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For the right home, a tankless water heater can be a great investment. However, thanks to a few big drawbacks, they’re still not right for everyone.
Take our test and see if it’s time for you to take the plunge.
1. Can you afford a bigger upfront cost?
Tankless water heaters can save you money in the long run, but cost up to twice as much as a tanked heater to install.
2. Have you had a tankless water heater before?
Retrofitting your plumbing to handle a tankless water heater can add to the installation cost, but you only have to do it once.
3. Will you stay in your home more than 10 years?
Tankless water heaters come with much longer warranties. Expect 12-15 years, instead of about six years for a standard water heater. Their lifespans can also be significantly longer.
4. Do you use a lot of hot water at the same time?
Tankless water heaters can typically produce 2-5 gallons of hot water per minute, which limits how many people can use it simultaneously.
5. Could you use the extra space?
Tankless water heaters are a lot smaller than tanked ones. If space is at a premium, it can make a difference.
6. Do you ever run out of hot water?
One of the biggest benefits of a tankless water heater is that the water never runs out. But if you don’t use enough hot water for that to be a problem, then you won’t even notice.
7. Do you have soft water?
Hard water and tankless water heaters don’t mix. If you do have hard water, plan to descale your heater about once a year.
8. Do you have a good plumber?
Tankless water heater repairs can be a little more complicated, and they also require special parts. Make sure you have a plumber who can handle it.
