Pros and Cons of Tankless Water Heaters


One of the most popular upgrades in homes today is the tankless water heater. However, this upgrade, while convenient, is not a good choice for every home. We put together a list of some of the pros and cons of tankless water heaters to help you decide if it’s a good choice for you.

Why You May Want to Consider a Tankless Water Heater

  • They save energy – Tankless water heaters can save energy. This both reduces your monthly utility bills and helps you leave a smaller carbon footprint.
  • Hot water is always available – If you ever had to take a cold shower after someone else in your home used up all the hot water, you’ll appreciate the benefit of always having on-demand warmth. Having hot water always available is probably the number one reason why people choose this upgrade.
  • They are compact – A tankless hot water heater doesn’t have a tank. This makes it smaller than a standard tank water heater. Your new water heater will not take as much valuable real estate within your home.

Reasons to Consider a Traditional Heater

  • Cost – The upfront cost of a tankless water heater can be much higher than a traditional unit. While you will save some of this money in decreased utility costs, that initial investment can be overwhelming.
  • Venting requirements – Because tankless units have high-powered burners to create hot water on demand, there are additional venting requirements. You may also need a larger diameter gas pipe if it is serviced with a gas burner. This makes installing a tankless water heater a job best left to professionals.
  • Only serves one faucet at a time – A tankless water heater only serves one faucet at a time. For example, if someone is taking a hot shower it may not be possible to get hot water in the kitchen to wash dishes at the same time. This can be quite inconvenient, especially for larger families where many people may be attending to different tasks.

As you can see, there are many benefits and drawbacks of a tankless water heater. Deciding to upgrade to one of these is a very big decision. If you’d like more information about tankless water heaters or to talk to an expert to decide if it’s right for you, reach out to us at KLEBS today. We are your local plumbing experts.