If you're considering upgrading your home's water heating system, a tankless water heater could be one of the smartest investments you make. These modern systems offer a range of advantages that often outperform traditional water heaters. While traditional water heaters have served homeowners well for decades, tankless units bring a level of efficiency and convenience that simply can’t be matched.

Endless Hot Water

You'll often hear people also use the term "on-demand water heater" when referring to tankless units. That's because this type of unit provides hot water when you need it instead of storing a large volume of hot water like a traditional water heater does. With a traditional water heater, you can often encounter situations where you run out of hot water halfway through a shower. With a tankless unit, you can shower for hours on end if you want, and the water will always be hot if your system is sized correctly! The endless supply of hot water is just one reason why tankless water heaters are a fantastic choice for larger households. No matter how many people there are in the house, everyone can shower back to back in the morning with no issues. That means no more arguing over who gets to shower first or complaints about the previous person using up all of the hot water. If you make sure to choose a large enough unit with a sufficient flow rate for your house, you can have more than one shower going at the same time with no problems.

Superior Energy Efficiency

It takes a large amount of energy for a traditional water heater to ensure that the water within its tank is always at the correct temperature. The fact that the air around the tank is far cooler than the water means some heat is continually lost even though the tank is insulated. This "standby heat loss" is one of the primary reasons that traditional water heaters aren't very efficient since it results in some of the energy they use essentially being wasted. It's also why a traditional unit will have to run once or twice a day at the very least even if the house is empty. A higher-quality traditional unit will typically have to run for a minimum of one hour a day even if no hot water gets used throughout the entire day. Cheaper units typically aren't nearly as well insulated, meaning they can sometimes run for up to three hours just due to the standby heat loss. Another issue with traditional water heaters is that cold water continually flows into the tank whenever you're using hot water. The cold water flows into the very bottom of the tank through the dip tube and the hot water gets drawn out of the top of the tank. Nonetheless, when you shower or otherwise use quite a bit of hot water in a short amount of time, the cold water starts to mix with the remaining hot water and causes it to cool down. This also results in some energy waste and increases the amount of time the unit has to run until all of the water in the tank is finally fully heated. A tankless unit also continually regulates the amount of energy it's using based on how many gallons of hot water are currently needed. It will always run at full power when it first comes on so that the heat exchanger gets hot as quickly as possible. Once this happens, it will then typically only need to run at around half of its full capacity and not use any more energy than necessary to meet the household's current hot water demands. On average, a tankless water heater will use at least 10%-12% less energy than a traditional unit. If you have a smaller household that doesn't use all that much hot water on a day-to-day basis, a tankless unit could use over 30% less energy.

Increased Life Expectancy

While any water heater can encounter unexpected equipment failures, tankless units are far less prone to issues thanks to their simpler design and fewer components. Unlike traditional water heaters, tankless models don’t come with the same risk of rusting and leaking—a common reason why traditional water heaters often fail within 10 to 12 years. By contrast, a high-quality tankless water heater can last 20 years or more, making it a long-term and reliable investment for your home.

Easier to Maintain

Traditional water heaters typically require more frequent and involved maintenance to keep them running efficiently and prolong their lifespan. This includes flushing the tank once or twice a year to remove sediment buildup, inspecting and replacing the anode rod to prevent rust and corrosion, and checking the heating elements or burner for proper operation. Neglecting these tasks can reduce the unit’s efficiency and lifespan, with most traditional water heaters lasting around 8 to 12 years, depending on water quality and regular maintenance. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, have simpler maintenance needs. While it’s still important to have a plumber inspect and service the unit annually, the primary task is descaling the system to remove limescale and mineral deposits—especially if you have hard water. With fewer components and no storage tank, tankless units are less prone to the buildup and wear that affect traditional models, making them a lower-maintenance option overall.

Smaller Footprint

Tankless water heaters are generally the best choice for apartments, condos, trailers, and any other residence where space is limited. That's because they have a smaller footprint, meaning they take up much less space. The unit just hangs straight on a wall and is tiny in comparison to a big, bulky tank water heater. While most people still choose to install the unit in their utility room, you can also put it inside a closet, in the bathroom, or almost anywhere else indoors. However, the installation will be more costly if you choose to install it in a different place from where your old unit is. Benjamin Franklin Plumbing® is here to help when you need any plumbing service. We have a range of tankless water heaters to suit any size home, and we also offer high-quality traditional units. When you schedule any service, you can be certain we'll arrive on time with a fully stocked van that has everything we need to get the job done then and there. To get help with selecting a new water heater for your home, contact our team of experts today.