Benefits of Tankless Water Heaters
If you’ve ever been showering only for the water to run cold before you’re finished, or if it feels like your energy bills are piling up, you may be wondering whether switching to a tankless water heater is the right move for your home.
At On Point Plumbing DFW, we’ve been helping home and business owners weigh the costs and benefits if tank vs. tankless water heaters for years. With a combined 50 years of experience, we’ve encountered practically every question out there about water heaters—and most importantly—if they work as promised. Today, we’re breaking down the benefits of tankless water heaters and a few signs it’s time to make the switch.
What is a Tankless Water Heater?
A tankless water heater is an on-demand solution to a conventional water heater. Rather than a tank—as the name implies—an electric tankless water heater is a small container mounted to your wall. Except for a few small intakes and outtakes, they are contained within a small footprint in a sleek box that, at most, displays sparse details, like the temperature of the water inside.
Tankless water heaters heat water instantly, eliminating the need for a tank to store heated water.
When you turn on the tap:
- Cold water enters the unit.
- A flow sensor signals to the unit to turn on.
- A heating element (a gas burner or electric coil) rapidly heats the water.
- The heater continually supplies hot water at the set temperature until the tap is turned off.
It sounds almost too good to be true, which is why homeowners have so many questions about how tankless water heaters work. When you switch to a tankless water heater, you unlock several benefits for your home, no matter its size.
The Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater
If you’re weighing the options for your own home, here are the changes you can expect to see:
- Continuous Hot Water: This is arguably the most noticeable result of switching to a tankless heater. Because tankless water heaters operate by rapidly heating water once it’s turned on at the tap, you’re not limited by the water already available in the tank—there is none! If your tankless hot water heater is firing normally, the amount of hot water flowing from the faucet is unlimited. So, you won’t have to worry about the hot water running out while you’re showering, washing dishes, and throwing in a load of laundry all at the same time!
- Improved Energy Efficiency: The next most noticeable benefit is lower utility bills. Because heatless water tanks only operate while they’re in use (when water is running at the tap), they are much better at conserving energy than their tank counterparts. Without a tank, there’s no need to waste energy on standby heating to prevent the heated water from cooling back down.
- More Space: Tankless water heaters are mounted on your wall, in a location like your laundry room, storage closet, or garage. Without a massive tank taking up a lot of square footage, you regain that living space.
Considerations for a Tankless Water Heater
The benefits of a tankless water heater go beyond those we’ve mentioned here. But, as with anything, there are a few items to consider.
- Higher price point: Tankless water heaters have a higher upfront cost, but they do save money in the long run.
- Regular maintenance: Just like conventional water heaters require ongoing maintenance, so do tankless varieties. Tankless water heaters require descaling once or twice a year—especially if you live somewhere with hard water. Though many find this much easier than tank maintenance.
- Reduced flow rate: In some cases, tankless water heaters are more demanding on your utility system, but this is not always noticeable. If this has you on the fence, there are other ways to improve flow at the tap—call us to learn more!
Switching to a Tankless Water Heater in Dallas-Fort Worth
If you’re considering switching from a conventional water heater to a tankless one but still have questions, our team is here to help. From deciding on the best tankless water heater for your home to professional tankless water heater installation, we have you and your home covered. We’ve been working alongside DFW businesses and homeowners for a decade to solve their plumbing needs.
Book online or call us at (469) 275-6994 to get started today.
Already have a tankless water heater in your home? We also provide service for tankless water heaters.
We’re locally owned and operated, happy to service the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, including Arlington, Weatherford, Aledo, Tarrant County, and Dallas County, as well as the surrounding communities.
