The Pros & Cons
Are you in the market for a new hot water system? Why not consider switching to a tankless hot water heater.
What Is A Tankless Hot Water Heater?
As the name suggests, a tankless hot water heater is a hot water system that does not use a storage tank. Instead heating and storing water until it is needed like a traditional hot water system, tankless hot water systems heat water as it is needed.
Tankless hot water heater typically operate using natural or propane gas, however, there are also electric tankless hot water systems available.
Whether you need a tankless or storage hot water system, Sun City Hot Water & Plumbing has got you covered. We provide reliable hot water and plumbing services Sunshine Coast and North Brisbane wide. Call us today on 1300 728 122 for all of your hot water needs.
Advantages Of Switching To A Tankless Hot Water System
Water Is Heated On Demand
One of the main benefits of switching to a tankless hot water system is that the water is heated on demand. Tankless hot water systems heat the water once the hot water outlet has been turned on, which means you can have an endless supply of hot water. Conversely, traditional hot water systems will heat one tank of water, and once that has run out you will have no hot water until a new tank can be heated.
Compact Size
Another benefit of tankless hot water systems is their compact size – ideal if you’re building a new home with limited space. Unlike storage tank systems, tankless hot water heaters do not require the large water storage tank. This means that tankless units are around the size of a small suitcase. Additionally, tankless hot water heaters can be wall mounted, taking up no floor space at all.
Energy Efficient
Tankless hot water systems are also more energy efficient than their storage hot water system counterparts. In fact, tankless water heaters use approximately 30 to 50% less energy than storage water heaters, saving a typical family $100 or more each year depending on their water usage.
This is largely due to the fact that tankless hot water heaters only heat water as needed. Conversely, storage tank hot water heaters heat a whole tank of water and then use more energy throughout the day to maintain the water temperature as heat is lost through the walls of the tank.
Longer Lifespan
Although tankless hot water heaters have a higher upfront cost than traditional water heaters, the expected lifespan of a tankless system is approximately 20 years, whereas, traditional hot water heaters have a lifetime of around 10 years.
Disadvantages Of Switching To A Tankless Hot Water System
Higher Unit Cost
The biggest downside when it comes to switching to a tankless hot water system is the high upfront cost when compared to a storage hot water system.
Although the smaller tankless systems on the market are not too expensive, they will not be able to produce enough hot water for a medium to large sized household so the initial cost of a correctly sized tankless hot water heater will be significantly higher than a comparable storage system.
However, the higher initial cost of a tankless hot water system is made up for in the lower running costs typically within the few years of use.
Higher Installation Cost
Additionally, tankless hot water systems generally cost more to install. This is because the high powered burners in a tankless system require a dedicated, sealed vent system, so it is important to get a quote for a fully installed system before making the switch to tankless.
Reduced Flow Rate
As tankless hot water systems heat water as needed, when multiple hot water outlets are being used at the same time (eg. running the dishwasher while showering) water pressure from the outlet may be reduced. However, choosing a larger system or adding a supplementary tankless hot water system can prevent reduced flow rate when multiple outlets are used simultaneously.
Your Local Hot Water Specialists
Sun City Hot Water & Plumbing are your local hot water specialists. We offer quality plumbing and hot water services including hot water system installations, repairs, replacements and servicing. Call us today on 1300 728 122.
