Nothing spoils a relaxing hot shower more than a surge of cold water, accompanied by the realization that you might need a new water heater. If your conventional unit is more than 10 years old, shows signs of leaks around the base, or operates erratically, then it’s probably time to start shopping around for a replacement.
Fortunately, when investing in a new system, you’re not limited to buying a model identical to the one you currently own. In fact, you might consider upgrading to a unit with a larger capacity, or opting for a more energy-efficient tankless unit so you can lower your monthly bill.
Helpful Tip–> Did you know that water heating can account for up to 30% of the average household’s energy costs?
A conventional water heater will hold forty to sixty gallons of hot water ready for use immediately, while a tankless water heater only generates hot water when needed. Because the tankless units don’t have to keep water hot constantly, they will use anywhere from 24 to 34 percent less energy to operate, plus they have a considerably longer lifespans than a standard unit.
Of course, with more energy efficient systems comes more affordable monthly bills. The U.S. Energy Star program estimates that converting to an Energy Star-certified, gas-fueled tankless water heater can save the typical family more than $80 per year. Not to mention, many models are eligible for a $300 tax rebate because of their environmentally friendly nature.
Other than savings, design is another key advantage of tankless water heaters. Most units have a slim design that appeal to homes with little to no space to spare.
As with any system, there are drawbacks. A long-lasting, energy efficient tankless heater will cost you almost triple the price of a standard water heater, and range in price from $600 to $2000 before installation. Plus, the gallons per minute (flow rate of water) is divided among the shower, sink, and other fixtures that may not disperse the hot water output to run all of them at once.