% more energy efficient than older tank models. If your water heater is older and non-efficient, a new tankless model can save you well over $150 per year.

Answer – From Conservation Perspective

By Homeminders Expert -  Ray Kamada

Rather than storing hot water in a tank for later use, tankless water heaters heat water only on demand. This can cut 20%–30% of your water heating costs spent on reheating cooled hot water in the tank.
Electric models have a somewhat lower demand capacity than gas models, but are more efficient. On gas models the constantly burning pilot light offsets some of the energy-saving benefit. Ask the manufacturer to find out how much gas the pilot light uses and if it can be easily turned on and off.
Point-of-use heaters used in remote locations of the house improve water efficiency. Heated water comes to the tap without having to waste gallons of cold water while you wait.

Answer – From Organizational Perspective

By Homeminders Expert - Donna Smallin
Tankless water heater units are usually about the size of a briefcase. They are ideal for small, tight spaces and less water-demanding households. Tankless units also have no risk of springing tank leaks, which may cause extensive damage to your home. The whole-house units are easy to fit on a shelf in a closet, as long as they can be properly ventilated. Point-of-use heaters are even more compact and easily fit under a sink.   

Answer – From “The Good Life” Perspective

By Homeminders Expert - Lawrence W. Smith, PhD
You may never run out of hot water in the shower again with a tankless water heater. An additional benefit of point-of-use tankless units is that the hot water flows much sooner.
However, you should note that tankless heaters may not be able to keep up with the flow of hot water when more than a couple of faucets are running, especially if the incoming water is extremely cold. And, because even the best tankless heaters can provide only enough hot water to run three faucets at once, large families and homes will likely be better off with a traditional water heater.

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