Should You Consider Getting a Tankless Water Heater? | Fullerton, CA

What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
Tankless water heaters are exactly what they sound like, which is to say, water heaters that have no tanks in which to hold hot water. Instead, tankless systems heat the water that passes through them in an instantaneous manner, which is a change that comes with both pros and cons. As such, if people in Fullerton, CA are planning to replace their current water heater, they might want to look into tankless systems to see whether said devices are right for their particular circumstances or not.
What Are the Pros of Tankless Systems?
Here are some of the pros of tankless systems for interested individuals:
•  Savings in the Long Run
Tankless water heaters tend to have lower operating costs than their counterparts. Primarily, this is because they can just heat water as needed rather than having to keep an entire tank filled with water at a certain temperature. As a result, tankless systems can help interested individuals reduce their energy bill, which can mean a lot of savings as well as a smaller carbon footprint in the long run. Something that can be very important for those who are concerned about being environmentally-friendly. With that said, it should be mentioned that tankless systems aren’t always better than their counterparts in this regard because there are various changes that can be made to reduce operating costs in both cases. For instance, a standard water heater can have very low operating costs when its tank has been very well-insulated.
•  Unlimited Hot Water
There is no need for someone with a tankless water heater to be concerned about running out of hot water. After all, such water heaters aren’t drawing on a limited supply of hot water that takes time to replenish but are designed to just heat more water as the need comes up. Considering how reliant we are on hot water for our daily routines, this can make an enormous difference when it comes to convenience, particularly for those who make more use of hot water than most.
•  Less Need for Physical Storage Space
Since tankless water heaters are tankless, there is less need for physical storage space. Something that should come as welcome news for those who are short on space. In fact, it is interesting to note that some people like to have multiple tankless systems for increased convenience when they need hot water. This sounds like it would take up a huge amount of space, but since a lot of tankless systems are so compact that they can be mounted either on the walls or within the walls, this is nowhere near as bad as what a lot of people would assume based on initial consideration.
•  Smaller Chance of Water Damage
Like everything else, water heaters experience wear and tear when they are used. As a result, there will come a time when even the best-built water heater will have some kind of problem that necessitates immediate water heater repair from trusted professionals. Sometimes, the problem is unpleasant but not a huge threat, with an excellent example being rusty water. Other times, well, suffice to say that a leak can let out a lot of water within a very short period of time, which can have horrendous consequences for entire sections of an impacted building. Tankless systems don’t store hot water in tanks, meaning that there is a smaller chance of the hot water leaking out to cause complications for everything around them.
What Are the Cons of Tankless Water Heaters?
In contrast, here are some of the cons of tankless water heaters for interested individuals:
•  Higher Startup Costs
The problem with tankless systems from a financial perspective is that they have higher start-up costs. This is particularly true in buildings that weren’t designed for tankless systems, meaning that they might not be compatible with them without further expensive and time-consuming changes. Due to this, it can take some time before the lower operating costs of tankless water heaters can pay for their higher start-up costs, which is definitely something that should factor into interested individuals’ decision-making. For instance, if a homeowner in Fullerton, CA knows that they are going to move in a few years’ time, they might need to run some calculations on whether the lower operating costs will be worthwhile for them or not.
•  Start-Up Delay
There can be a start-up delay with tankless systems, meaning that interested individuals will have to wait a little bit longer before they can get the hot water that they need. With that said, this is another example of a factor that may or may not be applicable depending on the exact water heater in question. For example, there are some tankless systems that come with heat stores to speed up the process. Likewise, there are some people who have been known to use hybrid water heaters that are meant to cover the weaknesses of each option through the strengths of the other.
•  Can Be Unsuitable for Intermittent Use
On a related note, there are some examples of tankless systems that aren’t particularly well-suited for intermittent use. Essentially, they are fine for continuous use because they are heating the necessary water on a continuous basis. However, when they are used in an intermittent manner, the slight start-up delay can be a source of irritation. On top of that, the rapid heating and cooling will increase the stress placed upon the hot water pipes, which can cause them to deteriorate at a faster rate.
Contact Us
People in Fullerton, CA who are considering a tankless water heater should contact us as soon as possible. This is because the term covers a wide range of devices meant for use under a wide range of circumstances. As a result, they can expect a much better choice with a much better outcome who they consult the expertise and experience of trusted professionals such as those of bluefrog Plumbing + Drain of Orange County, CA.
Photo By mavo at Shutterstock