When the temperature drops outside, the groundwater we use in our homes becomes colder and harder to heat. Tankless water heaters have been on the market for several years, but not everyone has been eager to make the switch. For many homeowners, it can seem like an unnecessary rush to innovate an appliance that has worked well for many years. In reality, traditional water heaters are great but not necessarily perfect for every home. If you have a home with family of all ages on multiple levels, you may want to consider all the benefits tankless water heaters have to offer. If you already know the benefits of making the switch to a tankless system, you may be curious to know the many ways tankless systems perform better than traditional models.
7 Reasons Homeowners are Making the Switch to Tankless Water Heaters
- Inefficiency: Traditional tank water heaters are inefficient and occasionally wasteful. When ranked by effectiveness, traditional water heater systems only receive a 60% to 65% rating. This rating means traditional water heaters at their optimal effectiveness still experience 40% heat loss on average. By comparison, tankless water heaters do not experience heat loss as they only heat water when it’s needed.
- Operational Drawbacks: Traditional water heaters are large and take up a considerable amount of space in your home. Size limitations require traditional water heaters to be placed in locations where their size and other operational drawbacks like the heat they emit and the noises they make.
- High Energy Usage: Traditional water heaters are continuously filling and reheating water. It’s a never-ending process that uses energy around the clock. Your traditional water heater will always be pulling energy. Even when the system is full, a traditional water heater will continue working to heat the water in the tank so it remains hot.
- Hot Water Storage Limitations: If you have a traditional water heater, the amount of hot water you will have available depends on the size of your tank. The size of your storage tank will depend on the amount of space you have available to house a water heater. If the area reserved for your water heater is small, then your hot water storage will be limited.
- Sediment Buildup: If you have hard water, the storage tank on your traditional water heater could experience sediment buildup. When mineral and particulate matter travel with cold water into the tank, it sinks to the bottom of the tank, making it harder to heat water effectively.
- Shorter Lifespan: Traditional water heaters have a shorter lifespan than tankless models. While a tankless water heater can last 20 years or more, a well-maintained traditional unit may last 12 years.
- Leaks and Floods: A traditional water heater becomes more vulnerable to leaks and floods as it ages. The pressurized water eventually wears away at the storage tank and leads to leaks that can become flooding in your home.
What You Can Do Now
Water heaters serve a vital role in the average household. Indoor hot water access makes it possible for you to clean your home, wash dishes, and clean clothes. If you aren’t sure if you want to make the switch to a tankless system, our team of home services professionals can answer questions you may have about the effectiveness and reliability of a tankless water heater. Call the professionals at QHS (800) 985-8103 for help finding the perfect tankless water heater for your home.