Most people think of water heaters as the traditional tanked models, standing in a corner of their basement of some similar location. They’re reliable and safe, which makes them very popular, but they’re not the only options out there. Tankless water heaters are small units installed near your sink, which instantly heat the water to its required temperature. Here in Salt Lake City, UT, plumbing services providers can install such a system in your home. But are tankless water heaters a worthwhile investment? As is often the case, it depends on your circumstances.
The up-front investment is more than traditional tanked water heaters, especially if you’re installing multiple tankless water heaters in your home. On the plus side, they can save you a great deal of money on monthly costs – up to 50% according to the U.S. Department of Energy – as well as improving the resale value of your home. They avoid the loss of heat that tanked heaters sometimes experience because they heat the water instantaneously, which means they waste less energy than tanked models do.
That efficiency, however, depends on how much water you tend to use. Ideally, homes that use less than 41 gallons of water a day tend to save the most with tankless water heaters. If you use more than that, the savings dip, cutting down on the advantages tremendously.
In simpler terms, if you have numerous members of your household, you’re not apt to save a lot on tankless water heaters. Similarly, if you don’t intend to keep your house for more than a few years, you’ll have to rely on improved resale value to recoup the initial investment. On the other hand, if you have a small household and/or you intend to keep your house for some time, a tankless water heater could be a good option. It also makes a worthwhile investment for second homes or vacation homes that you won’t be occupying every day.
Are tankless water heaters a worthwhile investment? In Salt Lake City, UT plumbing services like Rentmeister Total Home Service can help you find an answer, then perform installation with courtesy and care. Call our Salt Lake City plumbing service specialists today to make an appointment.