Time Saving Tankless Water Heater

Our Chas Roberts plumbers in Phoenix have often wondered: How do the benefits of a tankless water heater stack up against the costs? The reasons for installing a tankless heater are typically to a) have hot water right away and b) not run out of hot water in the middle of a shower. Are these perks really worth it?

The unfortunate truth is that monetary cost and energy efficiency are not effective ways to gauge the utility of a tankless heater. Plumbers in Phoenix know that installing one will not save you enough money to make up for the original cost, and as for the energy saved, well . . . the tankless heater does not actually save much energy compared to a tank heater. Unless you install the tankless heater at the faucet you desire, which is far more expensive, it will use only slightly less energy than the tank heater.

A tankless water heater definitely has its pros, but it may not be the most economical choice. The standard cost for a tankless heater, including installation, plumbing repairs, and all other ventilation upgrades required for the system to function properly, is around $1,200, whereas the cost of installation for a tank heater is closer to $300. A Consumer Reports study determined that the energy costs savings from tankless heaters total around $70 or $80 per year, meaning that it would take 22 years to break even, two years longer than the life of most models. However, local plumbers know that a tankless heater can make up for its cost in ways they are not monetary.

Time is of the essence, and there is not always enough time to wait for a tank heater to heat the amount of water needed in a household. Tank heaters are considerably cheaper than their tankless counterparts, but they waste a considerable amount of time, particularly for large families who juggle laundry, dishwashing, and showering all at once. The real comparison of the two models breaks down to a battle between time and money and an individual’s valuation of each.

When you have plumbing questions, local plumbers at Chas Roberts have the answers. Whether you need immediate plumbing repairs or just general plumbing advice, contact our plumbers in Phoenix today. For more cool plumbing and HVAC articles be sure to check out our blog!

Image: Steve Depolo