What Is a Tankless Water Heater and Should I Consider Getting One

Homes across the Wasatch Front are equipped with traditional water heaters. At some point, every one of them is going to reach the end of life. And when that day arrives, each homeowner needs to make a choice: traditional water heater or tankless model?

A tankless water heater is a viable option in Utah. Our semi-arid climate is such that winter temperatures do not get excessively frigid, meaning a tankless model should be able to keep up with the demands of most Utah families.

On-the-Fly Water Heating

As its name implies, a tankless water heater has no tank for storage. It is more or less a box through which water flows as it comes into the house. Inside that box is a heating element capable of rapidly heating water as it passes through. You get on-the-fly water heating powered by gas or electricity.

On-the-fly water heating is on-demand heating. You are not heating water throughout the day and then storing it in a tank. Water is only being heated as you need it. But is that the best choice?

Endless Hot Water

One of the benefits of a tankless water heater is having access to an endless supply of hot water. At least that’s the theory. If a tankless water heater is operating as intended, you should have no worries about running out of hot water while showering, doing the dishes, etc. But there is a tradeoff here.

Some tankless water heaters struggle to keep up with demand if multiple fixtures are being used simultaneously. You might never have to worry about running out of hot water in the shower, but only if someone else isn’t doing dishes or running the laundry. If you are trying to do both at the same time, you might be out of luck at one fixture or the other.

Tankless Water Heater Efficiency

Tankless water heaters are known for their high efficiency. As previously stated, you’re only heating water as you need it. You are not trying to maintain hot water throughout the day. A tankless model could save up to 50% of the energy you normally dedicate to hot water. However, savings closer to 30% are more common.

You also tend to get a longer life from a tankless model. Where a standard water heater generally lasts 10-12 years, most tankless models will give you 15-20 years of reliable service. That translates to additional savings by way of fewer replacements.

Installation Can Be Complex

There are two downsides to tankless water heaters we cannot ignore. The first is installation complexity. Installing a tankless model in a new build is pretty straightforward. But retrofitting an existing house is another matter. Replacing a standard water heater with a tankless model could require significant modifications. That could add to installation costs.

Speaking of installation costs, the second downside to tankless water heaters is that they cost more upfront. Even when the equipment itself is comparable in cost, installation costs also include upgrading gas lines, venting, etc. Retrofitting an older home with a tankless water heater is not as straightforward as new construction.

You Have the Option

Do you get the feeling you will be replacing your water heater in the near future? If so, we want you to know that you have choices. Here in Utah, tankless water heaters are a valid option. Consider them alongside more traditional models. If you determine that going tankless is right for you, we hope you will feel comfortable calling on Comfort Solutions to handle the installation. Tankless water heaters are right up our alley.