You might have heard the buzz surrounding tankless water heaters. You may also be wondering if you should make the switch in your home. We’ll discuss what a tankless water heater is, how they compare to traditional reservoir systems, and how they operate.

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

Tankless water heaters are what their name implies—they do not contain a water reservoir (tank) but rather, they heat water on-demand. Water enters the unit when a faucet is turned on and an element heats the water as it passes through the system. The unit itself is much smaller than traditional tanks and heats water only when needed, cutting down on size, energy usage, and waste hot water.

Advantages

Upgrading your system to an efficient tankless water heater provides many advantages such as:

  • Lower Energy Costs. Tankless water heaters use less energy since they do not work as hard as traditional units that constantly use energy heating large amounts of water. This will save money over time.
  • Unit Longevity. These units are estimated to last twice as long as tank heaters.
  • Low Maintenance. Water heater tanks require annual maintenance whereas tankless units require maintenance every few years.
  • Unlimited Hot Water. Tankless water heaters heat water on-demand at the turn of a faucet. Traditional large tank water heaters only hold a finite amount of hot water at a time.
  • Space Saver. Tankless water heaters are vastly smaller than bulky tank heaters and are usually mounted on a wall, freeing up space for storage and creating better accessibility due to placement.

Tankless Water Heater Installation

Before you install a tankless water heater system in your home, consider these factors: size, fuel type, and costs. There are two options when it comes to what powers the heater—gas or electric. You also have to consider the size of your current water tank and the volume of water you currently use. While upfront costs for a tankless system may be higher than tank heaters, their efficiency, low maintenance, and longevity will save you in the long run. Consult with a professional plumber to evaluate your current system and to discuss your installation needs.

Trust the experts at Benjamin Franklin Plumbing to handle your tankless water heater installation. Contact us today!