Is a Tank-Less Water Heater Right for You?
Most people don’t think about the hot water heater in their home at all – until it stops working. A few days of dirty dishes and cold showers will give anyone some food for thought. Assuming you own your home AND the water heater that needs replacing, you have some options to consider.
What are Tank-Less Water Heaters?
Most of us are familiar with the look of a traditional hot water heater. It’s a large, white cylinder that’s usually found in the basement. Because we never give water heaters much thought, it’s easy to just not notice the space it currently occupies.
A tank-less water heater gets rid of the big white tank and instead heats the water on demand. This is touted by the manufacturers as a way to save on energy costs because the system doesn’t work to keep a big reservoir of hot water all the time.
But the big question is: Are the savings significant?
Drawbacks of Going Tank-Less
It’s true that you can get back some floor space in the basement if you decide to replace your hot water heater with a tank-less system, and you may find your utility bills are slightly lower each month. However, there may be costs you’re not expecting. For example, people who are no longer worried about running out of hot water tend to take longer showers. There’s also the annual service appointment for a tank-less heater that runs about $100 per year.
If a 15% reduction in your gas bill only amounts to a few dollars a month, the numbers just don’t add up.
The Bottom Line
If space is at a real premium and you’re in a home with newer plumbing and good water pressure from the municipal supply, you might find that a tank-less system works for you. However, when most people really closely examine the numbers, they often find themselves sticking with the old tried-and-true hot water heater. The decision is ultimately up to you.
No matter what system you choose to heat the water in your house, Rite Tech Plumbing can help. We’re also available to help handle your plumbing emergencies. Give us a call at (250) 681-0089 and we’ll be there in a hurry!
