What is the downside of a tankless water heater?

The main disadvantage of tankless water heaters is their upfront cost (unit and installation) is significantly higher than tank-style heaters. Including installation, tankless water heaters cost 3 times more than tank-style water heaters on average.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on prudentreviews.com


What is the most common problems with tankless water heaters?

Most Common Problems With Tankless Water Heaters
  • Overload. Every tankless water heater has a flow rate capacity that should give you a good idea of how much hot water can be used simultaneously. ...
  • Cold Water Sandwich Effect. ...
  • Mineral or Sediment Buildup. ...
  • Flame or Ignition Failure.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thewaterheatercompany.com


Is it worth getting a tankless water heater?

Tankless: Gas and electric tankless water heaters run more efficiently than the conventional water heaters of the same fuel type. We rated the annual energy consumption cost Excellent for a gas model but only Fair for an electric, but both rate Very Good for energy efficiency.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on consumerreports.org


What's the pros and cons of a tankless water heater?

Are Tankless Water Heaters Worth It? 10 Pros and Cons
  • Pro #1: Instant Hot Water. ...
  • Con #1: Inconsistent Temperatures. ...
  • Pro #2: Longer Lifespan. ...
  • Con #2: Higher Initial Cost. ...
  • Pro #3: Lower Month-to-Month Costs. ...
  • Con #3: Limited Hot Water Supply. ...
  • Pro #4: Space Savings. ...
  • Con #4: Additional Equipment is Often Necessary.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ygrene.com


Can you run out of hot water with a tankless water heater?

Although a tankless system can't run out of hot water, it can still be overwhelmed with demand. A single tap won't do this: run that single shower all you want, you'll keep getting hot water. (But please don't do this! Save water, save energy!)
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on markcarpenterplumbing.com


TANK vs TANKLESS WATER HEATER (Pros and Cons)



What maintenance is needed on a tankless water heater?

Tankless Water Heater Maintenance
  • Flushing the System. The hot water heater should be flushed at least once a year. ...
  • Cleaning the Air Filter. In your tankless water heater, there is an air filter that will need to be cleaned regularly. ...
  • Cleaning the Water Filter. ...
  • Cleaning the Tank.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on theoriginalplumber.com


How big of a tankless water heater do I need for a family of 5?

In short, a family of 5 would need a 10 GPM gas tankless heater or 27 kW electric tankless heater if you live in the northern part of the USA, where the input water has a lower temperature. The tankless heater has to work extra hard to bring the water temperature up to 110˚F or 120˚F.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on learnmetrics.com


What is the lifespan of a tankless water heater?

How Long Does A Tankless Water Heater Last? Tankless (“on demand”) water heaters are energy savers. They do not have a storage tank, but instead heat water as needed. Because there's less wear and tear, tankless models last at least 20 years, and longer with good maintenance.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on drhvac.ca


Which is better a tank or tankless water heater?

According to Energy.gov, “For homes that use 41 gallons or less of hot water daily, demand (or tankless) water heaters can be 24% to 34% more energy efficient than conventional storage tank water heaters.” Tankless water heaters (if gas-fired) will save homeowners over $100 annually the longer they remain in service.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on petro.com


Why is tankless water heater installation so expensive?

Tankless water heaters have a higher initial price compared to tank heaters, costing homeowners between $1,200–$3,500. The higher cost is a result of a more labor-intensive set-up, as new gas and water lines are required for installation. For electrical tankless heaters, new electric wiring will need to be installed.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on thisoldhouse.com


How long does it take a tankless water heater to pay for itself?

Tankless water heaters can eventually pay for themselves with energy bill savings, but the payback period may be long: 22-27 years for a gas tankless heater, 12-20 years for an electric. Tankless water heaters tend to last longer than storage heaters: 20 to 25 years in many cases.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ragsdaleair.com


What is the most efficient water heating system?

Uses renewable energy: Solar water heaters are the most energy-efficient water heater options available today.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on ygrene.com


Are tankless water heaters a fire hazard?

Tankless water heaters can catch fire, however, the risk is minimal. Tankless water heaters only ignite and heat water on demand. Fire risk with tankless water heaters is largely caused by gas leaks that develop. Electrical sparks near gas leaks could cause fire or explosion.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on homeinspectioninsider.com


Will a tankless water heater freeze?

While it's hard to imagine, a tankless water heater can freeze even if it's installed inside your home. Here's what you can do to fix the problem. You'll need to repair this situation quickly as freezing can cause damage and affect your running water and drainage.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on blackhillsinc.com


How much does it cost to put in a tankless water heater?

Tankless water heater installation costs $800 to $3,500 on average. Tankless hot water heater prices are $300 to $2,100 for a gas or electric on-demand system, plus $300 to $2,500 for installation labor. Tankless water heaters save $40 to $200 yearly by reducing energy costs by 8% to 34%.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on homeguide.com


How noisy is a tankless water heater?

Gas tankless hot water heaters all make noise when firing up and heating water, but the levels are usually less than 90 decibels. A decibel meter can be used to find out how loud your tankless water heater actually is.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on todayshomeowner.com


What brand of water heater is the most reliable?

Best & Most Reliable Water Heater Brands in the World
  1. A.O. Smith. ...
  2. Rheem. Rheem was founded in 1925 by two brothers, Donald and Richard Rheem – and with financial backing from a third brother, William. ...
  3. Kenmore. ...
  4. Bradford White. ...
  5. American Standard. ...
  6. American Water Heaters. ...
  7. Bosch. ...
  8. EcoSmart.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on sunrisespecialty.com


Can a tankless water heater be installed in a closet?

Your tankless water heater can be installed just about anywhere! Due to the small size of your water heater, it can be mounted in many small spaces, including closets, under sinks, in pantries, or under stair storage areas.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on e-tankless.com


What does condensing mean on a tankless water heater?

Condensing Tankless Water Heaters. Condensing Tankless Water Heaters extract the additional heat from the exhaust gases through various means and therefore exhaust cooler gases, usually around 100 degree F. As mentioned before cooling the exhaust gases produces condensation, in this case inside the unit.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on justtankless.com


How often do you need to flush a tankless water heater?

Tankless water heaters should be flushed out every year to 2 years.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on prideplumbingofrochester.com


What happens if you don't flush your tankless water heater?

What Happens If I Don't Flush A Tankless Water Heater? If you don't flush out a tankless water heater, minerals and sediment will build upon the filter and in the hose. That will affect the water flow: One that's clogged, you won't get hot water.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on broadleys.net


How much vinegar do you need to flush a tankless water heater?

Use 4 gallons (15.1 liters) of undiluted white vinegar to clean your tankless water heater. Never use chemical solutions of any kind.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on rinnai.us


Why does my tankless water heater go cold during shower?

So to avoid damage to the heat exchanger (and to avoid scalding you with super hot water), your tankless unit will shut itself off, leaving you with cold water in the middle of your shower.
Takedown request   |   View complete answer on georgebrazilplumbingelectrical.com
Next question
What does H3 mean on a tap?