Consumers typically consider tankless water heater for their cost-effectiveness, but savings on utilities is just one of the conveniences associated with tankless water heaters. Replacing an aging central water heater can improve a homeowners quality of life in many ways. Tankless water heaters offer not just a reduced monthly budget, but also a long list of intangible benefits that make these highly efficient appliances the obvious choice over a last-generation water heater. Homeowners should consider following benefits when considering if tankless is right for their homes
Point-of-use installation
Consumers who have never seen a tankless water heater might be surprise by its size. These compact appliances are just 10 percent of the size of traditional water heaters, and this design is a boon for homeowners. The water heater must no longer be confined to the garage or utility closet, and can be installed nearly anywhere in the home. This feature allows homeowners to install tankless water heaters as close to point-of-use as possible, greatly reducing the wait time for hot water and heat wasted from water traveling through pipes, according to The London Free Press.
Limited heat loss
Point-of-use installation reduces heat loss by shrinking the distance that hot water has to travel through a home's plumbing system. However, this is not the only way that tankless water heaters help to eliminate heat waste in your home. The Capital Gazette explains that traditional water heaters function as a giant thermos. Hot water sits inside the insulated tank while fuel is burned to keep the reservoir water at a constant temperature. Heat naturally flows out of the tank over time, so homeowners are forced to pay for the constant temperature regulation. Tankless water heaters generate hot water on demand, removing this source of heat loss from the home.
No need for flushing
Tankless water heaters also require less maintenance than their traditional counterparts. Water tanks are prone to collecting sediment buildup, which can harden on the appliance's heating element and compromise heating performance. Tankless water heaters are far less susceptible to build up, and as a result homeowners are no longer required to flush the tank on a routine basis. Many tankless models are designed to keep water flowing through the tank, removing the need for flushing entirely.