Since cold showers are no fun especially during Western Slope winters, every home needs a water heater.There’ve been many improvements in water heaters since the first storage tank water heater was invented in 1889, such as the introduction of the tankless water heater for home use in the 1970’s.
The Pro’s & Con’s of Tankless Water Heaters
Like anything, there are both positive and negative attributes to having a tankless water heater in your home. Some of them lean toward personal choice, while others are due to the size and layout of your home. Let’s look at some of them.
What’s Good About a Tankless?
- Space saving – A tankless water is wall mounted & heats water as you need it, so no tank required.
- Hot water on demand – Because the water is heated as it’s delivered, it’s there every time.
- Endless supply – Tankless water heaters heat water as it flows through the pipes, so if there’s water coming into the unit, you’ll always have hot water available.
- Longer life span – Storage tank water heaters can corrode & generally wear out faster, almost twice as fast as their tankless counterparts.
- Energy savings – Storage tank water heaters heat & reheat water even when it’s not being used, wasting energy costs for hot water that’s not needed.
What’s Not to Like?
- More expensive – The upfront & installation costs of tankless tend to be higher than traditional storage tank heaters.
- Longer wait time for hot water – Depending on the location of the unit compared to the delivery point, it may take time to get that hot water. Add in the colder groundwater temperatures here in the Glenwood Springs area & the problem is magnified.
- Inconsistent temperatures – When more than one delivery point is engaged, there may be fluctuations in water temperature all around.
- While not extremely common, some users have had trouble in drawing only lukewarm water when needed.
- Hard water is an issue – The Western Slope area has hard water, which can be problematic for many appliances. To ensure the longevity of the particularly sensitive tankless water heater, a water softener should be installed before considering installation.
Climate Control Company has been serving homeowners on the Western Slope since 1956. We have the expertise to install a tankless water heater and, if you like, a water softener to make it run to its maximum efficiency. Call our office today to schedule an appointment with one of our friendly and professional Comfort Specialists.
