Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth The Money?

If you own a conventional water heater (one with a storage tank), it works mostly by heating water to have it ready when you need it for your appliances or taps.

The problem is that you might not need it for hours, and in the meantime, the water sits in a tank in your (usually cold) basement losing heat (we call this standing loss). Insulating the storage tank will help slow this process, but it won’t stop it altogether, so eventually, the water will have to be heated a second time…which, of course, you’ll pay for.

Now, imagine a different kind of water heater – one that doesn’t store water at all. Instead, it heats water instantly when you need it – and only when you need it.

That’s how a tankless water heater works.

By operating this way, a tankless system enjoys some important advantages over conventional water heaters, including:

• Perpetual hot water – With a properly-sized tankless water heater, hot water will flow continuously for as long as your main water line keeps feeding it.
• Super-efficient operation – By working only when needed, not using a pilot light, and avoiding water reheating, a tankless water heater can improve efficiency by 40 percent or more.
• Longer-lasting equipment – With minimal exposure to corrosive water, tankless water heaters last longer – nearly twice as long on average.
• More placement flexibility – Since it doesn’t have a storage tank, a tankless water heater is about the size of a suitcase. It can also be wall-mounted, which means it can be placed just about anywhere, including closets and crawl spaces.

Should You Ever Choose A Conventional Water Heater?

As you can see, the advantages of a tankless water heater are pretty clear. So does it ever pay to choose a conventional water heater?

Sometimes.

A tankless water heater will cost more than a conventional storage water heater, so that’s certainly a factor. Of course, in the long run, the energy savings and longer equipment life make a tankless water heater a better investment – especially when you factor in incentives.

Another cost consideration is maintenance: a tankless system should be professionally serviced every year, while a storage-type system could be a bit more forgiving if you skip your tune-up.

With all of this in mind, here are some rules of thumb for choosing between a storage or tankless water heater:

• For singles or couples – If you don’t use large amounts of water and are replacing a storage water heater, investing in a storage water heater could be a better choice.
• For new construction, or for larger families and efficiency-conscious / space-challenged homeowners, tankless heaters are absolutely worth the investment. Just make sure to get a professional to help you size and install your tankless heater for years of trouble-free service.

A tankless water heater can be a great option for your Connecticut home – especially when you factor in great specials like the one we have on at Hocon RIGHT NOW! SAVE UP TO $500 on a State-of-the-Art Propane Water Heater, installed by the pros at Hocon. But hurry – this is a limited-time offer! Contact us today to learn more about propane tankless water heater installation in CT!