Master Plumber’s Guide to Tankless Water Heaters

Rather than storing large amounts of heated water in a tank, tankless water heaters heat water as it flows through the unit. When a hot water fixture is turned out, cold water is brought into the water heater through a pipe. As it passes through, either a gas burner or electric heating element heats the water. This means tankless water heaters can deliver a constant supply of hot water on demand.

Most homeowners go with tankless water heaters because they are more energy efficient, which is better for the environment and your bank account. Tankless units can reduce energy use by 24-34%. They also have a much higher lifespan, outlasting conventional water heaters by 10-15 years. Even though tankless water heaters are more expensive upfront, the energy savings and longer lifespan can result in a lower overall cost. In addition to cost savings, tankless water heaters take up less space and can be installed in tight areas. They can even be installed on the exterior of your home. Finally, tankless water heaters provide hot water right when you need it and don’t run out of heated water. They can continuously deliver a supply of hot water for as long as you need.

As we mentioned, tankless water heaters have a higher upfront cost. If you are switching from a conventional water heater to a tankless model, installation can also be expensive. The other major downside is that tankless water heaters can be output challenged. While they produce a constant supply of hot water, they can only produce so much hot water at a time. It’s important that you install a tankless water heater that is sized for your home, so you don’t create too much/too little demand when running multiple fixtures at one time. 

Most homeowners choose to locate them where their old water heater was, but tankless water heaters are very small and flexible in their placement. However, tankless water heaters do have very particular venting requirements as they vent more exhaust than conventional water heaters. You will need to consult with a licensed plumber on the specific location in or outside your home to ensure venting requirements can be met.

Tankless water heaters can stay in healthy operation for up to 20 years, which is often double the lifespan of a conventional water heater. With proper maintenance, some tankless water heaters are even outliving their 20-year expectation. With inflation rising, the sooner you switch over to a gas tankless water heater system, the better you will be in the long run. Contact Reliant Plumbing today and make an appointment with one of our water heater specialists.