What is the downside of a tankless water heater?

By Robert Flores / October 26, 2022

In addition to high upfront costs, tankless water heaters have several other disadvantages compared to tank-style water heaters: they take longer to deliver hot water. the water temperature is inconsistent when multiple outlets are on simultaneously. they cannot provide hot water during a power outage. Oct 16, 2022

Is it worth switching to a tankless water heater?

According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, a tankless water heater is more efficient and uses less energy than a conventional water heater, providing a $25 to $107 in annual savings. If your hot water use is low (less than 41 gallons per day), a tankless water heater will be 24% to 34% more efficient. Jun 4, 2021

What is the most common problems with tankless water heaters?

Here are six of the most common problems and maintenance concerns for tankless water heaters: Mineral Buildup. System Overload. Cold Water Sandwich. Air Supply or Exhaust Blockage. Ignition Failure. Flame Failure. Mar 9, 2022

Which is better tankless or regular water heater?

According to Energy.gov, β€œFor homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Tankless water heaters (if gas-fired) will save homeowners over $100 annually the longer they remain in service.

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Do tankless water heaters increase electric bill?

Tankless heaters can be 8-14% more energy-efficient for households that use around 86 gallons daily. Installing a tankless heater at each hot water outlet, Energy.gov says, can increase tankless water heater energy savings by up to 27-50%. Oct 6, 2016

What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 4?

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need For A Family Of 2, 3, 4, 5, Or 6? Number Of Family Members: Gas Tankless Heater Size (GPM) Electric Tankless Heater Size (kW) What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 3? 7-9 GPM 15-23 kW What size tankless water heater do I need for a family of 4? 8-10 GPM 20-28 kW 3 more rows

How many years does a tankless water heater last?

Longer Product Life Some people hesitate to decide on a tankless water heater because they can be a slightly higher cost; however, you get significantly more life out of one. A standard water heater tank lasts about 8-12 years. A tankless water heater can last as long as 25 years!

What is the average cost to install a tankless water heater?

The typical range for tankless heater installation is between $4500 and $6500 averaging out to around $5,500 (including the water heater, warranty and tune ups). The tankless installation without the unit can cost between $1800 and $3500, averaging out to around $2650. One of the big variables is labor rates. Aug 26, 2022

Where should tankless water heater not be installed?

You should avoid installing your tankless water heater in a location prone to excessive humidity, moisture, or dust, or in an area where it may be splashed with water or other liquids. Do NOT install under water pipes or air conditioning lines that might leak or condense moisture that could then drip onto the heater.

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Can you run out of hot water with a tankless water heater?

Although a tankless system can’t run out of hot water, it can still be overwhelmed with demand. A single tap won’t do this: run that single shower all you want, you’ll keep getting hot water. (But please don’t do this! Save water, save energy!) Sept 11, 2017

Why do tankless water heaters burst?

An Explosion Caused by Gas Leaks Gas tankless water heaters can cause a catastrophic explosion if there is a gas leak around the gas valve or gas piping. When a gas tankless water heater begins to leak, an electrical spark from any nearby source might be enough to cause an explosion. Dec 28, 2020

Does cold weather affect tankless water heater?

If the water is colder, the tankless water heater can’t provide as much hot water per minute because it takes longer to heat it. Just like it would take you longer to cook frozen food than refrigerated food. Dec 21, 2021

Can a tankless water heater fill a tub?

Yes, usually. A tankless water heater can provide hot water indefinitely, which means it will fill up the tub. However, you still need to consider how fast the heater can provide the temperature of water you want. Faucets work by mixing in hot water with the cold. Feb 22, 2022

How much electricity does a tankless water heater use?

Key points. Most American families use around 50 gallons of hot water per day. To meet this demand, an electric tankless water heater will use 9–12 kWh of electricity. An electric tankless water heater needs about 3 kWh of electricity to heat a 10-minute shower. Jan 21, 2022

What size of tankless water heater do I need?

For a home with 1 bathroom, we recommend 6-7 GPM; 2 bathrooms, 8 – 9 GPM; and 3+ bathrooms, 9-11 GPM. In our experience, smaller 4-5 GPM units are suitable for studio apartments and small one bathroom homes or other application specific needs.

What is the most efficient type of water heater?

Heat pump and solar water heaters are overall the most energy-efficient types while condensing gas water heaters are the most energy-saving gas-fueled appliances. Mar 30, 2022

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Which type of water heater is best?

Since heat pump water heaters draw their heat from the surrounding air instead of working to generate it, they are much more energy efficient. In fact, they can be two to three times as efficient as a standard storage tank water heater. Oct 27, 2021

Which is cheaper to operate gas or electric tankless water heater?

Operating Costs Fuel Cost – Currently gas prices are lower than electricity in most areas. This makes the overall operating costs less expensive for a gas tankless water heater. Keep in mind that fuel prices vary in different regions. In some areas the price of gas is much higher than electricity.

Can I replace my 40 gallon water heater with a tankless water heater?

This is simply due to the fact that tank water heaters are constantly heating and reheating 40-75 gallons of water while your tankless only operates on demand. With the help of a professional you can easily convert from a tank water heater to a tankless water heater. Feb 18, 2021

How do I choose a tankless water heater?

There are two things you need to consider before purchasing a tankless water heater: the flow rate, meaning the water measured in gallons per minute (GPM) for a fixture or appliance, and the temperature rise, which is the difference between the groundwater temperature and the desired hot-water output temperature.

Resources

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Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth The Investment?


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Tankless vs. Traditional Water Heaters | Which is More Energy Efficient?

What Size Tankless Water Heater Do I Need? (2,3,4,5,6 Family)

The Pros and Cons of a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless Water Heater Installation Cost (2024)


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Dangers of Gas Tankless Water Heaters

Does a Tankless Water Heater Work Well in Cold Climates?

Can a Tankless Water Heater Fill an Oversized Bathtub?


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What Type of Water Heater Is Most Energy Efficient?


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Gas vs. Electric Tankless Water Heater: Which is Best?


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About the author

Robert Flores