Should I Get a Tankless Water Heater?

When it’s time to replace or upgrade your water heater, it can be tough to know which type of system to choose for your household. A water heater is a long-term investment, so it’s worth researching the options and talking to your local water heater repair service company to see what’s available. 

Hot water is a basic necessity. If you need a “water heater repair service near me” in Flower Mound, TX, Strittmatter Plumbing, Heating and AC can help. Give us a ring at 940-246-2075 orvisit our website to learn more.  

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?

Conventional water heaters store heated water in a tank until you’re ready to use it. This often means residents in a home have a finite amount of hot water. As a result, taking a long, hot shower might leave the next person shivering.Tankless water heaters , however, use electric heating elements or gas burners to heat water on-demand. That means there is no need for a storage tank, and you’ll never run out of hot water. By only heating water as needed, tankless water heaters ensure that homeowners don’t need to pay for the energy it takes to keep a reserve of hot water on standby 24/7.  

The Pros of Installing a Tankless Water Heater

Tankless water heaters are growing in popularity as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional tank-based water heaters. Let’s consider the key benefits tankless water heaters provide:

• Hot Water On Demand—one of the biggest benefits of tankless water heaters is that you’ll never run out of hot water. It’s important to address the myth, however, that tankless heaters provide instantaneous hot water. While the process is quick, water still needs to travel from the heating elements, through plumbing and to your faucets. It typically takes 1–2 minutes to receive hot water from the time of turning on the tap, but this is true for tanked water heaters as well.
• Water Heater Lifespan—while the conventional water heater lasts about 8–12 years on average, tankless water heaters can last much longer. In fact, some models even come with warranties that last anywhere from 12–25 years. 
• Eco-Friendly Hot Water—since tankless water heaters only use gas or power electrical heating elements as needed, homeowners can save on energy costs while reducing their carbon footprint.
• Space Savers—without the need for a large storage tank, homeowners can free up valuable space with a tankless water heater. In some cases, tankless heaters can even be installed outside of the home.  

The Cons of Installing a Tankless Water Heater

As with most things in life, there’s another side to the coin of going tankless with your new water heater system. Homeowners will want to be wary of the following downsides of tankless water heaters:

• Cost—tankless water heaters can cost a good deal more than conventional water heaters both in terms of the initial purchase price and the cost of labor to install it. 
• Compatibility—not all homes are compatible with a tankless water heater. If you’re considering installing one in your home, you’ll want to check in with a water heater repair service first to ensure it’s the right fit for your abode.
• Delayed Savings—considering the initial cost of purchase and installation, homeowners should be aware that it can take 10–15 years to recoup the cost difference between tank and tankless water heaters. Homeowners can save up to $100 a month in utility costs, but will pay more upfront when going with a tankless option.   

Things to Consider Before Going Tankless

If the pros and cons of going tankless seem to cancel each other out, the following factors might help you make your decision: 

• Moving Soon—if you plan on moving soon, you won’t be around to reap the benefits of your investment. Homeowners who plan on putting their house on the market in the next few years following an install would be better served by a regular tanked water heater.
• Installation Time—the installation process is slightly more intense for a tankless water heater and will take more time and manpower than a conventional tank system. If you’re in the midst of an emergency and need same-day installation, a tankless system may not be the right choice for you. In some cases, installation may require retrofitting, including the replacement of exhaust piping and potential installation of a new gas line and discharge line.
• Rebates—it’s wise to look around and see if any rebates are available from local utility providers when you switch to a more environmentally-friendly tankless option.
• Maintenance—homeowners should be aware that tankless water heaters require slightly more intense maintenance, especially if you live in an area with hard water. That’s because the excess of minerals present in hard water will deposit and form a scale build-up in your water heater over time. This needs to be removed and cleaned annually to avoid the loss of heating efficiency and an eventual system breakdown. 

Find the Best Water Heater Repair Service Near Me

Strittmatter Plumbing, Heating and A/C prides itself on serving Flower Mound, TX and the surrounding areas with routine maintenance, repairs and installations in plumbing, heating and air conditioning. One of our pro technicians can evaluate your home and old system and help you decide if a tankless water heater is the best option for you and your family. You can always count on transparent, upfront pricing and honest opinions from our team. 

When you work with Strittmatter, you’ll receive a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all our workmanship. We love hearing from our customers and we encourage you to see what others have to say about their experiences working with our expert technicians. Strittmatter believes in investing in our local community, and we’re proud of our efforts to help local businesses and organizations thrive.

Homeowners will be glad to know we offer financing options and competitive maintenance plans to help cover costs and keep up with ongoing HVAC care. Call 940-246-2075 to speak to a team member today or visit us online for more information.