Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heater in Barrhaven
Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heater in Barrhaven
Energy-efficient home upgrades come up more and more as homeowners try and find some energy savings on their utility bills. How you get a hot water supply to your home will play a big role in those energy costs. Hot Water Ottawa is here to help you decide what solution is best to make sure your hot water tap is always there for you
There are two main hot water heater solutions available on the market right now- conventional water heaters hold water in a tank and keep it hot until you need it. Tankless water heater systems heat water on demand when you turn the tap on and therefore don’t require a holding tank.
Hot Water Ottawa is here to help Barrhaven homeowners decide which hot water solution is best for them, with all the information you need to make your decision. We have outlined the pros and cons of tankless water heaters below to help your decision. Our team of hot water experts is always here to help with advice and the installation of your hot water system.
Pros Of Installing A Tankless Water Heater
Hot Water on Demand
The convenience of a tankless water heater is that you’re always sure to have instant hot water. Because a standard tank water heater heats water and keeps it ready for you to use, if you have a tank that is too small for your family, you will need to wait for it to refill and get to temperature before you have hot water again. Tankless water heaters have no storage tank. They instantly heat your water and distribute it to your tap or shower. Do four people like showering in the morning? No more arguments on who ends up with the cold shower. Endless hot water for all!
Lower Energy Bills
The great thing about tankless systems is in the name- no tank! Your energy bills spend most of your hard-earned money on traditional water heaters to keep your huge tank of water hot and ready to use. In addition, the older Barrhaven homes tend to lack insulation in the basements or utility closets they are usually in, making your tank work even harder to keep your hot water at the proper temperature until you need it. This is a huge weight on your utility bills, using far more energy than necessary.
Tankless water heaters cost much less in the long run as they use much less energy, only needing to heat water as it’s used. They did a study on the energy efficiency of tankless water heaters, which is very interesting!
Longer Lifespan
An added benefit of a tankless water heater is they last upwards of 20 years. This is a big difference from the 10-15 years that a tank water heater is expected to last. A conventional water heater has more mineral buildup in a hot water tank; pieces like the anode rod and internal tank will rust and fail. Because a tankless water heater has no water storage tank, it has a much longer lifespan.
Space-saving
The space-saving benefit is the last on the list of tankless water heater pros and possibly the most obvious. Hot water heater tanks are usually 60-80 gallons and need space all around to connect and maintain the unit. That requires some space, which is always in demand! Tankless units are typically wall-mounted and use approximately 24 square inches of space. This makes tankless water heaters an easy choice for small homes.
Cons Of Installing A Tankless Water Heater
The cons of tankless water heaters exist, though we may be biased in saying they don’t typically outweigh the pros!
High upfront costs
For all their benefits and cost savings due to their energy conservation, a tankless system does have a higher upfront cost compared to traditional units. A new water heater is not cheap, but the initial costs can play a huge role in what you choose. It’s important to note that in the long-term, a tankless water heater costs less as it has a longer lifespan, as well as energy-efficient features, which means savings on your utility bills. This can be hard to see when you work out the initial costs as well as the higher installation costs.
There are also programs to help with the cost of energy-efficient upgrades to your home with the Canada Greener Homes Grant.
Regular maintenance
While Barrhaven doesn’t have particularly hard water, you will still need to maintain your tankless water heater to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Hard water will leave mineral deposits behind, and though the damage is much faster in a traditional water heater, tankless heaters also need attention.
The descaling process can be a long one, as you run a vinegar-water mix through your system to clean out the mineral deposits and other gunk buildups. Flushing the tankless unit will also help with its lifespan and upkeep.
Limited Supply
As we mentioned before, a tankless hot water heater heats your cold water instantly when needed. If you’ve done a load of dishes while your family takes a shower after putting laundry on, it won’t drain a tank. It’s important to note that there is still a limitation to the flow rate. If you have every tap running hot water, someone showering, and the dishwasher on a hot water cycle, it may be too much for your tankless water heater. It’s not a question of it having enough hot water but a question of being able to pump out the hot water fast enough.
Our hot water experts can come to your Barrhaven home to evaluate your needs, family size, and plumbing setup to suggest the right tankless water heater for your situation.
Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It In Barrhaven?
Tankless water heaters in Barrhaven? A loud, resounding yes!
Whether you’re interested in a tankless gas water heater or an electric tankless water heater, it is well worth installing! Skip the storage tanks that will fail quickly. A tankless heater uses less energy, heating the water you use and giving you hot water on demand! The tankless system needs installation by a professional plumber to be sure it’s done correctly.
There are plenty of excellent tankless brands to choose from, such as Noritz, Bosch, and Vesta. Each has its features and choices between a great electric model and top-quality gas units.
It won’t be long before your wallet is thanking you for conserving more energy, space, and worries!
