Water heaters are essential to a home. They provide us with hot water for showers, washing dishes, washing clothes and more. Traditional water heaters are fine, but for some, on-demand water heaters are the future. So, what are on-demand water heaters, and what are some pros and cons? Keep reading to find out.
What Is a Tankless Water Heater?
Most of us know what a water heater is. They are those large drums often in the laundry room or utility closet of a home that holds hot water until it is needed. They make using water in the home easier, but they can be large, cranky, and might not work as well as you want them to. A tankless water heater is just that — a water heater that provides you with hot water but does not have a tank.
Tankless water heaters heat water on the spot when needed and do not have a holding tank of any sort. They use either electricity or natural gas to run a heat exchanger that takes the cold water and warms it up as needed.
What Are The Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater?
The most obvious benefit of a tankless water heater is that they are small. They do not take up an entire closet or half of your laundry room. They are often mounted on the wall and provide you with an endless hot water supply on demand. They are not going to run out if your entire family decides to take a shower at the same time as traditional water heaters might do.
They are compact and can be added to any home. They are also great if you want to save money on your energy bill. They do take less electricity and gas than a traditional water heater.
Why Not To Purchase a Tankless Water Heater
They do have some drawbacks, however. First, they do have to be mounted on the wall. If you do not have a free wall, you will have to find one. They also heat up the water longer than a traditional water heater. Another thing to keep in mind is that they are going to cost significantly more when you do purchase them than a traditional water heater is going to cost.
No matter which you choose, it is always best to take the time to find a water heater that works for you. You can speak with your installer about what they recommend and what water heater they believe will fit your needs best.