7 Things You Should Know About Tankless Water Heaters

Hot water is one of those things everyone takes for granted in our modern society. A hot shower on a cold winter evening is relaxing. Hot water washes away dirt from laundry and grease from pans. And hot water comes in handy as an emergency defroster.

Most homeowners in Indianapolis are accustomed to reserving a corner of their basement or utility closet for a huge water heater tank. Cold water enters the tank, gets heated to a certain temperature, and is either used or slowly cools down. If it is not used, it needs to be reheated.

Our team at Godby Plumbing Heating Electrical wants you to know about tankless water heaters, which avoid this wasted energy by heating water only on demand. When water is turned on, the flow runs through the unit where an electric element heats the water as it passes through. Although a tankless water heater is more expensive on the front end than conventional water heaters, it is more energy efficient in the long run. Here are seven things you should know about tankless heaters.

1. Energy Usage Drops

Regardless of whether you heat your water with natural gas, electricity, propane, or some other fuel, tankless water heaters use less energy. Instead of heating water only to let it cool down when you’re not using it, a tankless water heater operates on demand. When you request hot water in the shower, in the kitchen, or in the laundry, the tankless water heater prepares just the water you need and no more.

2. One Less Thing to Juggle

When hot water is limited to how much your water heater tank can hold, you may find yourself juggling when each family member showers or when you run your dishwasher or washing machine. Since tankless water heaters produce hot water on demand, you don’t have to schedule these daily tasks any more or worry you’ll run out of hot water when you need it most.

3. Gentler on the Environment

Any time you can save energy, it’s better for the environment and makes a difference in Indiana as well as whatever corner of the world you may be in. Besides being an energy-efficient appliance, tankless water heaters emit fewer carbon dioxide gasses and contribute to overall water-conservation efforts around the country.

4. Demanded Feature on Resale Market

If you plan on selling your home at some point in the future, a tankless water heater can be a good investment. Many home buyers would be attracted to this newer technology, especially one that has already been paid for and installed in a house they are considering buying. In the meantime, you and your family can enjoy an endless supply of hot water while watching your monthly energy bills drop.

5. Longevity and Durability

While most conventional water heaters have an average lifespan of eight to 10 years, tankless water heaters usually last twice as long according to the US Department of Energy (DOE). In addition, they are designed to be repaired and worn-out parts can be easily replaced. With these tanks, you also eliminate the worry about water leaking from a full tank and the resulting damage that could occur.

6. Fresher Water

Since water is heated only on demand, it is not sitting in a water heater tank for hours or perhaps even days if you’re out of town. This eliminates using stale water for your hot water needs. You may notice a difference in your overall hot water quality.

7. More Space

Hot water heater tanks take up a fair amount of space in your home. By contrast, a tankless water heater unit is significantly smaller and some models can even be mounted outside your home. This can free up room around your other appliances or provide additional storage space.

Contact the Tankless Water Heater Experts

If you have questions or want to learn more about tankless water heaters, call our team at Godby Heating Plumbing Electrical in Indianapolis, IN. We can brief you on the pros and cons and help you make the right choice. Call us at (317) 471-8700 or request service online. When it comes to your home’s plumbing needs, remember, “It’s Gotta be Godby!”