Tankless hotwater heater: advantages and disadvantages?
Question:We are building a home and can't decide if we should go with a tankless hotwater heater. We have two teenage daughters and don't want to end up with cold showers all the time. The other option is to just go with a larger tank hotwater heater. Any advice?
Answers:
Pro: They don't waste energy by reheating/maintaining the water heat. Many people swear BY them and some swear AT them. Cons: Initial cost for heater and energy supplies. If you will have hard water, don't get one. They easily clog from deposits in the water. Make sure you have someone that works on them. Not all plumbers will do service work due to the complexity of them.
The tankless will cost more up front, but will save money and energy in the long run. It will provide all the hot water you could ever want and will not waste energy by holding hot water in a tank.
I'd splurge for the tankless.
What type of heating and cooling are you installing. I put groundsource in and I use the rejected heat from the unit to heat my water. I have a large water heater but it is just basically a holding tank. The element really are only on day that the temp outside is just right that my heat pump doesn't run. I have a 4000 square foot home and it costs me $120 a month to heat and cool my house and I have all electric appliances. My groundsource had already paid for itself in the 5 years we have been there.
Get the large tank heater and get the extra insulation (aftermarket) that you can wrap around the heater. You will save A LOT of money on gas bills in the long run and have lots of hot water.
Tankless ones have been known to break more often and can be dangerous.
Tankless is better for the environment as you are not heating the same water over and over again, it really is the best way to go and with teenagers in the house you are going to need the endless supply of hotwater!
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