Some people in this world live in small spaces and want to have the luxury of a hot shower while others live in large houses with sprawling, yawning bathtubs. If you fall into the latter category then a tankless water heater might be for you.

But before you go out and buy one, consider if your home has enough room for it and how much it will cost you. It is not only planning ahead by considering these scenarios that will help make your decision easier, but also by getting advice from someone who knows more about them than anyone else. There are many benefits which tankless water heaters provide which should be considered when buying one, such as increasing both energy efficiency and savings on heating bills.

What is a Tankless Water Heater?

A tankless water heater heats water efficiently. It works by using a small amount of energy to heat the water in your hot water tank to a precise temperature, which it will maintain throughout the day. The heating takes place continuously and your hot water is continually available. Tanks that have been installed in the past were developed for large buildings and not homes, so they never took into account how much space larger houses would require, so if you live in an old-fashioned house without a lot of room then this might not be suitable for you.

Less Energy Waste

A tankless water heater is a good way to make sure your hot water supply is available all day long. It uses less energy than a typical tank water heater and can save you up to 80% on your heating bills. Because of this, it is especially suited for homes that have very small bathrooms, because there will be no space for a conventional tank water heater. By having one installed in your home you will save money on electricity too, as it provides more efficient heating. It also means that the heating system in your home will not have to work at maximum capacity when people are taking showers or baths at peak times when they expect hot water all day long.

Less Hot Water Waste

Aside from energy costs, there are many other reasons why you should consider installing a tankless water heater in your home. For example, an advantage is that you won’t have to wait around on a cold day for the hot water tank to heat up enough to provide you with hot water. Sometimes it takes a while for the hot water to come out of the tap and if this is happening in your home then you might be tempted to turn it off and use warm or cold water. But by using a tankless water heater then you can choose exactly how much hot water you need without wasting energy or money.

Cons

However, there are some cons to using a tankless water heater. For example, it might take a while for your hot water supply to be available. The average wait time is around 30-40 seconds but in scenarios where there is peak usage of your hot water this can be more like three minutes or more waiting for the hot water to come out of the tap.

If you have children who go to bed and get up early then they might not like having to wait even longer than normal to have a warm shower in the morning. The other con is that if you live in an area with traditional plumbing then you will need more room than those who have newer technology installed rather than outdated systems such as copper pipes.

Is Your Home Suitable?

If you feel that a tankless water heater is right for you then it might be worth considering installing one at home. By looking at the pros and cons of this type of heating system you might be able to decide whether or not it is suitable for your family. If you are wondering whether your home is suitable for a tankless water heater, then consider the following.

• 1) Type of Plumbing System: What type of plumbing do you have in your home? You will need to look into what is available and decide if they are new enough to accommodate a tankless water heater.
• 2) Space: If you are wondering about the space available in your home, then here are the measurements to consider. A tankless water heater requires a lot of room in your home. If you have a small bathroom then this might not be suitable because it won’t have enough room for the device itself.
• 3) Energy Efficiency: You will have to look at the energy efficiency rating of both your existing water heater and your tankless system so that you can compare how much more energy they require over each other. You should only go for a new hot water tank when you know that you will be saving money on your heating bills and have enough space for it in your home.
• 4) Your Hot Water Usage: You need to consider how much hot water you are using each day. If you have a family of four who love to take baths at the same time then this might not be the most energy-efficient way to heat your hot water supply. However, if you only ever use a small amount of hot water at any given time then using a tankless heater is right for you!
• 5) Propane Heaters: If your area uses propane more than natural gas for heating purposes then you might be able to convert your regular water heater into a tankless one. However, always make sure that any propane heater is properly vented and safe before installing one in your home.

Conclusion

It really comes down to your budget and the size of your home. If you have a large home that is always in use then you will need a tankless water heater that has plenty of energy efficiency. But if your home is only occupied during certain hours of the day, then this could save money rather than buying a new hot water tank for an old system.