We all use hot water for various purposes in our homes. Lukewarm water is quite soothing and relaxing, especially on cold days and during the winter season.
The Energy Rating of the Government states that half of the total hot water will be used in the bathroom, one-third will be used in the laundry, and the rest would be utilized in the kitchen. The source also states that 25% of the total energy consumption in a household would be used to heat the water.
Yet water heating units are one of the most neglected appliances in a household. That being said, did you know that there are two types of water heating systems? They are tank and tankless heating systems.
If you consider shifting to a tankless system, you should know whether it’s worth your investment. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of shifting to a tankless water heating system so that you can decide it yourself.
Pros of tankless water heaters
1. Constant supply of hot water
A tank heating system stores only a particular portion as heated water from its total capacity. Once that portion is used, the heater will automatically reheat another portion to replace the used water.
Suppose that you use all the heated water in a tank system, then you would have to wait for a few minutes for the heater to reheat water again.
However, there is no downtime in a tankless water heating system. A tankless heating system would supply heated water instantaneously. However, a single tankless unit could produce only a limited amount of hot water at the sametime.
2. No risk of ruptured tanks
A tank heating system would store an immense amount of water. This could cause corrosion and sediment to build up over time, which could weaken the tank’s structure.
A small rupture in the tank could cause a water leak. The leak could even be small and undetectable unless you look at it closely. This could cause a spike in your water bill.
However, that is not an issue with the tankless heating system. Since there is no tank, no water leaks are caused due to ruptured tanks.
3. Eco friendly
A tank system would automatically reheat the water whenever it loses the heat. Therefore there will be much more energy consumption in-tank heating systems.
Unlike tank water heaters, tankless heaters would function only when there is a demand for hot water. The tankless systems are more eco-friendly as they save more energy when compared to tank heaters.
4. Requires small space
Tankless systems are flexible and convenient. These heaters are small in size when compared to the heaters with a tank. Therefore they can be fixed anywhere in the house where you feel convenient.
5. Saves cost in the long run
As said before, tankless systems only use energy when there is a demand for hot water. It uses less energy than tank systems. Therefore tankless systems would reduce your monthly electricity bill and reduce a significant cost in the long run.
6. Long life span
Did you know that tankless systems would have a much longer life span when compared to tank systems? The tank systems would store water. This could cause corrosion in the tank. On the other hand, they would also collect more sediments than tankless systems.
This could cause ruptures in the tanks causing water leaks. Therefore the tank systems would have less lifespan than the tankless heating systems.
Don’t get it wrong, tankless systems would also require maintenance to flush the tank out of calcium deposits and sediments. However, maintaining a small unit inside the house would be easier when compared to huge roof-mounted tanks.
7. Clean and safe
Unlike tank systems, tankless heaters do not store water. If there’s corrosion and sediments in the tank, it could affect water purity. Further, if you have less water usage in the house, then water might stagnate in the tank.
Therefore purity and safety of water in the tank systems could be doubtful. You have to be mindful especially since this water is used in the kitchen for cooking purposes.
Cons of tankless water heaters
1. Inconsistency in water temperature
The tankless heaters would supply hot water on demand. However, there can be bursts of hot and cold waters then and there during the supply. This is common in almost every brand.
Therefore if you are purchasing a tankless system, just keep in mind that there can be inconsistencies in the temperature of the water.
2. Higher installation cost
The tankless units might cost less when compared to tank systems. However, the tankless systems would incur a higher installation cost.
You might have to adjust the plumbing and electrical supply to facilitate a new tankless system. This can cause a spike in the installation cost.
3. Cannot supply hot water to multiple equipments
A single tankless unit cannot facilitate multiple fittings at the same time. If you use multiple fixtures simultaneously, there can be inconsistencies in the water temperature.
Therefore you must fix several units if you want to get hot water to multiple fittings simultaneously. This can be costly.
4. Requires regular flushing
Tankless heaters may supply hot water constantly, but they have to be maintained. Calcium and minerals would get deposited in the unit just like on taps and pipes, depending on the hardness of the water in your area.
Therefore these deposits must be descaled so that the unit can function properly. This must be done at least every six months, depending on the hardness of your water.
Is shifting to a tankless system worth your investment
Now we have come to the golden question. Let’s analyze the facts before making a decision. There are many pros of shifting to a tankless system compared to its cons.
However, the tankless systems cannot facilitate multiple fittings at the same time. Therefore it is ideal for a household with one or two individuals. If your household has more individuals and needs hot water for multiple fittings, it can be costly to fix multiple tankless units to facilitate the requirement.
In such situations, it could be better to use a tank system. But the decision is completely up to you. Before you decide, make sure to contact a licensed plumber and an electrician to get quotations and possible options you could adopt when installing a tankless system.
If you are looking for a certified electrician in Geelong, don’t hesitate to contact Mr. Electric. We have been in the industry for many years and have the experience to provide you with the best electrical solutions to your situation.
