Benefits and Drawbacks of Going Tankless

If you're considering making the switch to a tankless water
heater, you should carefully weigh the pros and cons first.

Benefits:

* Most tankless units come with a federal tax rebate of
$300.
* They never run out of hot water.
* They last five to 10 years longer than tank heaters.
* They're more efficient with no standby heat loss.
* They take up less space and can even be installed on
walls or outdoors with an anti-freeze kit.
* Smaller units can be installed under cabinets or in
a closet, closer to the point of use.
* They only need enough power to heat the amount of water
necessary at any given moment.
* You can shave as much as 20 percent from your water
heating bill.
* Electric models don't produce greenhouse gases.
* Most units are operated by remote control and have up
to four separate settings available.
* There's no possibility of flooding due to a ruptured
tank.

Drawbacks:

* They cost up to three times as much as a tank water
heater.
* Your hot water output is split among all your household
fixtures.
* You may need to add a larger natural gas line to supply
the unit with enough fuel.
* Venting gas and propane units requires expensive
stainless steel tubing.
* Electric models may require an additional circuit.
* Gas-powered units produce greenhouse gases.
* Gas units require the additional expense of an annual
servicing.
* Electric models require a lot of energy.
* They need a minimum flow rate of .5 GPM in order to
activate the heat exchanger.
* Lag time can require you to run your water in order to
get to the hot water, increasing water waste.

Other Considerations:

* Water heating accounts for about 20 percent of your
home energy budget.
* A whole-house electric model costs $500-$700.
* A whole-house gas model costs $1,000-$2,000.
* Electric models are generally cheaper to install than
gas.
* Natural gas is less expensive now, but expected to
surpass electricity in the coming years.
* A standard bathtub holds about 35 gallons, soaking tubs
hold between 45-80 gallons.

If it's time to get a new water heater and you want to know
if switching to a tankless unit will save you money in the
long run, compare the yellow "Energy Guide" stickers on your
current heater and the tankless model that best suits your
needs. This sticker will give you a good idea of what you can
expect. Then weigh in all the expense factors that come with
going tankless, including venting costs and gas line or
electricity upgrades. Once you know the total costs involved,
compare this to the cost of a new tank model and then figure
out your energy costs for each. The amount of time it will
take to make back your money with your monthly savings is
called the payback period. You should also consider that
a storage tank heater will need to be replaced again in about
ten years -- you'll get roughly 15-20 years of use from your
tankless model.