There are five types of water heaters and every one of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Technology is advancing fast and the goal is to use as less energy as we can to heat the water. Also, there are many types because you can’t use one for every home. It depends on how much you are using the water and how you want to store it. This type is also called on-demand because you will get heated water instantly.
Some of them are much easier to maintain which means you won’t have a water heater leak and spend money on fixing it. It is always a good idea to call a professional who can recommend what will suit your home the best. Most of them won’t charge you for this advice but installation will cost depending on the company and how complex is it.
Instant but Inconsistent
One of the biggest advantages is that after you use cold water you can almost instantly have hot because they have a really strong heating element. Because you will have what you need faster it doesn’t mean they will take a lot of space, they are much smaller than some other types. They also vary in size so you could be able to use a few home appliances and provide them with hot water. Read more here.
There was a survey which showed that the most complaints were about inconsistent temperatures. This might not be the issue if you buy something that is high quality but still, people complain about it. It happens because most of them try to use many devices that need hot water and the heater can’t supply that much.
Space Savings but Limited Hot Water
Bulky storage models are much bigger tankless water heater because they aren’t storing water. It will flow through it and heat up. If you have a smaller home it would be a great choice. You can place it in the basement and you won’t notice it there. Most people in buildings decide to buy it just because of the space problem.
You might have a steady water stream but the problem is when you need a lot of it. The tankless water heater has a limit which is marked on every product. If you live alone and you need it for washing dishes or taking a shower, standard models will work great that heat several gallons at once. If there are more people and one is washing dishes and the other one is showering you might have a problem. Most people buy something larger so they won’t have problems but it uses more energy.
Longer Lifespan with Additional Equipment
Everyone would want something that lasts longer so they won’t need to buy it multiple times. The advantage over other types is that this one has a longer lifespan. Standard models will last for a decade if nothing goes wrong but this type will function for about two decades. Maybe something better will come in these 10 years but still, you will have a functioning water heater.
If you want your heater to operate properly you would need a water softener. This means you will have some additional expenses. You would need to make extra space for the softener because they can be bulky. When you combine this extra equipment you need, you may end up with a larger space used then with a traditional water heater.
Gas Lines and Standby Loss
The type of installation required if different from traditional setup and it is more expensive no matter the size. If it runs on gas, sometimes it means that a contractor would have to reroute the gas line. The cost may not be worth it if the project is that big. This doesn’t happen that often and that’s why you need to be well-informed before you start any project.
The biggest reason why people buy it is that there is no standby loss. Other units will reheat the water when you need it which will make your bill larger. On the other hand, you can calculate when you will use it and that won’t happen. Traditional units will spend energy while you aren’t home so you will have hot water when you come.
