We Install Tankless Gas Water Heaters

What Are Pros & Cons of Tankless Water Heaters?

Like any appliance, tankless water heaters have both upsides and downsides. Here at Winston’s, we like you to have all the facts before making a new home investment, so we’ve highlighted the pros and cons of upgrading to a tankless water heater – both of which should be weighed before making any decisions.

What are the pros of tankless water heaters?

• Improved Energy Efficiency: Unlike traditional tank models that heat and store large amounts of hot water continually, tankless models use higher-wattage burners to instantly heat only the amount of water being demanded. As a result, these units dramatically reduce energy consumption across households. This constant heating process is eliminated, so you can save money on energy bills – and create long-term sustainability for you and your family, while you’re at it.
• On-Demand Hot Water: These units feature multiple heating elements that quickly heat cold water when needed. Not only does this significantly reduce energy costs compared to traditional storage-tank systems, it also minimizes all that inconvenience and frustration associated with running out of hot water – or waiting forever for your tank to heat things back up.
• Longer Lifespan: Tankless water heaters can be a convenient and economical way of getting hot water, and with proper maintenance, they can last up to twice as long as a traditional hot water heater. That amounts to 25 to 30 years – plenty of time to recoup part of the upfront money.
• Money Savings: Tankless gas water heaters, and the NPE-A in particular, are more energy efficient than other water heaters, which means lower energy/heating bills. One reason for this is that you’re not paying to heat water throughout the day and night. Your tankless gas water heater will fire up and give you hot water only when you need it.
• Less Water Waste: Time isn’t the only thing a-wastin’ when you’re waiting for the water to heat up. Precious water is going right down the drain, along with your patience – and the money you’ll be shelling out for your water bill down the road. With a tankless gas water heater, hot water is on demand and ready when you are, so you don’t waste a thing.
• Space Savings: Water heaters have a reputation for being big, unattractive space hogs, which is just one more way they can be wasteful. When space is limited, especially in condos and apartments where every square foot is precious, tankless water heaters can make a huge difference.
• No Leaks: As water heaters age, the chances of experiencing a leak increase – and we’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t worry about water damage in their home. A relaxing night can quickly turn into a real nightmare if you have a big water heater that suddenly bursts or leaks. With tankless, there’s no need to worry because water isn’t just sitting in a tank waiting for the perfect moment to wreck your home.
• Endless Hot Water: Unlike a traditional tank water heater, a tankless system runs only when you turn on the hot water tap and can provide an unlimited amount of hot water. These systems are highly energy efficient because you’re only heating the water that you will actually use instead of wasting energy to maintain temperatures in stored tanks of hot water.  

What are the cons of tankless water heaters?

• Requires Some Upgrading: A tankless water heater sometimes requires upgrading your plumbing and/or gas lines. The existing plumbing system must be modernized, so that a sufficient amount of fuel is brought in from the designated energy source. If this necessary upgrade is not made, it can affect the tankless water heater’s efficiency level and reduce its capacity for providing a steady flow of hot water. Additionally, without an updated gas line setup, there could be insufficient airflow for effective combustion, leading to dangerous levels of pollutants being released into the home environment.
• Higher Up-Front Costs: Tankless water heaters are gaining in popularity for their energy efficiency and cost savings over time. However, these advanced water heaters come with an initial cost that may be more than traditional water heaters. Why? They typically require a larger investment into specialized components and parts that are not needed with traditional tank-style water heaters. That being said, the increased investment will pay off in the long run since these units have significantly lower running costs.
• Can’t Always Meet Demand: Tankless heaters may not meet the hot water demands of larger households or during peak usage times. If you’re looking to run multiple sinks and appliances simultaneously, then you may need more technical equipment – which comes at an even higher expense. This is a big reason why trusting an expert, who can ensure you have the right size unit for your household, is such a must.
• Hard Water Issues: In addition to the investment required for installation, many tankless water heaters have trouble operating properly in areas where hard water is common. Hard water affects not just the lifespan of a tankless water heater, but also its efficiency at heating your water.

Though there are definite advantages of going tankless, be sure to consider all potential downsides before committing. Overall, understanding how these systems work, and their associated costs, will be key to making the best decision for your home.

How Does A Tankless Gas Water Heater Work?

By now, it’s clear that tankless water heaters excel in terms of providing endless amounts of hot water – and ensuring you’re not waiting forever for this hot water, either. This makes these systems an excellent choice for countless households.

But how does this magic work exactly?

To put it simply, these systems use a heat exchanger to heat up the water as it passes through – only producing enough hot water for use, as needed. 

When you turn on a hot water tap, cold water flows into the tankless water heater through a pipe. The gas burner then ignites and heats the water flowing through a heat exchanger – a copper or stainless-steel coil that transfers heat from the burner to the water.

The heated water then flows out of the tankless water heater and to the hot water tap. Meanwhile, a thermostat inside the tankless water heater monitors the water temperature and regulates the gas burner’s intensity to maintain the desired water temperature.

Finally, when you turn off the hot water tap, the tankless water heater’s gas burner shuts off. There’s no pilot light to keep burning when the heater is not in use, which helps save energy.

What Are the Environmental Impacts of Tankless Water Heaters?

Tankless water heaters are an increasingly popular choice for households looking to save on their energy bills… but how do they affect the environment? 

These innovative systems are known for using less energy than conventional tank systems since they heat water on-demand – and avoid the standing losses associated with large tanks of hot water.

Perhaps most significantly, though, tankless water heaters will produce fewer carbon emissions since they can run off renewable resources, like solar power, avoiding fossil fuels. 

Other environmental-related pros:

Overall, tankless water heaters are an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient way to provide hot water for households. If you’re worried about their impact on your carbon footprint… don’t.