Why Tankless Heaters Are Catching On Like Crazy In North America

Tankless heaters have been around for quite a while in some parts of the world, but they're only starting to really catch on recently in North America. They provide a great alternative to the old-school gas tank heaters. But this is the new trend in keeping your hot water flowing, and there are several key reasons why.

What's wrong with the old tank type heater? Well, they've worked well for millions of Americans for decades. The reason they're being phased out gradually is that they use too much energy and don't always supply you with all the hot water you need. Although in the case of some old homes it can be expensive or difficult, lots of folks are now replacing them and upgrading to this new type of heater. Here are a few reasons why.
Energy Efficient
Unlike the old gas ones, tankless heaters don't have to use energy periodically. They only use energy when you need them to. Energy efficiency is what people are all about these days, and it goes a long way to saving you money on your utility bills. The old gas ones keep a reservoir of hot water always on hand, and it has to use energy off and on to keep it hot. These heat the water at the instant when you need it.
Smaller Footprint
Because they use less energy than the older style, they're more environmentally friendly. They only use electricity or gas when you need hot water, and the rest of the time you're not wasting anything. Tankless heaters leave a smaller carbon footprint because they use less energy, and this is a huge advantage for the growing number of folks these days that want to build green.
Less Floor Space
Tankless heaters are also smaller than your standard one and they take up less floor space. For those of us with cluttered basements and garages, this can be a huge advantage. You don't have to make so much room down there. Most of them are wall mounted, which saves your floor space for other things. Because they're small and wall-mounted, you can also tuck it into a corner where it will be out of sight.
Unlimited Hot Water
One of the greatest advantages is that tankless heaters never run out of hot water. Because it heats up the water instantly when you need it, there's no risk of running out. The older ones keep a reservoir of hot water, but once you use that up, you're out of hot water for a while. This is a nice benefit, but it can also be a problem. The reason is that the older tank systems naturally limit how much hot water and energy you can use. Because you can keep using an unlimited supply of hot water with this type, you can actually end up running your energy bills higher if you're not careful.
Tankless heaters are nice, but you should be aware that there are some disadvantages as well. If you're thinking about having one put in, talk to an installation professional first about the pros and cons of each.

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